How to Raise a Feminist Son

Being a woman is not a necessary feature of being a feminist. In fact male feminist are growing in number and popularity throughout the world. All that is required of feminism is an open mind and the willingness to respect everyone as an equal. Follow some steps to help you raise a son to be a feminist and continue to push societal envelopes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide what your personal feminist beliefs revolve around. Talk with your partner, if you have one, about the ideologies that you would like to instill in your child.

2. Try to establish a feminist relationship with your child in utero. Be careful not to use gender defining colors or toys to socialize your child, even though others will. You can teach them there is no value difference between the genders at a young age despite genetic differences.

3. Let your son play with traditionally "female" toys if he wants to. Teach him that the only difference between boys and girls is their physiology and that boys and girls can play with what ever toys they want.

4. Model a truly equal relationship between you and your partner, especially in a heterosexual couple. Demonstrate the strength of women and feminism to your child so that resilience of women is seen in the home first and foremost.

5. Teach your child to respect women and the choices of women including himself. Show him the value of women's contributions in society and reiterate the importance of equality of all people and to advocate those whose voice is not dominant in the culture.

Tips & Warnings

• Once your son is of the age to start dating, try to instill the feminist values of respect and equality.
• Be mindful of feeding your child traditionally stereotypical children stories where the heroes are men, and the women are helpless. Try to incorporate male and female heroes to show the strength of both genders.

Resources

• Find great resource for feminism information and discussion.
• This website has feminist friendly children's books.

[alpinist4higher]

on 2/18/2009 Respect and equality, of course but the only difference between boys and girls is physiology? Really? Why do you think effeminate males are more able to be accepted by society? Why does masculinity have to be associated with lack of compassion? What's wrong with good old fashion gender roles, as long as there is common respect? Masculinity and femininity is the difference between men and women and there is nothing wrong in that. You are correct in stating that our children are becoming more and more androgynous. Thanks to feminists and crap on tv, like Japanese anime, we have a lot of misconceptions to straighten out in our children's minds. Thanks for the article. It helps me to understand what I am up against!