is it ok for an eight years old boy to love playing with dolls?

Answer 1

First, how many parents would rather just give a kid a toy instead of their time? How many do not enjoy playing with their kids? Is it too much of a bother to teach the child good values through the use of his or her favorite toy? Here are some things that you can instill in him? Teach him to respect these female dolls and not abuse them. Explain that real girls and women also deserve to be respected and not abused. Point out the flaws of these dolls. Stress to the child that these are only lifeless toys unlike real girls or women. If he really wants a Barbie or a baby doll, make him earn the money through performing what activities that you choose for him. Take him to the store and allow him to choose the one that he really wants. Put it on layaway. Make him get his hands dirty enough so that he will not be afraid of dirt. Teach him that to have a girlfriend, child, or a wife means that he must work in jobs that may require him to get real dirty. If this does not discourage him from wanting that doll, he must really have a strong desire for it. Trying to deny him will only strengthen the desire. After he has done all that has been expected of him. Allow him to buy that doll with the money he earned. This will give him a sense of accomplishment. He will know that to get something he really wants means doing hard work. How many tell boys that only girls or sissies play with dolls. This is how a child becomes gender confused. He knows he likes them and plays with them so his identity as a male becomes compromised. Do not let him dress in female clothes or use of makeup. Is it wrong that a male child should be attracted to a female doll as real males are to real females? It is hypocritical. What is given expectant fathers to practice on in child birthing class. Is it not a doll? Common sense has been replaced by tradition for too long. One size does not in every case fit all. We are individuals unlike mass produced products from one mold. By using the toy in a positive way, he gets to enjoy it as well as learn your family values. . Take it from one who has personal experience. The term "action figure" was created by the creator of GI Joe for marketing reasons. He knew it was a doll. However, society is void of common sense. It accepts this label for the male gender because of ignorance. As if calling it a doll some how makes a difference in gender behavior, people are blind to the truth for fear of the unknown. If playing with or owning dolls by males would in fact produce effeminate behavior; attraction to the same sex ; or gender confusion, then why has none of those things happened to me from age twelve long into my adult years? The fact is tradition has replaced common sense. If just by giving girls baby dolls in fact makes them good mothers, explain why so many have abused or murdered their real ones throughout our history? The toy itself is powerless unless the authority over the raising of the child fails to set the proper living example before it in a consistent basis. It is easier to blame a toy than take the responsability for not setting the proper example for the child. At the age of twelve, I analyzed my parents arguments and how they lived with what I knew to be true about myself. After concluding that they were basing their argument on traditional toy assignment and fear instead of fact alone, there arose in me a determination to not be denied them no matter at what price or at what age. Instead of yeilding to their will in defeat, the more I collected. For every one I bought represented in my mind a victory over ignorance. What harm had been done to me by that type of toy? It never made me spend a day in jail; abuse anybody; or damage private or public property. It was the values of my parents unrelated to these toys which mattered most to me. Though having made mistakes, I confess to not be perfect. All toys are inferior to the real things in reality.

Answer 2

If he was a little younger, I'd say it wasn't a big deal and probably just a phase, but eight years old is boardering on a little too old for this type of behavior. I wouldn't forbid your son from playing with dolls, or punish him for it, because he very well may have gender/sexuality issues he can't control OR there may be nothing off with him at all and dolls are just his personal way of promoting his individualism and stimulating his imagination/creativity. What I would advise is to start buying him some neutural gender toys and activities, and slowly remove some of the dolls from his collection. You can subtley discourage his playing with dolls, while promoting other fun activities and toys for him that are not gender specific. Then, eventually, you can work in some more boy/masculine toys. Show him that toy trucks, lego people, and action figures can have the same level of fun and imagination that girly dolls have. Try playing WITH him with boy toys to encourage him. Again, I wouldn't worry about this too much unless he is displaying really feminine behaviors or acting out against his masculinity in other ways. Then, you might want to seek some therapy...Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

Annie has a point, would you rather he was dressing up dolls or pretending to shoot things?

Kids use dolls to practice real-life relationships and social things. It's a way of rehearsing life situations and practicing skills. Make sure he has other toys available and let him play with what he likes. If he is gay, taking the dolls away won't change him, and if he is straight, then he may grow up with an advanced sense of social conduct and fashion. What's wrong with that?

Answer 4

years ago they would have said no its not normal. but these days I think its alright. I can't see any harm in it what so ever. Is it ok for girls to play with cars trains and boy toys yes of course it is so why the same should go for boys that want to play with dolls

Answer 5

As strange as it sounds, my little brother used to play with my dolls all the time when we were younger. He turned out straight and completely normal. I dont think it is any reflection on his future, it's a just childhood thing.

Answer 6

I think boys and girls should be encouraged to play with toys that aren't sterotypical of societies gender rolls. I think there is nothing wrong with a little boy playing with dolls. It will teach him how to treat an infant or little one gently. Just as there is nothing wrong with a girl playing with say pretend tools. We should encourage our children to learn not to shy them away from things because it is not typical of their gender.

Answer 7

dont really know. i wouldnt want my son to play with dolls, no matter what kind of new age spiel you put on this. he will end up weird no doubt.

Answer 8

Showing affection has got to be better then blowing things up.

Answer 9

He'll grow out of it, unless you make a big deal about it. Let it go.

Answer 10

that is a little starnge but I don't think it's something to be worried about.