To know me is to know that I can’t stand it when parents make excuses for boys just because they are, well, boys. He’s just being a boy. That’s what boys do. That’s how boys play. He doesn’t know any better.
I’m not sure why people are content to sell boys so short. Sure, some boys play rough…but some don’t. Some love video games and zombies…but some don’t. Some love cars and trucks and racing while others love sports, sports, sports. Some love art, music, and numbers while others love books, writing and playing pretend. The point is that boys come in all shapes and sizes with all different interests and passions.
But no matter the interest…boys should learn the concept of mutual respect. They should learn about space, boundaries and taking no for an answer.
It’s time to put an end to the excuses. If we teach them now – if we plant the seeds early – we can raise a better generation of boys. The stories of assault on college campuses just keep coming in. It’s alarming on every level. We might feel powerless on some level, but we do have the opportunity to change the way we socialize boys. And that begins with higher expectations.
My little boy melts my heart every single day. He’s sweet and sensitive, kind and empathic. He looks out for others and always extends a hand when someone falls. While some of that comes from within, we’ve never expected anything less. He is capable of so many things, and kindness is certainly one of them.
Stop by mom.me for steps to raising respectful boys. We’re all in this together.
