Calling your son sweetie pie?

[franciscanheart]

I don't even understand why this is "an issue".

[dUSt]

12 minutes ago, franciscanheart said:

I don't even understand why this is "an issue".

Because it just is.

Some would argue that masculinity and femininity are ingrained at very young ages, and it might be an important function of a productive society for masculinity and femininity to coexist and remain distinct from each other.

[Gabriela]

On 6/12/2016 at 4:41 PM, Seven77 said:

It's weird and emasculating.

^This: For both father and son.

[Anomaly]

2 minutes ago, dUSt said:

Because it just is.

Some would argue that masculinity and femininity are ingrained at very young ages, and it might be an important function of a productive society for masculinity and femininity to coexist and remain distinct from each other.

I think today's society has over stratified gender identity with crazy diversity. You can be a heterosexusl boy and be called sweetie pie by your dad and prefer to play piano over baseball.  "Sweetie pie" is not a thing unless it's artificially made a thing.   As pointed out, it beats dumbass.

[dUSt]

Just now, Anomaly said:

You can be a heterosexual boy and be called sweetie pie by your dad and prefer to play piano over baseball

But really... can you? C'mon.

[Anomaly]

3 minutes ago, dUSt said:

But really... can you? C'mon.

Yeah.  Gordon Ramsey is a closet swisher because he played with an easy bake oven...

[Nihil Obstat]

2 minutes ago, Anomaly said:

Yeah.  Gordon Ramsey is a closet swisher because he played with an easy bake oven...

Have you seen his family? Dayum. Beautiful wife, beautiful children. From the outside at least they certainly look like a family to emulate.  

[Anomaly]

Just now, Nihil Obstat said:

Have you seen his family? Dayum. Beautiful wife, beautiful children. From the outside at least they certainly look like a family to emulate.  

Yes, I have.  The point was sarcasm at ridiculous sensitivity over "gender behavior".

[Nihil Obstat]

4 minutes ago, Anomaly said:

Yes, I have.  The point was sarcasm at ridiculous sensitivity over "gender behavior".

Of course. I just wanted to comment. I like Gordon Ramsay. Use a lot of his recipes and I watch many of his shows.

[franciscanheart]

1 hour ago, Nihil Obstat said:

Of course. I just wanted to comment. I like Gordon Ramsay. Use a lot of his recipes and I watch many of his shows.

Don't tell phatmass. Admit something like that and you'll start hearing about how feminine you are. [insert eye roll here]

[Nihil Obstat]

Heh.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

Heck, Nihil has been a "brony" for years and we haven't questioned his masculinity. (Well, I haven't, at least.)

This situation has already become a "thing" because at least one parent has commented on a male parent calling his son "Sweetie Pie."

I see these particular circumstances as trying to protect a 3 or 4-year old from bullying, either by his peers or by comments from other parents. This child is too young to have to deal with that kind of stuff.

When the child is older, I sure hope that a male child could prefer piano over sports and not be bullied. If he is bullied, part of what will help him through is the boy's parents supporting his choices and being proud of their child, whether he's a piano player or a football player.

That said, every neighborhood is different. Texas has a reputation for having a "macho" culture. I'd hope that in the 21st century a male kid could play the the piano instead of football without being bullied, but maybe Texas is different.  However, if Texas IS different, it's even more important that the parents support their child's interests and dreams, especially if they are different from the norm.

In the meantime, a parent embarrassing his child in public should be reserved for when the child (male or female) is a teenager. Often the threat of embarrassment is the best tool a parent has to keep a teenager in line. "Quit grousing or I'll have to step into the middle of the school parking lot and sing the theme from the "Sound of Music" at the top of my lungs." (Any special talent can be substituted for the singing. However, the threat may be even more potent if the parent is tone deaf.  )

[Nihil Obstat]

I am not really anymore, but good example.  I am confident in my masculinity now, but at that age who knows. 

[franciscanheart]

9 hours ago, IgnatiusofLoyola said:

Heck, Nihil has been a "brony" for years and we haven't questioned his masculinity. (Well, I haven't, at least.)

This situation has already become a "thing" because at least one parent has commented on a male parent calling his son "Sweetie Pie."

I see these particular circumstances as trying to protect a 3 or 4-year old from bullying, either by his peers or by comments from other parents. This child is too young to have to deal with that kind of stuff.

When the child is older, I sure hope that a male child could prefer piano over sports and not be bullied. If he is bullied, part of what will help him through is the boy's parents supporting his choices and being proud of their child, whether he's a piano player or a football player.

That said, every neighborhood is different. Texas has a reputation for having a "macho" culture. I'd hope that in the 21st century a male kid could play the the piano instead of football without being bullied, but maybe Texas is different.  However, if Texas IS different, it's even more important that the parents support their child's interests and dreams, especially if they are different from the norm.

In the meantime, a parent embarrassing his child in public should be reserved for when the child (male or female) is a teenager. Often the threat of embarrassment is the best tool a parent has to keep a teenager in line. "Quit grousing or I'll have to step into the middle of the school parking lot and sing the theme from the "Sound of Music" at the top of my lungs." (Any special talent can be substituted for the singing. However, the threat may be even more potent if the parent is tone deaf.  )

Texas is far too large to say the state is or is not accepting of culture in a persons life, regardless of sex. I know plenty of people whose children — male and female — participate in both the arts and sports. It is never a point of mockery in any of the circles with which I am associated. I like to think it has something to do with education.

Perhaps I am ignorant, but I don't understand why a three year old would be bullied for having a loving and affectionate parent. I know a fair number of three year olds and the ones I know are more likely to make fun of you for falling that for communicating with a parent. But then, they're three.

As for parents bullying children, seriously? The way we are going to protect and help our children is by not speaking to them with love and affection in public? Really? So teach them that they need to hide who they are in order to be respected? That's dumb.

I'd like to think I could teach my children that bullying isn't kind. I'd like to think I could teach them that bullies are often ignorant or scared or hurting or some combination of those things. I would like to think I could show my child that being who you are is okay, and that being kind is far more effortless than being a jerk.

I also really hope I would never be around parents so judgmental that they needed to bully me or my kid because I used a term of endearment. It may happen, but then [reference above].

[Anomaly]

Bullying is often taught. Sweetie pie is not weird to a 4 year old unless they are taught it is.  

I wouldn't worry so much about giving the wrong message about gender role.   Is worry about giving the wrong message about kindness.   

Sweetie pie does not mean "weird girly name from weird girly dad".