Poll: Father in rural Germany finds his young son likes to wear dresses; does the same to show solidarity.

[Blood Brain Barrier]

Why should this kid care if his father wears a dress? I don't see any act of bravado on the father's part, just a desire to revert back to childhood when he can be a kid and have fun again. I don't see his actions helping anything, in fact they are taking attention away from the problem of why this kid's dress preference is a concern to the rest of the world.

 

[Ed Classified]

I would be okay with it. I would warn him that he'll be treated differently by others, but hey whatever makes you happy. As for wearing a dress myself, I respect the father in the picture for his solidarity but I would pass on that one.

 

[chadachada123]

I'd probably see if he likes kilts instead, just to give him a better chance of making friends, but I certainly wouldn't have a problem with a five-year old, even if he's mine, wearing dresses.

Honestly, I don't like dresses to begin with, just because they're so impractical, so I'd chastise someone for that reason over any other.

I'd wear a kilt along with him, but only because those are infinitely more comfortable than dresses.

 

[sextus the crazy]

I don't see why society is all freaked about dudes wearing dresses.
Ladies wearing trousers don't automatically become lesbians.

They don't?! Oh, man.

OT: This is a feel good story that fills my heart with warm shit.

 

[Signa]

Dad of the year.

Though I'm not sure how good this is in the long run. 5 years old isn't really old enough to be making these decisions consciously, and the dad giving him an example of people conforming their lives to match the kid's expectations (no matter how shallow they may be at this moment) might not be the best thing. I remember when I was 5, and if my home life supported such a decision, I probably would have laughed back at everyone telling me I was wrong.

As it was, at that age I was thrilled to use the kindergarten urinals because it was a fixture that wasn't in my house and never would be. It was a special thing to have access to one. Well, when it came to taking a piss, I'd do the Butters Stoch thing of dropping my pants and lifting my shirt. It was what I learned at home, and it worked effectively. What I didn't learn is that it wasn't a good idea to do it in front of 10 or so other kindergarteners. Their laughter did nothing to me. I don't even really remember their daily reactions as much more than a buzz in the back of my mind while I was just taking a piss, because I didn't give a shit. Eventually, one of the nicer kids offhandedly mentioned the harassment to his mom (slapping my cheeks had recently become part of the ridiculing, another thing I was just flat-out ignoring) and she called my mom to tell her what had been happening. I'm finding a hole in my memory around that point, because I feel like something was done to make things better (perhaps I named names that were harassing me and they got talked to? I do seem to remember being asked.), but I don't remember actually taking steps to avoid that harassment. I might have just gone to the stalls to do what I needed to do.

Long, embarrassing story aside, I see this as a potentially similar thing. The kid just might not get that others will look at him differently if the dad is wearing the same clothes. I think the dad might be better off supporting his choices and letting him grow the way he wants without making him feel normal for it. It's the parent's job to make their kids become the best people they can be, and if you prepare your kid for nothing of the social dangers out there, then you're doing him a disservice, no matter how loving your support was.

 

[Rainboq]

Snip

-le snip-

I believe the term is gender bending, or cross dressing.

Compromise and buy him a kilt

Dude, wool is itchy as all hell. Besides, what's wrong with a dress?

Actually, my grandfather used to describe it as the most satisfying way to relax in public. He wore one every Sunday, even when he came over to the states. Kilts are just plain awesome.

Fair enough, I had a Scottish friend of mine complaining to me about them, so I was going by what he said.

Compromise and buy him a kilt

Dude, wool is itchy as all hell. Besides, what's wrong with a dress?

Same thing that's wrong with pants: it's not a kilt.

I suppose, but the kilt is a predominately male item.

cross dressing really does freak me the hell out, and yes I really hate drag queens when they're around me...

Honestly, people can do whatever the hell they want...dress however they want, act whoever they want and love whoever they want...Just don't do it with me, or around me.

So I have no idea how I'd handle my son if he was like that..

Any idea why that is?

No idea. Both my parents are tolerant and accepting of all people, and I've always had the opinion that all people should be treated as equals...
I know when I tell people I don't like drag/cross-dressers/extreeeeemely effeminate men and 'stallone' looking women...They assume I'm homophobic. I'm not. I like gays. I have quite a few gay friends, both guys and gals'. Like I said, people can love and be whoever they want.

But I cringed when I saw the Rocky-Horror Show and hated watching it; for example...I don't know why it be, but it be.

Could simply be that gender roles are just simply deeply ingrained in you. And when we feel like people are violating such things, it tends to make us really uncomfortable.

 

[prophecy2514]

No idea. Both my parents are tolerant and accepting of all people, and I've always had the opinion that all people should be treated as equals...
I know when I tell people I don't like drag/cross-dressers/extreeeeemely effeminate men and 'stallone' looking women...They assume I'm homophobic. I'm not. I like gays. I have quite a few gay friends, both guys and gals'. Like I said, people can love and be whoever they want.

But I cringed when I saw the Rocky-Horror Show and hated watching it; for example...I don't know why it be, but it be.

Could simply be that gender roles are just simply deeply ingrained in you. And when we feel like people are violating such things, it tends to make us really uncomfortable.

Or it could be the fact that you plain just dont like seeing men or women or trans gender men or women in fishnets and revealing apparel because its unattractive (to you), not gender roles.


OT: gotta say good on him, wish there were more people out there like him.

 

[Greni]

If, later in life, this kid repeatedly gets the shit kicked out of him for wearing dresses, we'll know who to blame.

I would blame the bigots with a world view so narrow that they have to resort to physical violence any time something conflicts with their pathetically outdated and uneducated opinions.

You, dear sir or madam, have just won the rights to my entire internets for that reply.

Edit: Suppose I have to say something about the OT if you hadn't figured already.
Of all the things that are going on in the world, triumphs and failures of man, Mars exploration and deforestation; lesser minds dwell on pop culture, celebrities, and a boy wearing a dress.

 

[bandman232]

Hm. Well, If I was the kid's father, i would wait until he's a little older to explain some things to him. I couldn't encourage him wearing dresses, but I would discourage it either. I'd simply just wait till he's older then have a talk with him and see how he feels. He would understand things a bit better. 5 is a bit young to enforce that behavior if he doesn't know what it means.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

lesser minds dwell on a boy wearing a dress.

It would be a mistake to let our intelligence make us cold. Achievements on a massive scale are great indeed. But to reach a point where we perceive the tiny victories, every last courageous act by each individual who composes our race, as unimportant or for "lesser minds" is the day we totally lose sight of what to strive for a better humanity in every regard. It might not be big. It might not even be that meaningful. But its something. The triumph of a kidney donor who saves a life is equally as important (probably mores so) to someone as the Mars rover is to us. The courage of this father to utterly spit in the face of those who would mock his son for doing what he wants by standing with him is commendable. And worthy of celebration. We cant let the large victories render the tiny ones unimportant. Intelligence doesn't ensure kindness. And the tiniest acts of kindness are what makes up the greater whole. I think its only right to dwell, for a single moment, on the lengths a father would go to make his son feel normal and wanted by society even if it goes against everything he was raised to think is proper.

 

[Greni]

lesser minds dwell on a boy wearing a dress.

It would be a mistake to let our intelligence make us cold. Achievements on a massive scale are great indeed. But to reach a point where we perceive the tiny victories, every last courageous act by each individual who composes our race, as unimportant or for "lesser minds" is the day we totally lose sight of what to strive for a better humanity in every regard. It might not be big. It might not even be that meaningful. But its something. The triumph of a kidney donor who saves a life is equally as important (probably mores so) to someone as the Mars rover is to us. The courage of this father to utterly spit in the face of those who would mock his son for doing what he wants by standing with him is commendable. And worthy of celebration. We cant let the large victories render the tiny ones unimportant. Intelligence doesn't ensure kindness. And the tiniest acts of kindness are what makes up the greater whole. I think its only right to dwell, for a single moment, on the lengths a father would go to make his son feel normal and wanted by society even if it goes against everything he was raised to think is proper.

I feel you misunderstand me friend. The father is indeed a hero of sorts and I am not making his actions seem small in any way, I honor him and his doings with all my heart.
My comment was aimed at those (thankfully) few who where rather outraged at this, like we are living in the fifties where real men wore a suit and a hat, twirled their mustaches while the women giggled and agreed with their husbands.

It also seems rather queer to me that this kind of thing is worth such heat and debate in this day and age, probably because where I come from a boy liking dresses is no big deal. If he'd turn out gay than he's gay, if he turns out a full blown cross-dresser then he'd probably like Eddie Izzard in the future.

Point is I find this overblown and not worth such a fuzz.

Also pope in pimpin' dress:

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

I feel you misunderstand me friend. The father is indeed a hero of sorts and I am not making his actions seem small in any way, I honor him and his doings with all my heart.
My comment was aimed at those (thankfully) few who where rather outraged at this, like we are living in the fifties where real men wore a suit and a hat, twirled their mustaches while the women giggled and agreed with their husbands.

It also seems rather queer to me that this kind of thing is worth such heat and debate in this day and age, probably because where I come from a boy liking dresses is no big deal. If he'd turn out gay than he's gay, if he turns out a full blown cross-dresser then he'd probably like Eddie Izzard in the future.

Point is I find this overblown and not worth such a fuzz.

Also pope in pimpin' dress:

Ah i did misunderstand you. Sorry for the impassioned speech! I agree with the idea about the negative attention and debate. Also the dress is totally bitchin. That isnt an opinion. Thats objective.

 

[TehCookie]

Girls wear pants, guys should be able to wear dresses. Then again I don't get the whole gender thing, since that just seems to be based off of social constructs of what girls/guys should be. People should just be themselves.

 

[Lionsfan]

This is wonderful for the record, nice smile to add to the day. Thank You.

As for the question my Wife and I are about total gender equality when it comes to our kids. Honestly, while we'd would accepted our child no matter what the preference we would like them to be bi like his/her parents. We both agree that there are some cross gender guys that are just beautiful and can pull it off perfectly.

pic snip

There are better pictures, but they are DEFINITELY not appropriate for the forums.

As long as my child isn't harming others or himself I don't give a damn what he does as long as it makes him happy. I do acknowledge that such... well for lack of a better word "lifestyles" can cause ridicule and misery to him. I will say I'll be there for him as much as I could.

---------

Pre added statements to avoid future arguments.

There isn't anything physically wrong with men wearing dresses. Both boys and girls used to wearing dresses for over 2 centuries. Also lets not forget than women were not allowed to wear pants until very recently.

I'm sorry but I kind of tuned everything out....that's a dude?

 

[NightmareWarden]

I'd clap for this guy if he could hear it. I honestly doubt I would have the backbone to handle the situation as he did, so more power to him. That man, is good people.

I'd come to a compromise, and make him wear wizard robes.

That'd be cool in it's own right.

 

[ElPatron]

I'd get my son a kilt, red beret and a .303 Lee Enfield.

No compromise.

The child still needs to understand difference in clothing for the genders.

Why? In the future we will all be wearing all the same overalls and have our jobs chosen at birth. In the Moon.

Might be the more selfish option, but I would not allow it (at least while hes a small child)

So you mean that when he can actually blend in a crowd and look like a girl you're not going to let him do it because of shame, but when he gets hairy legs and face he's free to stand out like a sore thumb?

Wat.

For example, this is going to be amazing unless the kid grows up this way and decides he wants to get a job. No employer will hire him simply because that's not how things work. It's horribly depressing, but it's kind of true.

>sue employer for discrimination
>get moneis
>repeat for infinite moneis

I'm pretty sure that as silly some countries get, there are places in the world where the employer feels pressured to hire a guy that wears dresses over people who are more qualified for fear of legal action.

 

[Hawk eye1466]

I bet the kids just doing that so he doesn't have to be potty trained.

 

[JeffBergGold]

Why do I hate femininity in men? I feel like they are killing nature the way it designed us to be.

You should probably reflect a little more and get some wider perspective on the issue, because that is a strange reason to dislike something. Modern diets, spending your time in front of a computer and technology are all, in many aspects, destroying the way nature designed us to be.

The only way nature has "designed" (which is a bad word to use, because there was no design) us to be is to survive and pass down our genetic material. That's the only reason we are here. There is no point forming opinions about whole groups of people because you feel that they go against nature. One could argue most things we do goes against nature.

I know it's not a good reason. I just know that male femininity illicits a strong response in me. When I see or am around an effeminate male It feels as if I am being personally attacked.

The only logical conclusion I can draw is that masculinity and being a male are both things that I highly value and a part of my identity and that males who aren't masculine make me feel that maleness and thus my identity is under attack. That is the best I can come up with. I'm still trying to figure out why I feel this way.

 

[AzraelArmond]

I'm not saying this is what is happening here because I do not know the culture of rural Germany and I'm sure it varies from point to point.

But to all the people saying this is awesome while believing that culture is hostile to such a thing and fully admitting the child is too young to understand what he is doing:

Using any child to further your political agenda is never forgiveable no matter how noble that political agenda may seem to you.

You never have the right to make your child suffer because you want the world to change.

If your child lacks understanding it is your duty to guide them down the path of least resistance until they understand.

Simply put your child should be more important than the world to you. To use your own child as a tool to further your own ends is dehumanizing your own child. I don't really care what the cause is.

 

[easternflame]

I had never considered this, nor am I a father, however, armchair opinion time!
I would endorse the dress wearing and copy this man by wearing one myself.
Armchair opinion over.