The reporter intimated that girls and boys would enjoy shopping in that part of the store! Then the reporter became excited when she spotted a toy cleaning playset (broom, dustpan, mop, etc.)... the perfect gift for her son, who loves to clean up!
Reminded me of my year in kindergarten.
For play time, my kindergarten class of about 30 boys and girls was divided into five unisex groups. Each group took turns each day playing in different play areas: sandbox, toy blocks, art, play house, etc.
When it was my group’s turn to play house, us boys played at being mommies, never daddies. Some of the male mommies donned frilly aprons and “cooked” in the play kitchen, while other male mommies tended to the babies ― bottle-feeding Betsy Wetsy dolls and changing their diapers after they wet. When Betsy was dry, male mommies could push their babies around the classroom in doll carriages.
In addition to the frilly aprons, there was a toy box containing pocketbooks, high heels, lady’s hats and adult-sized dresses. There were not enough items to completely outfit each mommy, so we would select just an item or two for our femulations. (I usually tried to get a pocketbook and a pair of high heels.)
None of the male mommies rebelled at being feminized (by our two female teachers) and some of us really got into it by affecting “female” characteristics, such as speaking in a higher pitch and using fabulous mannerisms.
Initially, I felt embarrassed playing a mommy, but it did not seem to bother the other boys, so I played along like a girl with the rest of the boys.
I wonder if any of my fellow mommies became femulators like me.
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| Wearing Nine West |
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| Nancy Ng Santa’s Helper HO photo |
Very cute Santa outfit
ReplyDeleteThings ended very differently at a summer preschool I attended when I was five years old. I persuaded two or three of my male buddies to join me in a raid on the girls' dress-up area. I was barely able to touch a coveted high heel shoe before the teachers swooped down in force, dragging us physically from the scene. My "friends" sank back into the woodwork while I was screamed at for several minutes about my inappropriate behavior and, apparently, corrupted morals. There was no further punishment, but I was smart enough never to go anywhere near the forbidden clothing again. I don't know (but would certainly like to) whether they ever told my mom about the incident. At least, it was never mentioned at home.
ReplyDeleteI love this photo!
ReplyDeleteThis post reminded me of one of my earliest memories of wanting to wear girls' clothes. When I was in elementary school (I can't recall the grade), our class was putting on a Christmas play and each student was given a role. I still recall being envious of the boys who got selected to be elves because their costume included green tights. Oh, how I wanted to wear them! Maybe that's when and where my love of colored tights began.
ReplyDeleteCiao! Elise
My kindergarten class did not have a dress up trunk. However, when I was seven I was chosen, along with five other boys, to play girls in a skit that was presented at my summer day camp on parent's day. I did not volunteer nor did I want to play a girl's part. Once I was all dressed up I felt ashamed and I was mercilessly teased.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about 10, I went to a YMCA Halloween Party. In the party room with about a dozen other boys we were told to sit on the floor in a circle. A girl walked in and sat down beside me. I realized she wasn't a girl, but a boy dressed up as a girl for Halloween. I didn't know who he was, but he was wearing a powder blue dress with puffed sleeves and white trim, a wig, earrings, and lipstick. When he sat on the floor next to me I realized that he had on nylon stockings, just like my mother wore.
I wondered why he'd come dressed like a girl.
I don't know why, but I began to wish I'd come dressed as a girl though I wouldn't have had the courage to try. It occurred to me that maybe he liked wearing dresses and perhaps that was why he'd come that way.
I didn't act on those urges for a couple of years, but finally one evening I was home alone and I decided to dress up in my mother's clothes. Being 12, I could fit in her dresses and I found a pretty yellow chiffon cocktail dress to wear. I put on a bra, a slip, and nylons stockings. It felt so good. I couldn't stop looking at myself in the mirror while walking and twirling in my dress.
At the time I thought I was the only boy in the world who liked to do that.
Emily
I realised that my parents did not want to hear that I liked dressing so I had to do everything I could to make sure they didn't
ReplyDeleteIt was not easy hiding my interest and I do not think I succeeded
Lucy