The Greatest Parents in the World

[jjkrkwood]

Over 20,000 people have shared this photo of a boy wearing pink shoes.

 

Because they're fabulous? Well, maybe, but mostly it's the controversy surrounding the photo.

 

It was first posted on Facebook on the Have A Gay Day page, purportedly by the boy's big sis. She wrote:

"Yesterday my mom posted a picture on Facebook of my 5-year-old brother Sam wearing a pair of shoes he picked out for his first day of preschool.

 

She explained to him in the store that they were really made for girls. Sam then told her that he didn’t care and that 'ninjas can wear pink shoes too.'

 

However, my mom received about 20 comments on the photo from various family members saying how 'wrong' it is and how 'things like this will affect him socially' and, put most eloquently by my great aunt, 'that sh*t will turn him gay.'"

 

Ever since then, the photo has caused a comment conflagration as thousands- like the mother's relatives- object to the child being allowed to wear "girl" shoes.

 

Some worry that wearing the shoes will scar him, and some worry that the other kids who see the shoes will scar him.

 

Others laud the wisdom of a mom letting her son be himself, even as he is figuring out who that is.

 

We say that a boy wearing pink shoes doesn't mean anything more than the boy likes pink shoes! Obvi pink shoes don't magically turn you gay!

 

Adults only associate blue and pink with gender roles because someone told them to when they were little!

 

It's a ridiculous, arbitrary cycle! And the more of those we get rid of, the better!

 

Whats your thoughts on the Parenting skills demostrated in this Story ???? (IMHO, AWESOME)

 

http://i.perezitos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/boy-pink-shoes__oPt.jpg

[Guest countryboywny]

Beside the obvious ignorance or "that shit will turn him gay", I think a lot of people make these decisions based on what "other people will say or think.. equally ignorant. I applaud this boy's parents for letting him wear what he likes and to hell with what other people say. The kid is only 5 years old for God's sake.

[+ nycman]

The kid is a homo

 

Grin

[corndog]

I'm really conflicted about this.

 

On one hand, I applaud the parents for their progressive, enlightened thinking about gender norms and individuality.

 

On the other hand, I think that this could potentially set the kid up for ridicule that may follow him for years. A big part of their job as parents is to protect children from harm. If this kid just whimsically decided he wanted to wear pink "girl's shoes," I think that it would be prudent for parents to protect him from the cruelty that his peers are likely to inflict.

[jjkrkwood]

The kid is a homo

 

Grin

 

And ????

[KMEM]

I hate to "predict" the life of another but I have to agree with nycman, this kid is at least a "potential" homo. I also agree with corndog, enlightenment is wonderful but ridicule lasts a long time.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[jjkrkwood]

I'm really conflicted about this.

 

On one hand, I applaud the parents for their progressive, enlightened thinking about gender norms and individuality.

 

On the other hand, I think that this could potentially set the kid up for ridicule that may follow him for years. A big part of their job as parents is to protect children from harm. If this kid just whimsically decided he wanted to wear pink "girl's shoes," I think that it would be prudent for parents to protect him from the cruelty that his peers are likely to inflict.

 

I would truly believe that he was expressing himself, and THAT is who he is. For his parent to support his choices is a major step. I knew early on I was Gay as well, and when my parents caught me in my moms high heels, it didnt go over that well, in fact I got a beat-down. Didnt change who I was, only now I wear more EXPENSIVE heels than my mom ever could. :o

[seeker630]

Taking parental support one step further...

 

Not just talking the talk but walking the walk!

 

http://gawker.com/5938676/father-of-the-year-helps-dress+wearing-son-feel-comfortable-by-putting-on-a-skirt-himself

[+ deej]

Much ado about nothing. As usual, somebody wants to tell somebody else what to do.

 

The whole pink/blue thing is actually a relatively modern contrivance, and when it was first coming into fashion the colors were reversed. Children of both genders used to be dressed in simple white cotton dresses until age 5 or so.

 

Ummm ... here, this explains it.

 

Let the kid be happy.

[jjkrkwood]

Much ado about nothing. As usual, somebody wants to tell somebody else what to do.

 

The whole pink/blue thing is actually a relatively modern contrivance, and when it was first coming into fashion the colors were reversed. Children of both genders used to be dressed in simple white cotton dresses until age 5 or so.

 

Ummm ... here, this explains it.

 

Let the kid be happy.

 

I agree, and the kid will be who he will be, homo or not, regardless of the color of his shoes. More important here is relationship between the parent and child. In this case I see a very healthy, supportive one that will take the child further in life than his "girly" shoes. There is really not much you can do in life about ridicule, harrassment and bullying. It will always be something, and for the most part this anti-social behavior is relegated only to a small fraction of the population when you look at the bigger picture.

[corndog]

If the kid is really expressing his homosexuality or gender dysmorphia at an early age, then, yes, he should, by all means be supported. However, if he simply hasn't yet learned the cultural (and arbitrary) meaning of pink and blue, then the ridicule isn't worth the lesson to be learned. I agree with deej that the pink/blue thing is a contrivance, but it is what it is, and the kid doesn't deserve the trouble he'll get if he simply doesn't understand the statement he's making.

[jjkrkwood]

If the kid is really expressing his homosexuality or gender dysmorphia at an early age, then, yes, he should, by all means be supported. However, if he simply hasn't yet learned the cultural (and arbitrary) meaning of pink and blue, then the ridicule isn't worth the lesson to be learned. I agree with deej that the pink/blue thing is a contrivance, but it is what it is, and the kid doesn't deserve the trouble he'll get if he simply doesn't understand the statement he's making.

 

Well corn, again I agree but some lessons in life are difficult to learn, but when you learn them, you are better off for it. Although i love pink now as an adult, I was never a big proponent of the pink/blue thing for kids. I have always opted for pale yellow or mint green for infant defining gifts, and advocated the child being able to "choose" what he prefers to wear, rather than opposing antiquated standards on them.

[Bosguy]

This is no different than a young boy who chooses to pursue dancing versus youth baseball. He has a right to do what he chooses and his parents have a right to support him. Thought we were moving forward. The outcome of how HE chooses to pursue his adult life is his choice. PINK or BLUE are archaic

 

Boston Bill