Why is it that 'Boys Will Be Boys' is a valid excuse...?

Question

I recently asked a question about the boys (I call them that because even though they are almost adults, they clearly have the brain capacity of a 6 year old) in my physical education class. I often have issues with their lack of respect and the inappropriate references they make about their penis, sex life and girls I know and in general.

Many of the answers I receive were just 'boys will be boys'. When I spoke to my Mother about this, I got a similar response.

I don't understand how males can get away with being so disrespectful and they are able to use their gender as an excuse.

I know that some females use the 'headache' excuse or PMS, but these don't actually offend anyone.

So how come this is a valid excuse?

Answer 1

I've never gotten that either. I think maybe men have conned society into thinking that we're lovable retards, who can barely control ourselves.

As a result, we can act like primates at the zoo, hooting and making pelvic thrusts at the tourists as they go by and people say "Aw, how cute, they're almost like people."

Answer 2

I honestly do not know.This is something that has gone on for generations.I have a feeling it started out as something simple that mothers used to say about there sons when they would bully other kids in school,and probably still say to this day.I have said one time or two before.
Men do get away being rude and having a lack of respect by that one simple excuse.I think everyone is to blame to allowing it to go on as long as it has.There should be harsher punishments for the way they behave instead of people just laughing them off.
At lest woman have a valid medical excuse for out behavior(PMS)and that has been documented,as for the "boys will be boys"last time I heard there was nothing of the sort.

Answer 3

Dear Sarah,

"Boys will be Boys", is not a valid excuse for disrespectful, or harassing conduct. It is, at best, an acknowledgment of a culture's failure to rear their male adolescent males properly.

Furthermore, passage of a bill, by a legislature, does not make an adolescent an adult. Did one always reach their majority at eighteen in New Zealand? I ask because, I didn't attain my majority until I was twenty-one. I couldn't vote, purchase alcoholic beverages, or enter into contracts until then.

Also, bear in mind, there was a time when a male adolescent entered the work force, after completing about eight years of education. He entered an environment, where he was in the company of males, of a broad age range, i.e., fellow adolescents to grandfathers.

Such an environment, was more likely to foster maturity, than spending your entire adolescence, in the company of other adolescents. Today, the eight years between thirteen and twenty-one, are to a large degree spent in school, i.e., high school, and college.

Larry.

Answer 4

The "boys will be boys" excuse is just that an excuse.It in no way validates bad behaviour or bad choices.This old cliche does not have a leg to stand on unless people are willing to accept it."Accountability fosters responsibilty " should become the new norm.

Answer 5

Has it ever occurred to you that the expression,'boys will be boys' can be a clever way to cover up and dress up an unpalatable or an ugly fact like,'scoundrels shall never change,no matter what's the season or a reason' ?The saying has no place in a modern civil society,boys or no boys.

Answer 6

Hi Wabby, Not in my book it isn't. There's No reason to be disrespecting girls or women with their dirty little mouths.
A Friend,
poppy1

Answer 7

It works the other way as well Wabby, "girl will be girls" is also a common expression.