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Crossdressing toddlers

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After seeing tweets from moms like @tamiya_t of her little boy happily playing with a pram, it got me thinking. I have no problem with  boys and girls dressing up as the opposite sex. Little boys walking in their moms shoes or wearing their sister's skirt for fun - it's innocent and cute.

But do all parents feel the same?


I asked our Facebook fans what their reaction would be if their toddler wanted to wear clothing stereotypically meant for the opposite sex. Some of the answers were sweet while others were surprising.

I wouldn't allow him/her. - Marlise Snyman

No, I wouldn't. They should know from young that they are little boys and little girls and can't dress up as the opposite sex. - Diann Hutchison

I feel like I'm being hypocritical because I'm open minded, but I'd draw the line at my son wearing say, a skirt, to school, although I can't verbalise why. At home my little boy (2 years) copies me (I'm a single mom) so he pokes in the make up bag and tries to wear my necklaces. - Claire Winson

Let her wear what she wants to. This is the time they are exploring. My child walks around with her dad's hat which muslim men generally use for prayers. She also wears my head scarf occasionally. I think it's adorable! - Farhana Nanabhai

They are learning and discovering who they are becoming. I get nasty comments from close-minded folk when my 3 year old son pushes his toys in a toy pram, so he pushes a pram! And? I don't get why some people are so gender fixed. - Fiona Crowley

Let them wear what they want when they are little, they have their whole lives to be pressurised to conform. - Tania Roux

When I make tutus, I always test them on A2 for size. He loves prancing around the house and looking at himself in the mirror. That being said, I would swear this boychild was born with a car in each hand. His first sound was brrrrmmm and his first word was 'car'! Kids are innocent. They don't care about stereotypes - why force your views on them? - Tamiya Tenner

(Read the rest of the responses on our Facebook page)

Is it normal?


Not too long ago Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and her parents were the talk of the town because she wanted to dress like a boy. As far as I'm concerned, young children don't have any perception of what gender truly is and if your son chooses to play with dolls while your daughter likes rugby, then so be it.

We can't force our own preconceived ideas on to our children without causing harm so rather step back and let them learn and grow on their own.

Follow Robyn and Parent24 on Twitter


What do you think about children who want to wear clothing meant for the opposite sex?


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