Mean parents?

I never thought much about this, until my DDs homestudy teacher(that comes once a month) got so excited that I let her play with blocks and cars, she said it would form a well rounded adult, and it was astonishing how many parents only let their children play with gender specific toys. I think the dad is a little insecure, the type of toys a child plays with at 5 is not going to make him a "sissy" or "macho". However if I that's the case I guess my daughter is going to be one awesome stunt driver/construction worker, because she can make a pretty cool bridge to launch her hotwheels off of!!

I think the father over reacted. My husband is a little concerned when our son plays with dolls but I remind him that our son is the only boy with two sisters and playing with dolls will make him a better father when he gets older. I see nothing wrong with it, my son is 4. The mother needs to speak up and defend her little boy. She is not a slave to her husband, she has a say in their childrens lives too. I think both parents are wrong in this matter.

I think the father is being overly protective of his son and is treating his son meanly. Nowadays, I think it is great to see boys and girls playing with toys that were once seen as girl only toys and boy only toys. I remember once when I was working in a Pre-school a little four year old girl came up to me and said, "when I grow up I want to be a doctor and no boy can tell me that girls cannot be doctors". I thought that it is great that she wants to be a doctor and that she was taught at a young age that girls can be anything they want to be. It is sad that the mother will not stand up for her son and that she was sadly taught when to talk and when to keep quiet.

The dad could have talked to the child properly instead of shouting at him. There should be respect. It will be traumatic for that child and I guess in the future he would not be open towards his parents because he knows he'll only get reprimanded when he does something they don't approve of.

Thats very mean, the dad is just showing off his insecurities, that may actually make it even worse. You have to allow kids to explore different things and define themselves. As for the mom, I don't think she knows her place, I would never allow my husband to do something like that to my kids. Parents are the role models, we are here to love and educate our kids. I feel for that kid. :(

Yes I would have to say that the dad is mean without a doubt and the mom is either old fashioned or spineless. There is no way I would treat my future son like that. When he is a child he doesn't know what is meant for girls and what is meant for boys nor does it matter. A girl can play with GI. Joe's just like a boy can play with Barbie's if he wants to because it will help them learn as well as improve their imagination which is crucial for a child.

Please keep a close eye on this household. You may need to call in child services sometime in the future. Yes, there are still dumb dads out there who think their child is 'ruined', especially little boys, if they don't play the 'right' games. These parents can turn into physically, as well as verbally abusive beasts. If that becomes the case, please do not hesitate to call in help. Your name can be kept away from the abusers. Hugs, Maggie

maybe the father just teaches the boy to be tough. but hen the father start hurting this son just because he is acting a little soft then that would not be good. the sad thing is we can not just interfere with the way they raise their children.

That is emotionally stressful. I don't think that kind of mentality would work. We are actually letting our nephew to play the doll because of course I don't see anything wrong with it. If the dad is like that then I am expecting that his son is a kind of man who lacks confidence at all. He can be effeminate.

That's so horrible, this guy is really ignorant... He's breaking the child's personality. Only in his tiny little head a boy is supposed to like ball. If it was so ALL MEN were soccer players today, but we have artists, singers, engineers, drivers...what's the thing with certain guys and playing ball? How stupid.

Hi! It must have been really hard on you having to watch a “disagreeable” scene, wanting to do something but unable to do so. The family must be ultra conventional believing choice of toys affect gender. And pity the child and the pliant mother. I myself believe that it makes more than choice of toys to make a child’s gender.

Hi there justmeok, Happy lotting, i think it is fine to be hard on kids, as long as there is no verbal or physical abuse. Usually this kinds of kids become successful in life because of disciplined upbringing. I wish i was brought up in a way so that i don't act sissy and childish like.

In my opinion, that father is the truly parent cos he only wants his son to have correct gender orientation so he avoids his son to play something which is so girly as playing doll. This father has thought for everything could be happen in the future such as gender disorientation cos there are so many boy who act as girl and dislike to do act as boy. But it would better if this father remind his son in calmer way cos each child has his own tendency in something which is more interesting for him. So, it is better to be wise person.