In Your Professional Opinion.....

[Lilbutterflie]

YES YES YES!!!

I feel okay sharing this b/c my hubby shares this story with others... but my DH had an older sister when Cabbage Patch Kids were in their prime. They both had one, and they both remember their full names on the birth certificates. He had the boy doll of course. Now he is an amazing father to our two kids. And he is one of the most masculine men I know.

[MommyMuffin]

I hope my next baby is a boy!! And if he wants to play with a doll by all means yes!

[missnikki]

At 2 1/2, they don't know the difference between being a boy and being a girl, until they start potty training or watch the diaper changing. Gender roles haven't emerged yet and to them, playing with this toy is the same as playing with that toy. It's the uptight parent that tries to mold instead of foster their child's perceptions of their place in the world.

[Unregistered]

This is one of my DD's favorite books.
Hits the nail on the head for this subject.

http://www.charlottezolotow.com/willilams_doll.htm

[DCMomOf3]

I agree with the others, yes, without a doubt.

[sahm2three]

Many years ago at my former center there was a boy who was almost 5 years old. He carried around a doll. A brand new baby doll. He wanted one so the parents bought him one. He never played with it, just carried it around. Like a security blanket. He had an older sister and an older brother so it wasn't like he had younger siblings. Eventually the other kids were making fun of him and it wore on him so he stopped bringing the doll.

I now care for a 2.5 year old boy. We were finishing up lunch and there was a commercial for Baby Alive (I think it was BA). He said "I want that" I said..."you do?". He said "yes I do". He has a baby sister (5 months old). I said "well what about D? You can play with her". "No, I want my baby to do flips!" ::

Which brings me to my question. In your professional opinion, do you think it's ok for a boy to play with dolls?

Absolutely. I have a bunch of baby dolls and baby doll equipment and the boys play with it along with the girls. Nuttin' wrong with that!

[melskids]

i can tell you something i find pretty sad...

my mother thinks its absolutely horrible that her SIL bakes with and teaches her gransons how to crochet. my mother would NEVER think to do those things with my boys because they are "girly" things to do. and my mom really isnt into the "boy" things either, so she is really missing out on developing close relationships with my boys because of her stereotypes.

[laundryduchess@yahoo.com]

of course, thats not even an issue here, if ANY dad had an issue with their sonplaying with a doll here,... I would have to tell them to either keep their attitude about it quiet,.. or find someone else. Boys and girls shouldnt be put into a gender mold. Let girls play with hammers, and boys play with Barbies. no issue here.

[countrymom]

I agree with every one else. I have 3 girls and 1 boys (he's #3) and he is so relaxed easy going kid who loves to give his sisters facials, do their nails and play house with them (he's 8) and the girls love him at school so much that my dd's tell me all the time how the girls fight over him, but he can be rough and mean too. I think when he's older he will really benifit from being with girls and playing girly things---btw he loves to cook, can sew, but can't remember where he leaves his coat ,gloves,hat or homework so I hope he finds a wife that can help him find his items. (my ds has an easy bake oven)
what makes me mad are the dads that don't want their sons to play with anything girly and want them to be mean and bullies, so I don't tell them what their boys play with.

[MyAngels]

One thing I've always wondered about when this subject comes up - why is it no one really poses the question: Is it okay for girls to play with trucks? It's a sad commentary on our society as a whole that it's acceptable and even admirable for women to challenge the traditional gender roles, but if men do it, it's seen as a weakness.

Nightline had an interesting story last night about fathers in Sweden who are able to take extended leave when their children are born - basically similar to maternity leave here in the states.

I agree with the PP who said there are no girls toys or boys toys, just kids toys.

[Aya477]

As I once heard a pediatrician say: "if you want your son to be nuturing and learn how to nurture, you should encourage him to play with a doll or similar toy that resembles a person or child".

[sproutswi]

Why would there even be any hesitation? Yes. A million times - YES.

I have to agree with this as well.

[missnikki]

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
-Robert Heinlein