Preferring toys and objects that are traditionally associated with a different gender does not necessarily have anything to do with gender identity or sexual orientation. Your
The fact that your son enjoys playing with girls' things or has qualities we typically associate with girls, such as sensitivity and gentleness, is an indication that you've been open and supportive and that you've provided him with opportunities that go beyond typical "boys'" play.
Playing with dolls is believed to offer boys many benefits such as developing imaginative play and encouraging them to be compassionate, kind and nurturing. It also helps to break down yet another barrier between us and gender equality.
Children dressing up as the opposite gender is very common (almost as common, in fact, as parents who are worried about this behavior.) But rest assured, it is perfectly normal. Dressing up and playing pretend is the activity of choice for children of this age.
Experts agree that doll play is as helpful for boys, as it is for girls as they too need to develop the same emotional skills as girls and often are deprived of that sort of emotional exploration. Boys can benefit from self-expression facilitated by doll play especially with more diverse representation among dolls.
As experts would tell you, there is no age limit for dolls. It may seem unusual in this day and age, but several 12-year-olds still play with dolls. And in a world where the internet is widespread, this may be a good thing.
Pollack stresses that a boy playing with dolls is "absolutely normal." And even if the boy would rather play with Barbie over GI Joe regularly, it's still normal. The distinction, says Pollack, is if the child says, "I don't like being a boy" or "I want to be a girl."
You could insist that he is a boy and try to put an end to behaviors such as cross-dressing and saying that he is a girl. The alternative is to let him be a girl: grow long hair, choose a new name, dress as he (or “she”) pleases, and when it is time, obtain the necessary hormones and surgeries for a female body.
Cross-dresser. This describes a person who wears the clothes usually associated with the "opposite "sex. This is seen as a form of gender expression. The word "transvestite" is not used much these days. And the expression "drag queen" is different, meaning a man who dresses "as a woman" for purposes of entertainment.
Most teenagers stop dressing up and trick-or-treating somewhere between the ages of 12 and 16 — but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad manners for them to go door-to-door, as long as they are polite while out on the streets.
“Since each toy is associated with one or more particular skills, children who grow up in strictly gendered environments are unable to incorporate one half of the necessary skills for personality development.”
By 3- to 4-years-old, in preschool settings, the majority of both boys' and girls' social interactions are with members of the same sex.
“Toy preference is natural”
More than half of these parents believe that toy preference is down to nature. 52% of the parents who said their boys preferred boys' toys said this was an innate preference. It was even higher for girls.
Boys Can too! This seems to be the question of the moment these days, but there are many reasons why it is good for boys as well as girls to play with dolls.
Develop Fine Motor Skills
Children who play with small toy trucks regularly can improve their agility and coordination by moving them around by pushing and tugging. Grasping and manoeuvring the trucks helps develop their grip strength and finger dexterity.
It can include wearing androgynous or unfeminine clothing and engaging in physical sports or other activities and behaviors usually associated with boys or men.
These behaviors do not necessarily mean your child is transgender. They simply suggest your child is getting to know the world around him and exploring what he or she likes to do. Behaviors that suggest gender curiosity rather than transgenderism include: Wearing clothes of the opposite sex.
Trans Man: Female-to-male. Trans man refers to an individual who identifies as male. Often the media, police, or scientific community may incorrectly use this language. They will base the individuals identity based on their sex assigned at birth and the gender associated with it.
Some children's self-identified gender remains stable, while others may alternate between presenting themselves as a “boy” or a “girl” at different times (sometimes even in the same day). This exploration is normal and healthy. Children become more aware of gender expectations or stereotypes as they grow older.
The only way to select the sex of your baby
The only true way to select the sex of your baby is by undergoing IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). IVF is a reproductive treatment in which eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory. When the egg is fertilized, it is called an embryo.
It is OK! Kids like what they like. Plenty of little kids genuinely enjoy and are drawn to the toys designed for their gender. A study of infants showed that babies as young as 9 months old start to show a preference for gender-specific toys.
The age range for the original Barbie fashion dolls is for kids 3 and up. “We talk to parents and kids almost every day.
Some kids may lose interest in dolls around the age of 5 or 6, while others may continue to play with them into their pre-teen years. There really isn't a "magic age" at which all children suddenly stop playing with dolls - it varies from child to child.