No Way My Boys Are Going To Be Like That Summary

The excerpt, “‘No Way My Boys Are Going to Be Like That!’ Parents’ Responses to Children’s Gender Nonconformity”, discusses parental responses to children’s gender nonconformity and the notable differences between both daughters and sons, as well as heterosexual and gay parents. The author, Emily W. Kane, presents interview findings from 42 parents of preschool children from a variety of social backgrounds. The parents involved demonstrated that they were consciously aware of their participation in gendering their children. The article indicates that both gay and heterosexual parents are accepting of their daughters participating in traditionally male activities, with some parents even encouraging their daughters to pursue typical male interests …show more content…
Context: “this acceptance was tempered for many parents by negative responses to any interest in what I will refer to as iconic femininity”
Personal understanding: Items or activities seen as strictly female or feminine and represent femininity. A Barbie doll is seen as an icon of femininity.
Masculinity
Definition: The state or fact of being masculine; the assemblage of qualities regarded as characteristic of men; maleness, manliness.
Context: “Most parents made efforts to accomplish … an ideal of masculinity…” (Kane, 2013)
Personal understanding: The demonstration or presentation of characteristics typically associated with men. To accomplish an ideal masculinity would be to fulfil societal expectations of being male, such as strong, in charge, and dominant.
Nonconformity
Definition: Failure or refusal to conform to a rule, practice, custom, or requirement (OED.com, 2017).
Context: “Mothers and Fathers … often celebrated what they perceived as gender nonconformity…” (Kane, 2013)
Personal understanding: A refusal to conform to normative gender rules or expectations. Having children deviate from what is seen a typical for a specific gender was celebrated by