by Sarah Singh

Created on: March 05, 2010

Of course boys should be taught how to sew if they want to!  Why are we still debating this question living in the 21st century?  It still comes as a shock to me that parents and professionals that work with children still have a rigid and narrow mindset.

The biggest mistake that society makes is prescribing gender roles!  Boys should not only be taught how to sew, but also to cook, clean, and be self-sufficient just like everyone else.  Each individual should be encouraged to be the best well-rounded individual that they can become.  

As a country, we have made great progression towards justice and equality.  We have focused greatly on "women's rights" issues and the self esteem of women.  Women have been juggling all tasks and responsibilities that were previously associated with being "a man's job".  As a women, I am admitting that sometimes we neglect looking at developmental aspects of men.  

Development starts at a young age.  Parents should encourage their boys and girls to perform all sorts of tasks and to acquire all sorts of talents to be successful in the future.  Sewing is one of the hobbies that should not be exclusively open to girls alone.  Boys can benefit from learning sewing as well.  It is a good hobby for brain development.  You can also argue that it is a good hobby to develop hand eye coordination (so you people out there who are sexist, don't worry the boy will still be able to excel in sports).

A huge self-esteem and moral booster for a child is to encourage them that they can do anything that they want to do.  Girls should be encouraged to go beyond playing with dolls, sewing, and learning ballet and take on activities such as sports and karate.  Boys should be encouraged to go beyond developing a macho personality on the playing field and do some home activities such as cooking and sewing.  

When parents, educators, and coaches become more open minded, children will become more well rounded and we will make great progress as a society.  This will also encourage interactive play between all genders and ages starting early, and better learning can take place as a result.

We should work together to help our children, who are leaders of the future, by encouraging them to be the best individuals that they can be.  Lets break down the barriers that define gender roles and hinder self-esteem, and lets provide them with the confidence they need to grow.  It will not only benefit them in the long run, but society.

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