There's a lovely piece on a lovely story by Tim Teeman in today's Times; 'Pretty in pink: the princess boy'"Dyson, 5, wears dresses every day and he loves sparkly tutus. His parents explain why they decided to tell the world."
This has got quite a bit of coverage in the States - some of course wondering why the heck the kid hasn't been seized by social services.
But as there's been so much in the US media recently about gay and effeminate kids killing themselves, you'd think people would applaud and be moved by the acceptance and pride shown by the parents in their son, Dyson.
Would people prefer it if they stuck with tradition and tried to beat it out of him?
Mom has written a childrens book, My Princess Boy - which is being republished by big hitters Simon & Schuster next month.
My favourite quote comes from Dyson's dad.
"Dean, a sports-mad jock dad, whose “man cave” has its own TV and a wall of football jerseys, says that he was bought up to accept people for who they are. “I’ve had other dads say, why are you letting him dress like that? I look right past it. I see the happiness in his eyes. If, later, he looks at the pictures of himself now and says, ‘Dad, I can’t believe I did that but how cool was it that you supported me’, we’ll have won.”
Here's the local TV show that broke the story last month with an interview with the whole Kilodavis family.
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The Times ends the piece with - but of course - a quick Q&A with sa child psychologist...
ReplyDeleteI have a ‘princess boy’. What should I do?
Dr Laurie Zelinger, a play therapist and child psychologist, says:
“It is normal, when you’re a child, to dress in the clothing of the opposite gender and to be attracted to glittery things, as long as that doesn’t eclipse other behaviours. As well as dressing as a princess, Dyson climbs trees and plays sport, which is great.
Parents who feel uncomfortable with their son dressing like this should read the research, and find other children or other parents who have done or gone through it. Let your child experiment and encourage the use of his imagination, as directing his play may make the lure of that forbidden activity more powerful. Make clear to him that your love is unconditional. Gently prepare him for the possibility that others may not like what he is doing. As well as letting him wear dresses in safe play settings, encourage him to — for example — use a towel to be an action hero’s cape as well as a dress. And, if you feel you need to, set some parameters: say, “Yes, it’s OK to wear a dress at home or in certain places, but not everywhere.”
Parents who feel uncomfortable with their son dressing like this should read the research...
ReplyDeleteParents who feel uncomfortable with their son dressing like this should grow the fuck up.
Lovely story, Fagburn. Thank you.