Is it okay for small boys to have dolls?

Contributor: Ash1141 Ash1141
I'm talking baby dolls or rag dolls. Not GI joes or action figures. My son is 15 months old and carries a stuffed baby doll with him occasionally. He pats it on the back and gives it kisses. I have no problem with this but other people have mentioned to me that it is wrong and quote "I am turning him gay". Lol. Obviously, I find that ridiculous but I just wanted to hear some views in here.
11/01/2011
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Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
Homosexuality is something genetic in my opinion, so I fully disagree!
11/01/2011
Contributor: Beck Beck
It is good for them to play with dolls. It teaches them to be nice to babies and how to care for something, without putting that something at risk, since it is a doll. You are not turning your son gay, you are teaching him parenting skills, nurturing, and how to show love. It is really good for the boy to have these skills. Now that does not mean that your son will not be gay, but it was not the doll that did it. Just like it was not the pink shirt or whatever else.
11/01/2011
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
I honestly don't see a problem with it. I mean, if your kid wants it, your kid wants it.

My girlfriend's nephew wanted some of those... Sqwinkies, or whatever they're called. And they're obviously marketed toward girls, but he wanted some, so her and her mom bought him a set. And he plays with them every now and then. Every now and then he 'shows signs' but no one is really worried about it much except for her brother (the father). Both of her brothers are a tad homophobic and kind of ignore the fact that she's a lesbian. Though, her brother Joey is much more tolerable of it than Jason. Jason is just kind of downright rude about it sometimes, but eh.
11/01/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Beck
It is good for them to play with dolls. It teaches them to be nice to babies and how to care for something, without putting that something at risk, since it is a doll. You are not turning your son gay, you are teaching him parenting skills, ... more
I really like this answer, so I'm going to second it. I don't see anything wrong with a small boy playing with dolls, and the people who are talking aren't raising your son, you are, so their opinions on your parenting are moot I think. If your son is gay, I can promise it wasn't the dolls or a pink shirt or whatever else that did it.
11/01/2011
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
My parents got me a baby doll when I was pretty young, in anticipation of my younger sister being born.

Absolutely it's fine for boys to play with dolls. If dolls are intended to help girls become more nurturing and caring towards babies, etc. why not give little boys the same opportunity? We definitely need nurturing and caring men and women. Same thing with little boys playing any number of traditionally "girls" games/activities. Personally I only see benefit to encouraging children to explore all sorts of activities and gender roles.

I highly doubt early play behavior influences later sexuality, but I am going to guess (and hope) that children exposed to more play experiences and ranges of gendered play are probably more likely to be open-minded, curious, and well rounded later in life.

Unfortunately regardless of what toys/activities your child enjoys I would bet by the time most kids hit kindergarten/first grade peer social pressures will inevitably slot them into more gendered categories. But at 15 months, why not encourage anything the child enjoys and is productive!
11/01/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
You can't "make" somebody gay. It doesn't work that way, it's brain chemistry and other things that are determined before birth, probably genetic.

I think little boys should play with dolls. It's sweet to see their softer side and to see them learning to nurture. (Although one of my nephews would be "loving" his baby doll one minute and using him for a hammer the next. Toddlers. ) Some boys will play with them, and some won't. I think if your little boy carries his baby doll with him, it's sweet and shows he's empathetic.

Go ahead and let him have his "baby."
11/01/2011
Contributor: GenderSexplorations GenderSexplorations
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
You can't "make" somebody gay. It doesn't work that way, it's brain chemistry and other things that are determined before birth, probably genetic.

I think little boys should play with dolls. It's sweet to see their ... more
This basically sums up my thoughts exactly. With the way boys are raised in today's society, I think they could use more nurturing skills.
11/01/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I say more power to the boy! I think it's great and I wish more young boys were taught nurturing skills.
11/01/2011
Contributor: AngelvMaynard AngelvMaynard
Both my boys had and still do dolls and stuffed animals. I used to tease my 9 year old that he had more dolls than I did! It's not a big deal in my opinion. My two have a nurturing sweet side, and it shows in their attitudes toward each other. I bought my oldest a boy doll before his brother was born and he still has it. They also are into slasher movies and shooter video games! Don't make it a big deal and it won't be, is what I think. As for what people say, tell them to mind their own business!!
11/01/2011
Contributor: namelesschaos namelesschaos
I think boys and girls should be able to play with both "boys" and "girls" toys and to learn the skill we associated with both masculinity and femininity. I wouldn't call this turning your kid gay, I'd call it raising a well balanced human being.
11/01/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
It's fine, and it's not turning him gay. That is ignorant and extremely aggravating.

I agree that it's good for him and it brings out his nurturing side.
11/01/2011
Contributor: Vanille Vanille
Sure, why the hell not?

When my nephew sees something on TV marketed towards girls, and he says "I like that." I tell him, "That's awesome, We'll talk to Santa, okay?"
11/01/2011
Contributor: TameTemptress TameTemptress
Quote:
Originally posted by Beck
It is good for them to play with dolls. It teaches them to be nice to babies and how to care for something, without putting that something at risk, since it is a doll. You are not turning your son gay, you are teaching him parenting skills, ... more
These are my thoughts as well.
11/01/2011
Contributor: dv8 dv8
Homosexuality is a matter of sexual preference; that's a different concept than gender identity. Furthermore, the latter isn't necessarily "masculine" or "feminine" because not everyone fits into or believes in the gender binary.
11/01/2011
Contributor: EJ EJ
Quote:
Originally posted by indiglo
It's fine, and it's not turning him gay. That is ignorant and extremely aggravating.

I agree that it's good for him and it brings out his nurturing side.
Ditto. I can't say it any better or more concisely.
11/01/2011
Contributor: badk1tty badk1tty
The only reason that boys like blue and girls like pink, and boys like trucks and girls like dolls, is because it's so violently and viciously shoved down their throats at an early age that they conform to it without realizing it. How many people do you know will paint their babies room pink if they know they're having a boy? Exactly.

Children attach to items at this age out of comfort, not out of anything else. Your son chose a doll, others choose blankets, teddy bears, etc. So I guess the question is, are you going to allow the people you surround yourself with to judge your son, or make him feel like he's less of a "man" (even though he's obviously a child and has no knowledge at all between male, female, or gender identity) because he likes dolls? If not, then by all means, let him rock a doll. If you think the people around you are going to think less of you because you allow your child comfort, you can choose to take the doll away, or re-evaluate who you surround yourself with.

(By the way, gender identity isn't established until well past 32+ months)
11/01/2011
Contributor: Love Perpetua Love Perpetua
I don't see anything wrong with it whatsoever.
11/02/2011
Contributor: slynch slynch
There's nothing wrong with it.
11/02/2011
Contributor: ss143 ss143
Nothing wrong with this I have two boys and they play with dolls have pink shirts if they want, when I'm doing my nails or makeup they are right behind me wanting to play with that stuff. If we ever had a daughter and she wanted to play with trucks much or gi joes she'd be allowed to as well. If my boys grow up and realize they are gay it will not be because of what I allowed or didn't allow them to play with or wear. Children mimic what they see their loved ones do good bad or indifferent it is a learning experience for them and I believe truly makes them well rounded. Trust and believe my boys will learn how to cook clean and sew not just fixing things or any other "manly" things lol
08/01/2012
Contributor: bedorerc bedorerc
My sons have dolls, I fact my sons play with dolls more than my daughter does.
08/02/2012
Contributor: clockwork451 clockwork451
There's nothing wrong with it.
08/02/2012
Contributor: *Camoprincess* *Camoprincess*
I see NOTHING wrong with a little boy playing with dolls, like Beck and many others have said it helps them learn how to be gentle to other babies. As they get older they learn some parenting skills like little girls do playing with baby dolls. Your son won't turn gay by playing with a doll, like others I believe the the day I chose to be straight is the same day others chose to be gay! I believe your sexuality is determined while you are still in the womb. So I would simply ask this person so would my daughter turn lesbian for playing with boy toys?! I mean that is just silly toys don't determine an child's sexuality when they grow up
08/02/2012