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

[Hipsy_Gypsy]

I doubt I would wear a dress alongside him, but I also don't really see any harm in letting him dress how he wants, especially at that age.

I do, however, think it's very important for a parent to teach their child what the expectations of "normal" society are. That's not to say that those expectations are always right or always to be obeyed lock step, but it's a mistake to pretend they don't exist. All that will do is cause the child undue distress in the future. It's better for the child to know beforehand, for example, that there are many people who will take issue with his wearing a dress than to have him come home devastated after he gets home from school on his first day due to comments from the other school children and possibly school staff as well.

I agree wholeheartedly with you here, actually. And the part that I highlighted in bold there is so, so true. It's ridiculous and downright disgusting how teachers will be ignorant and even rude over many things in general, not looking at the issue at hand specifically. I hope I made sense there, haha.

 

[Beliyal]

As it is, dresses are designed to accentuate the female figure, which is one of the reasons it can look a little jarring on a man. Especially a well built man. Can you imagine a male body builder or athlete in a dress? It would likely look comical.

I'm 194cm and 95kg, and I'll guarantee that no-one will ever design a dress that would look good on me. I dare anyone to try!

Not really a dress [http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7NKdPLFL8mk/TT_sHb1RvgI/AAAAAAAAAHc/XwJKszEoSag/s1600/greek-ancient-greek-clothing-2.jpg], but pretty damn close [http://www.mmdtkw.org/toga.jpg]. Or maybe something shorter [http://www.aurorahistoryboutique.com/products/A000079.jpg]? EDIT: I was ninja'd by the poster above me. Damn!

I'd be really happy if men dressed like this, but granted, I guess I have this fetish on ancient stuff. But you can't say you wouldn't look good in this! I've seen a lot of people role-playing as Romans and they all looked awesome.

On topic, nice dad. I've always wondered why this is such a taboo. If the kid likes a dress, let him have the dress. He'll probably grow out of it in a few months. And if he doesn't, the world won't end. He might be teased, but honestly, we shouldn't blame the poor boy or his parents because other people are dicks. And nobody can truly tell of other kids will pick on him; maybe they won't. If you grow up with something, you'll consider it normal. Growing up with that boy who wore dresses will probably make you think that a boy who wears dresses is nothing strange.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

Nah, I'd handle this differently. Just like that guy isn't into pseudo intellectual bullcrap about gender roles, I'm not into the whole "You can do anything you want and ignore society" way of life, because it's simply not realistic, and it never will be.

My feelings exactly, it's not realistic to teach kids that you can do whatever you like and just tell society to piss off.

OP:I would stop the kid from wearing a dress.

 

[NemotheElvenPanda]

I wore dresses all the time when I was the kid's age. I didn't wear them because I thought myself a girl, but that they were simply pretty or it was fun. Even if that wasn't the case, it's no big deal. Let kids be kids. Mad kudos for the dad letting his son be himself.

 

[Montezuma's Lawyer]

I wish my father was as accepting as this father is.

 

[excalipoor]

Snip

You're disqualified on the grounds of these being tunics, not dresses at all!

Now a toga, maybe...

Edit:

Sorry, I got really carried away with that.

Well, I can see that... Still, I can only accept two of those.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

Nah, I'd handle this differently. Just like that guy isn't into pseudo intellectual bullcrap about gender roles, I'm not into the whole "You can do anything you want and ignore society" way of life, because it's simply not realistic, and it never will be.

My feelings exactly, it's not realistic to teach kids that you can do whatever you like and just tell society to piss off.

OP:I would stop the kid from wearing a dress.

I find this post mildly off, considering your avatar has made a living out of telling society to 'piss off' whilst wearing arguably effeminate clothing.

Sir, I'll have you know that I would never wear something effeminate! Now then I'm going to put on another blouse.

haha

 

[Palademon]

This guy's so great, I hope we get a good guy german dad out of this.

I'd wear a kilt. I'm not against dresses, I'm just easily embarassed by societal stigma, and besides...it'd be hard to find a dress that didn't look silly because they're deisgned with female figures in mind.

On the other hand, I do plan to cosplay as Ayumu Aikawa

Spoiler

Cuz real men aren't afraid to dress as magical girls.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Well done that dad. Way to show support, whatever that support might be.

 

[Froggy Slayer]

I would like for there to be more man dresses like the romans and the greeks wore. Those things look manly and comfy; it's a win/win scenario. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with a guy wearing a girl dress, but it does look rather aesthetically displeasing, to mine eye.

 

[zelda2fanboy]

I would let the kid dress however he wanted. If I were wanting to show solidarity, I'd opt for a kilt, like many others on the board. I'm pretty sure we're all just looking for an excuse to wear a kilt, due to its inherent badassery.

 

[Dethenger]

Quite frankly boys shouldn't wear dresses.

Says who? Your culture? P-lease.

New rule: in my culture, men have to wear yellow hats at all times. Women MUST NOT ever wear yellow hats.

Sounds stupid, yes? Why? Because a million sheep around you aren't all doing it? Ha. Dress however the hell you want, people.

Men in Yellow Hats?

Curious.

OT: Get this boy a kilt and a claymore. He'll be fine.

 

[Paradoxrifts]

But are the father and son drowning? I can't comment further until I know.

The answer to that question is always yes. Everyone is drowning. Always.

But who do you save? The father or the son?

.... Or the goldfish?

You save this man. thread/

 

[Froggy Slayer]

Snip

You're disqualified on the grounds of these being tunics, not dresses at all!

Now a toga, maybe...

The difference between

Spoiler: this

Spoiler: And this

Is a belt.

You're kidding yourself if you think there's an actual difference between a tunic and dress. A dress tailored to suit the male figure is essentially a tunic, or a thobe.

Giving them modern stylistic panache is all we're really talking about.

The belt makes it look a lot cooler on guys, though, I must admit. Most guys just can't pull of a proper, full length dress.

Me, on the other hand...well, I'd make a sexy chick!

 

[conflictofinterests]

This story gives me the warm fuzzies. :> Go Germany!

 

[excalipoor]

The difference between

Spoiler: this

Spoiler: And this

Is a belt.

You're kidding yourself if you think there's an actual difference between a tunic and dress. A dress tailored to suit the male figure is essentially a tunic, or a thobe.

Giving them modern stylistic panache is all we're really talking about.

Now you're just being bitter because you didn't win. Besides, my legs are way too white to wear something so short.

 

[Froggy Slayer]

Hey, do you know who's a guy and wears a dress? Doctor Doom. And another guy who wears a skirt? Darkseid. Would you like to argue with them?

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

Hey, do you know who's a guy and wears a dress? Doctor Doom. And another guy who wears a skirt? Darkseid. Would you like to argue with them?

If Doctor Doom is wrong i dont wanna be right.

 

[CMDDarkblade]

So to sum up this thread: In the future when humanity has populated the stars, we will have crystal spires, everyone will be wearing space togas, and gender roles and other trivial matters of culture will have been eliminated. And it is all thanks to one brave 5 year-old boy and his dad in Germany who decided to walk down the street wearing dresses.

 

[Something Amyss]

No way in hell would I let my son do that. Let it be known that I respect this man and what he is doing for his son. I just wouldn't do it personally. My son doesn't even have access to a dress. At least I would hope he doesn't.

And why would you hope he didn't, praytell?

To be honest, at 5 he's probably going to grow out of it anyway. It's likely not an expression of his gender so much as it is he likes the breeze.

It's probably not about gender, but that doesn't mean he'll grow out of it in any way.

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

that's because male is considered the "default" in society. Women SHOULD aspire to be more like men. Everyone should like boobs. I mean, what's not to like about boobs? It's shameful to downgrade one's gender to that of a woman. I mean, what? Why would you want to do that? Women are second class citizens!

That's one of the reasons people react more poorly to male homosexuals than to lesbians. The assumption (and it is an assumption) that gays are all effeminate and that at least one of these guys is going to be a "receiver."

Also, pants are still considered somewhat taboo amongst the more conservative 70% of my country.

But I'm just a dirty tranny, lower on the totem pole than even women, so what do I know? >.>

Dresses suit the dad much more than the kid. That's all I'm throwing in there.

Looks like he has nice legs.