Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

I have been a dancer practically my whole life. I competed in ballroom, and obviously my partners were guys. DH can not dance to save his life.

When I mentioned dance class for Cailen someday, you would have thought I told DH that I wanted to dress him up in a pink tutu... needless to say, DH already reacted to the idea - I told him - lets not make a decision yet...

BUT - come ON - there are many boy dancers, and not that I'm concerned about Cailen's sex appeal at this point, but nothing is sexier than a guy who can dance! The guys that I have danced with - some have been gay, but many have been straight - and not for nothing, if Cailen is going to be gay, he'll be gay even if we put him into football...

What are your thoughts on this?

Does anyone here have sons who have taken dance classes? I'm not just thinking ballroom, but also hip hop... cool dance stuff....
I used to take a hip hop class with adults and kids, and there were so many boys in the class who kicked a s s when dancing!

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

yea, umm my DH would DIE if I told him i wanted to put our sons in dance....he would say something along the lines of "whats wrong with soccer or football?!" lol!

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

I have been a dancer most of my life (competed as well) - I stopped when I was about 24. I am DYING to put Michael into tap - I just LOVE guys who tap dance. But DH is completely against it, so unfortunately I can't push the issue. But it goes both ways - I wouldn't choose to put my daughter into softball or basketball, but that's just me. We both grew up in homes where boys did the sports and girls did the dancing... I know, so out of date, but I guess it's hard to break away, although we are one of those parents who got their boy a kitchen! I have to see what happens!

BUT something like karate or martial arts I would totally put my daughter in that!

Also, just wanted to say that IF my daughter or son came to me and wanted to do something the was "gender specific" I wouldn't deny them the chance to try it.

Edited because I can't get my words straight, lol

Message edited 4/27/2007 5:21:50 PM.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

Posted by MichaelsMommy

I have been a dancer most of my life (competed as well) - I stopped when I was about 24. I am DYING to put Michael into tap - I just LOVE guys who tap dance. But DH is completely against it, so unfortunately I can't push the issue. But it goes both ways - I wouldn't choose to put my daughter into softball or basketball, but that's just me. We both grew up in homes where boys did the sports and girls did the dancing... I know, so out of date, but I guess it's hard to break away, although we are one of those parents who got their boy a kitchen! I have to see what happens!

BUT something like karate or martial arts I would totally put my daughter in that!

Also, just wanted to say that IF my daughter or son came to me and wanted to do something the was "gender specific" I wouldn't deny them the chance to try it.

Edited because I can't get my words straight, lol

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

I'm a dance teacher and DH told me there's no way DS will be dancing. I told him that I can understand him not wanting Luca to be in a class full of girls, but that I was going to teach him how to tap at home. I don't think he's thrilled about it, but he'll just have to deal.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

I danced up until I was 18...my cousin owns a dance studio and EVERYONE is asking me if I will put DS in dance. DH said we will leave the dance lessons for our girl

Message edited 4/27/2007 7:10:02 PM.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

DH and I don't really care.

I don't think that putting a boy in dance classes will make him be gay, I think you're born gay or straight, so that isn't a concern for us.

We're not limiting what our kids can and cannot do based on gender roles

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

My very boyish 8 year old takes hip hop. He loves it. We have absolutely no problem with it. He also excels at sports and plays them too. The only thing is he prefers it to be called hip hop class and not dance class. I am so glad he has the confidence not to be embarrassed. His older siblings know and think it is cool. Nothing like a guy who can move when they get older.

stephanie

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

Well, considering that my DH cringes when Jack picks the pink polka dot placement and not the blue one for dinner and gets a little freaked out when he sees Jack using my Cabbage Patch kid to mimic things I do with Molly....dance class is pretty much out! I was a musical theatre junkie...and danced as well. I would LOVE to put both Jack and Molly in Irish step class, but I know DH would flip his lid if I even brought it up for Jack. I think it is HOT when a guy can dance and/or sing. As soon as Jack is able to be in t-ball and pee-wee soccer, I'm sure he'll be signed up.

It is true there is a double standard becasue I played sports and took dance as a kid and there is nothing odd about that.

Message edited 4/27/2007 8:41:20 PM.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

Message edited 4/27/2007 8:51:22 PM.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

Posted by nrthshgrl

Posted by lipglossjunky73


ITA - and its not a concern for us if he will be gay or not - I think DH is concerned how his fellow peers will view him...

As someone who has a son that wants to wear ties & blazers to school, I can tell you it's definitely a concern. Right now I'm focused on getting him to stay with the pack....Baaa, Baaa be a sheep Little Boy.

We dance around the house but we're not encouraging him to take dance. I think my DH would have a heart attack.

If he wanted to take dance, we'd have to really consider it. The kid already sticks out like a sore thumb.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

I have a similar problem. I love music and play piano and would love for my son to take piano lessons. He is already showing signs of being very musically gifted. However, DH claims that playing piano is not for boys and if I want to give someone music lessions, we now have a daughter for that!

I personally think that it is so sexy when a man can play piano and out of all the guys I know who do, only one is gay. So, I am going to fight for this!

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

I would like DS to take Irish Step Dancing lessons, and I know DH could care less either way.

But I know that very few boys will take those classes. I knew boys that loved it and danced with their sisters but would not take the lessons. And the number one reason was how other kids would react.

So I wouldn't pressure him obviously, but I think it would be unique and fun

Message edited 4/27/2007 10:57:18 PM.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

Posted by WhatNow

I have a similar problem. I love music and play piano and would love for my son to take piano lessons. He is already showing signs of being very musically gifted. However, DH claims that playing piano is not for boys and if I want to give someone music lessions, we now have a daughter for that!

I personally think that it is so sexy when a man can play piano and out of all the guys I know who do, only one is gay. So, I am going to fight for this!

Message edited 4/29/2007 1:48:38 AM.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

See, this is why I'm glad that alot of these classes for the pre-schoolers are during the day. What DH doesn't know won't hurt him.

I told DH that if we ever had a boy that I wanted him to learn to dance (tap, Irish step), and he said NO WAY!! Well, Mommy will find a way... Especially since he already said he wants Marron to be in karate as soon as she is old enough, and he wants her to play sports and be a tomboy!

Message edited 4/29/2007 3:10:04 AM.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

I hope to enroll Josh in some tap classes or something. DH is fine with it. DH can't dance to save his life, so a little help can't hurt

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

I would like Noah to be involevd in something, whether it be Sports, dancing, horseriding (thats my #1 choice for him) or whatever he wants!! As long as he enjoys it and it keeps him off the mean streets of Manchester, I will be happy.

Also, yesterday I took him to the park and he pushed around his friend Esme's baby stroller and baby doll and he freaking loved it. Sometimes he put his ball into the stroller too. I think I might pop out and get him one today to push around the house. My husband doesn't care.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

Is it that the DHs who are opposed really think that dancing will make their son gay or that they are afraid of the perception of their son taking dance classes? It hasnt come up so much for us but I know my DH would probably make a face if I brought it up. Over the perception though not bc he thinks it means anything. If one of my DS's said they wanted to take dance class, I dont think he'd forbid it. ("try to" forbid it LOL) I never would stop them from doing what they want. I am watching my kids already for cues about where their interests lie. Despite my beliefs already that #1 is my scholar, #2 is my athlete and #3 is my musician, if they want to do something, I will not oppose.

It is hard for boys though bc its true what was mentioned upthread about girls getting away with tomboy stuff but boys needing to struggle with stuff that is typically considered "for girls". I wonder when, if ever, that perception will change.

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

While I do unfortunately follow some of the gender stereotypes, I am definitely not bound by them. I dance with DS and DD in the living room while watching "Dancing with the Stars" (not very well, but we have fun... ). I watch a lot of my car shows with DD on my lap (she's only 1, but by the time she goes to school, she will know more about cars than almost any boy she meets.... ). DS is in karate now, and we are going to put DD in as well. DW is a great cook, and I really want to encourage both DC to learn how to cook. DS and I vacuum the house together. Right now, we are not looking into dance classes, but it's mainly because we don't have a background in dance. I have a background in karate, hence that direction. I would have no problem if DS started dance class. I've heard that many pro-football players take dance classes because it makes them quicker on their feet, so ballet is VERY manly....

Re: Spinoff on kitchens for boys... things that are considered "gender specific"

My DH is all about making my son go into dance classes...he is a GREAT dancer and I agree that there is nothing sexier than a guy that can dance. We are starting ballroom classes at Arthur Murray next week. DH really wants Vincent to learn how to BREAKDANCE...because he never learned that. He wants me to find breakdance videos and says that when he is bad he is going to make Vincent watch them as a punishment!