Why Are We Not Raising Girls The Way We Do Boys? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why Are We Not Raising Girls The Way We Do Boys?

Sugar and spice and everything nice; that's what little girls are made of.

13
Why Are We Not Raising Girls The Way We Do Boys?

As the rhyme says

“What are little boys made of?

Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice and everything nice.”

For Memorial Day weekend I went home to spend some time with my family. There’s a community pool that my family has been a part of for as long as I can remember, and my little sister and I went to swim for a while. While I sat on the pool deck reading, I found myself watching a game of ‘water basketball’ that was happening in front of me. At first it made me smile: it was nice to watch this family (I presume) play a game together, but slowly I started seeing a familiar scene play out. This game was made up with three adult men, a teenage boy, and a younger boy and younger girl maybe around 12 or 13. As I watched I noticed that all the guys were roughhousing and playing, tossing the ball to each other every once in awhile making a basket, but the young girl was left in the back shouting “I’m open! I’m open! Behind you! Pass the ball!” Not only did no one pay her any attention, but no one even bothered to guard her as if she was no competition at all. Every few minutes or so, the game would go on pause and she would be given a pity pass and they would pretend to include her. I wondered if the reason for all this was because she just wasn’t any good at basketball, but when she did manage to get the ball she had no trouble making a shot. The young boy was not being treated in the same way he got to wrestle and play with the guys, he got to be included.

I felt for this girl immensely. I remembered times in my childhood feeling this way. In my immediate family we had mostly girls, so we all played rough--guys and girls alike. But I can think of very distinct times with cousins and extended family that I was not allowed to play, or like this girl, was only made to believe that I was part of the game. I admit, these circumstances were slightly different than the one I was watching because I was usually much younger and much smaller than the boys who were playing, but the feeling that I was not wanted there, and not included was just as strong.

I wonder at this situation, and situations like it. I wonder why adults worry at accidently hurting little girls more than little boys. Why is it that little boys mustn’t hit little girls, rather than children not hitting children? There is something believed about girls, that they can’t (or shouldn’t) get dirty, or play rough, or play with the boys. Girls can’t play in the same ways boys do, they have to play gently or be played gently with, as if a bloody nose or black eye hurts more for a girl than it does for a boy- It must be because girls are made with sugar and spice rather than flesh and blood.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

2234
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

448813
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

21254
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44320
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments