If your 2 yr old son really wanted a Barbie?

Question

would you buy it for him?
or steer him toward the GI Joe dolls?

I only ask this because I watched the 60 minutes special on gay or no or whatever it is called. They show a pair of fraternal twin boys. One of them is just like any other boy, the other boys room looks like a girls, he paints his fingernails too, but dresses like a boy. They say he wanted a Barbie as a little boy. But me, I'm thinking, if my 2 year old wanted a Barbie, I just straight out wouldn't buy it and refuse any requests for girl toys.

What would you do?

This is a hypothetical question, only regarding your opinions on a subject raised by the show. My son hasn't asked for a Barbie. I'm just asking if.

Answer 1

A Barbie is an inappropriate toy for a 2-year old, so no, I wouldn't buy it.

That said, you can refuse to buy the kid girl toys, but that isn't going to have any impact whatsoever on whether or not he turns out to be gay. So if that is your rationale, then you are wasting your time.

On the other hand, in your defense, a boy playing with girl toys is likely going to have a difficult time getting on in a world where all the other boys are going to be playing with boy toys. The teasing would likely make his childhood rather miserable. Steering him toward the boy toys would help remedy that situation.

Then again, one more thing: if you buy him boy toys, and he wants girl toys, what if he simply takes the boy toys and plays with them in ways that are not... how should I say this... are not how those toys were intended?

Ultimately, it is your call. Either way is a difficult situation. That said, if your kid is two, likely you have little to worry about. He doesn't even know the difference between a Barbie and a GI Joe anyway.

Answer 2

I have 2 boys ages 6 & 3. When my 6 year old was about 3 he wanted a baby doll. I was pregnant and I didn't see what it would hurt. So I bought it for him and he 'cared' for it....like you would a stuffed dog but he tried. He had fun and it helped him learn a little about his baby brother that was coming. He has also played dolls from time to time w/ one of his cousins (just because at her house thats all she has) and he is fine. I do not see anything wrong w/ a boy playing with a girls toys. A toy is a toy and a barbie is not going to turn your son gay. Like someone else suggested - get him a boy barbie. Both of my boys are BOYS w/ the trucks and cars and dirt, etc butif they are bored and there is nothing else to play with they'll make do w/ whatever...even a doll.

Answer 3

Homosexuals have said that they were born being gay and it was not a choice.
I'm not sure if I even agree with what you're hinting at as well as whatever show you watched was hinting at, whether or not a 2 yr old boy wanting to play with Barbies automatically means they will be gay.
But let's assume that it is true that they are born liking those of the same sex. Do you honestly believe that refraining them from playing with girl toys will STOP that?
And besides-what would be so bad about having a gay son anyways? They'll be the same child that you brought into this world and adore. Being gay shouldn't change that.

Answer 4

That's funny you mention A "GI Joe DOLL." Cause either way they are both dolls and you can't get away from it. GI Joe's came out because boys wanted to play with Barbies, and God forbid that happen. The same thing with Dora and Diego. One had to be made for boys because the boys were liking what Dora was doing! For my children, my daughter prefers her trains to her dolls, but still like her dolls. My son likes whatever his sister has in her hands. I personally do not want Barbie's in my home, but if it came down to it, I would not mind my son playing with a Barbie.

Answer 5

Get the kid a Barbie.

Toddlers are interested in faces and the human body since they are easily recognizable. Because a child wants to play with a doll doesn't mean a child is gay or confused about their gender. Furthermore, defining a "girl" toy as "bad" could create embarassment, sexism, or confusion in your child.

Also, in general, children do not develop a gender identity until they are 4-5 years old- up until that point boys and girls are mentally and emotionally on the same plane.

Answer 6

My grandson loves Dora The Explorer. I bought him, not only the house, but all the rooms of furniture, along with Dora, Diego and all of the characters! His father wasn't happy. I didn't care if he was or not.
If we encourage our children to watch Dora the Explorer and other educational programs, why would it make a difference if they wanted to have the dolls to go along with the characters we're encouraging them to watch.
This is why our kids are so confused these days. Why is it wrong to allow a little child to play with a barbie doll? I had a GI Joe doll when I was little because I thought girls were shallow and preferred to shoot b-b guns and play with trucks and cars. I still love cars.......NASCAR, but that doesn't make me strange, or Gay, or anything else, other than someone who has a mind of her own and was taught that I can think for myself.
Oh, by the way, I'm married and have 3 children, 1 grandson, and another on the way. And best of all, I'm happy because I am who I want to be, not what everyone thinks I should be. :o)
Stop reading so much into things and our children will learn not to do so either.

Answer 7

I have a two year old and thank god he has not asked me for a barbie. I think if he asked for a barbie I would show him the Ken doll and purchase the more boy type toys to go with it. I'd keep it simple and not stress too much, I don't think barbies turn kids gay

Answer 8

If my son wanted a Barbie I would get him a Barbie. That doesn't mean he will be gay, it simply means he wants a Barbie. My son has a baby doll that he plays with, he feeds it, pats it's back...
He also plays with balls, trucks, and cars. Would u also steer a girl away from GI Joe or matchboxes and towards Barbies?

Answer 9

At two years old, they probly wouldn't know the differance between a girls toy and a boys so what does it matter....to them its just a doll....not a girls doll or boys doll. Personally, I wouldn't go out a specifically buy a "Barbie" for my son, but if he get ahold of one, I would not worry about it. It just a doll that looks like a person to them. My two year old for example, likes purses...not because of the fact that its a purse, but because it has lots of buttons and zippers that he can open and close. That does not me they are gay or straight or whatever.....

Answer 10

The only thing shows to be caused by boys playign with dolls, is to be more sensitive and more caring parents. My 13 month old boy plays with babies and if he wanted a Barbie and I coudl afford it at the tiem he woudl have it. Society had no problems when my 12 yr old daughter wanted ot playw ith trucks and collected Matchbox cars as a toddler, so whats the difference?