Can nail polish define sexuality? Apparently so. Well according to some
other people who have passed comment this week.
Tamika and I always paint our nails and
Jarvis often likes to potter around with us. So this time when I did my nails,
Jarvis kept pointing at his toe nails, we just put some polish on his big toe
nails. I did this and then forgot about it.
My pedicure
That is until another person made the comment “are you trying to turn
your son gay?” I stood there dumb founded, and did not answer. Really? Really
would someone really think that nail polish defines someone sexuality?
Jarvis's offending nail polish.
Jarvis is a rough and tumble boy, who likes to mimic his big sister and I. In
this instance it included nail polish. Other boy children of our family have
worn nail polish. My great-nephew who is 10 months old than Jarvis will often
rock nail polish, just to be like his two older sisters. So in our family we
think nothing of it. In no way have we ever thought nail polish would define or
change a child’s sexuality.
Are we the only family who think nothing of painting a boys toenails?
Has any other parent ever had something like this said to them?
Ridiculous! Nope the boys over here get painted too, my nephews that is. Eamon hasn't been interested yet. Love your foot tattoos by the way. I have one in the same place.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea what to say. I never knew it was 'wrong' to paint a boys toes nails. PHFTED! What ever! If Jarvis wants to wear a full face of make up he can.
DeleteThey are my Dad's cancer stars. Each time my father has been diagnosed with cancer and the beat it, I get another star added to it. Twelve years ago he was given six weeks to live. My stubborn Father's answer was "I think not". And has so far proved them wrong. I like looking at if and being reminded to live each day as if it is a gift..
I am shocked someone said this to you! How silly, and very ignorant of them.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how to respond. Just stood their
DeleteI'm totally floored that someone would have such ignorant thoughts! There is no such thing as turning someone gay. In no way, shape, or form does painting a child's nails determines their sexuality. I would of had a hard time keeping my cool when that person said that to me, and I'm the furthest thing from confrontational. Paint those cute little toes all you want!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat made me sad, besides the stupid comment, was that she was implying having a gay child is a bad thing. I would/will love my child no matter what
Deletethat's what i was going to say— the underlying issue is the belief that something is inherently wrong with being gay. like of all the things you could "let your child do" i think painting a toe nail is the least detrimental.
Deletei'd like to think i would've said something like "so what if i am?" or "and what's the problem with that?" or even "piss off" but i know i would be floored speechless as well.
Doesn't it annoy you when you say nothing at the time, but later you have the best answer?
Deletesadly I am not surprised that someone thought that, but I am surprised that someone SAID it to you. so wrong. you paint sweet jarvis' toes if he likes to join in! of course it isn't going to turn him anything (as if you can 'turn' gay anyway). and so what if he is gay? seriously. (shakes head).
ReplyDeletep.s v nice colour polish too!
Maybe this nail polish is magical and can "turn' things that cannot be turned?
DeleteThe polish is Tamika's lucky that she lets me steal all of her beauty products.
ignorance is everywhere - don't let it define your or your children!
ReplyDeleteMy 3 year old nephew loves to watch any woman put on make up and often asks for his own to be applied which I happily do - children's imagination is so precious and if a bit of eyeshadow helps him to believe he's spiderman (or woman!) who cares!!??
It says a lot more about the adult than it does about you as a parent - keep painting his nails!!
I agree that it says a lot about what sort of person she is. I will continue to paint his nails and let him put on make-up when ever HE CHOOSES. That is just is it is Jarvis's choice not mine.
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ReplyDeleteStupidly I said nothing. You know those moments when words and thoughts leave you. But then latter on you come up with all of these wonderful replies.
ReplyDeleteyes a friend used to say i would turn my busby gay by making him wear pink baby vests (the hand me downs of 2 older sisters!) i also sat dumbfounded!!
ReplyDeleteI often dressed Tamika in blue, but no one said anything. But why is it with a boy I, and obviously other, get this reaction?
DeleteKids at this age don't even realize the difference between sexes. According to psychologists it's totally healthy for little boys to play with "girly" toys. Because this is what it is for them...a game! I had issues with some people who insisted that letting Nereus play with kitchen utensils would make him gay! I wonder if all the hundreds of bakers and cooks who live in this world are gay! I knew a lady who used to buy only guns for her toddler to make him a "man"!!! Now, what's healthy?
ReplyDeleteI am so against guns as toys, I would prefer Jarvis to play with a Barbie. How stupid to the comment about the cooking utensils! Jarvis loves these so much I have made a cupboard of stuff in the kitchen (that is all safe) just for him to play with. His favourite at the moment is the sifter and pie tins.
DeleteI have had the gay comment too many times re my son and his hair length. Just recently a stranger asked me "Are you going to cut his hair or are you hoping he'll turn out gay?" I said "no, no , no I'm really hoping he'll turn into a girl". I know it was a stupid reply but I said it with a straight face and her reaction was priceless. Some people.......Tanya
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent response! Love it. I get asked if Jarvis is a girl all of the time (must be his mullet) which does not bother me. But being asked if you are trying to turn your son gay, is insulting on soooo many levels.
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