My Princess Boy is a picture book about a young boy who likes to dress up like princesses and likes the color pink. However, in the book he is constantly laughed at for being himself.
I was reading his book to my second grade student today. The moment the plot developed, I couldn't help but connect this little boy to the sociology lesson we've been taught the past week. This boy was being mocked for being too 'girly'. Not only that, the parents were also laughed at by the society for letting and even encouraging their son to be "girly". Even more interestingly, I asked my tutor student what she thought of this boy. She simply answered "I don't like it".
This enforced the lesson we've been learning in sociology. From a young age boys are taught to be "manly". That they should not only participate in sports, but excel in that direction. They should hide their emotions-especially emotions of sadness. Yet, emotions like anger are acceptable to express-and even enouraged to do so.
The sociological influence these young boys receive have been seen to have a direct influence upon violence. Most school shootings the past years have been done by white, middle class, intelligent males that were pressured and made fun of their "girliness" or "gaybaiting".
Hearing such a strong dislike for that little princess boy from my student was a major wake up call. She's only six years old and she "doesn't like" this princess boy. This intolerance of princess boys will stay with them while growing up, and only make them less understanding of people like that.
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