By: Mia Thompson
“Remember, you’re a boy. Treat girls like flowers!”
I recently heard this at the park while I was with my son. A woman in her early 30s was telling her young son to be gentle with girls as he dashed off to play. While I appreciate her good intentions, her choice of words made my blood boil. Instead of engaging in a debate, I chose to reflect on what I would have said to her if the moment had allowed.
Girls, and women by extension, are not flowers; they are formidable trees. Flowers are seen as delicate and fragile, but trees are powerful and resilient. They have deep roots, provide shelter, and produce oxygen, thriving through the harshest storms. Trees symbolize strength and capability in ways flowers cannot.
I wanted to tell that mother to stop framing girls as fragile beings deserving of special treatment and instead encourage her son to see them as equals. As a mother to a son, I feel a responsibility to guide him in how he interacts with girls and women. I steer clear of putting them on a pedestal in a way that objectifies rather than respects them.
My son often plays with girls, and I remind him of the same principles I share when he plays with boys: respect personal space, keep hands to yourself, and always say please and thank you. The girls he plays with are strong and assertive, unafraid to stand their ground. They exude confidence and assert themselves in a world that sometimes underestimates them.
I’m continually impressed when I see one of his female friends assert herself, especially when my son, who can be quite bossy, finds himself taken aback. When he approaches me, almost in tears, because she won’t back down, I want to cheer for her. Instead, I remind him that she has every right to occupy space just like he does; he’s not her boss—he’s her friend.
One of my close friends has a daughter who is nearly two. She’s the only little girl in our group, and her presence is commanding. When we gather, she demands to be included, and we tell the boys to be gentle with her due to her age, but she can hold her own. If anyone tries to hug her when she’s not interested, she pushes them aside, clearly stating, “Not right now.” She embodies strength and confidence, and it’s a joy to witness.
This kind of self-assuredness is crucial for girls to develop and, by extension, for boys to observe. Young girls should grow like sturdy saplings, establishing deep roots in their self-worth and blossoming into powerful trees. By nurturing this growth, we empower them to share their strength with the world. Their roots can serve as a refuge for others, providing protection and support in their unique ways.
Girls are not flowers; they are extraordinary trees.
For more insights on this topic, check out this related article. For those interested in the essentials of home insemination, Make A Mom is a great resource. Additionally, the March of Dimes is an excellent source for pregnancy information.
Summary
This article emphasizes the importance of viewing girls not as fragile beings but as strong, capable individuals akin to trees. It calls for a shift in how we educate boys about their interactions with girls, promoting equality and respect. By instilling confidence in girls, we prepare them to thrive and support others, creating a more balanced and empowered future for all.