Troubling our comfortable norms

With a bit of publicity of late, this blog has had a sharp rise in visitors. I like that! It’s also brought with it some folks who rightfully question why I write this blog. In particular, there are questions about whether I’m somehow pigeon-holing Q and/or whether my appreciating things like his love for purple [...]

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Mechanically-inclined

This morning, Q was looking through a catalog, pointing out things to me that he was interested in. The list included a take-apart model of the human body, a model of a solar house, a robotic arm, and many marble runs.

He’s really interested in how things work — looking carefully, taking things apart, etc. Out [...]

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Being a “stereotype breaker” isn’t always easy…

Today Obama signed into law the Hate Crimes Bill. Inclusive of gender identity. Groundbreaking stuff, I tell you. And not an easy path. I have yet to hit the airwaves, so to speak, to here from those who decry this action. And yet I can’t help but honor those who have given their blood (literally), [...]

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Disrupting Norms

So, to follow up on my post about gender segregation among kiddos in play, as well as the amazing responses that folks offered on the various things we think are at the root of this, I ask for your thoughts again.
How do we start to disrupt these patterns? One “I only ‘comment’ in person” commenter [...]

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What is it with gender dynamics?

I’m so very curious about gender dynamics among kids. Really and truly curious. Not curious in the annoyed sort of way. Honestly.
So here’s what I’m curious about: Why is it that, especially as they get older, girls tend to gravitate towards girls (for play, hanging out, partners in school things, etc) and boys to boys? [...]

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Gender Funneling Part II

I love reading pieces where folks take on normative conceptions of gender roles. Or how society tries to force folks into prescribed molds, even if it means stuffing a round peg in a square hole.
A wonderful example, here, on Rachel Maddow and how the mainstream media deals with their discomfort around her butchiness. The author, [...]

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Something cool about my kid

We were talking today about going clothes shopping.
Q: “Oh! I LOVE clothes shopping!”
Me: “Do you have something in mind that you’re looking for?”
Q (considers for a bit): “Well, a few more ties. Kids’ ties. (pause) And dresses and skirts.”
How cool is that? Ties and dresses and skirts. He’s definitely got a penchant for the fancy, [...]

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Superbowl thoughts

As Bruce Springsteen plays in the background and the wife and I work on dualing laptops, I HAD to add a few thoughts about the Super Bowl. I’ve been a waxing and waning football fan since my early youth. Diehard Redskins fan. Then not so much. Then in college and a bit after it wasn’t [...]

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A Plateau

Things have gotten comfortable around here lately. And by that I mean, I’ve gotten comfortable. I think that we’ve made it through many of the potentially discomforting situations, such as Q wearing a skirt to school, wanting to play mostly with girls, explaining stereotypes to peers, me answering questions about his clothing choices, etc.
And with [...]

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