I was at the park with my young son when he leaned over to say hello to a 1-year-old girl in a stroller. As the baby reached out to take his hand, her mother chimed in with a laugh, “Oh, she’s such a flirt!”
If you’re reading this, you might be thinking I’m overreacting to a harmless comment. However, I believe there’s something unsettling about labeling babies as flirts or suggesting they have romantic interests in one another.
When someone describes a baby as “coy” because she engages briefly and then looks away, it implies intentionality that simply isn’t there. Babies are just that—babies. They lose interest quickly, not because they’re trying to play games, but because they’re just being their innocent selves. Using terms like “flirty” suggests they possess a cunning nature, which perpetuates outdated stereotypes about women and girls as manipulative.
Our society is quick to impose gender roles even on the youngest members, which can have far-reaching implications. Comments like “she knows what she’s doing” when referring to young girls can lead to harmful narratives about responsibility and consent as they grow older.
While it may seem trivial, these small remarks reflect a broader cultural attitude. When discussing serious issues such as the St. Paul’s rape case, I recall a relative casually mentioning, “I’m glad you didn’t find yourself in a situation like that during high school.” This seemingly innocent comment implied that it was the responsibility of girls to avoid such scenarios, completely disregarding the boys’ roles in these situations.
It’s also concerning when adults label children as “boyfriend and girlfriend.” It’s one thing if they are too young to comprehend, but it becomes troubling when they’re three or four. I remember adults saying things like, “Oh, Emma is Noah’s little girlfriend. She’s got him wrapped around her finger.” Such comments can taint innocent friendships with adult expectations.
I confess, I once thought it was sweet when my son’s little friends were called cute or referred to as future couples. But the truth is, they’re just kids. They don’t flirt; they play. They’re not concerned with romance; they’re learning how to share and explore their world.
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In summary, while seemingly harmless, comments that label children as flirts or imply romantic entanglements can have lasting effects on their understanding of relationships and gender roles. It’s crucial to encourage a healthier perspective on childhood interactions, allowing kids to simply be kids.
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