Short Stories: December 11, 2024 Issue [#12878]
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 This week: The Boys won't like it
  Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

I told a friend I was going to take dolls to my third and fourth grade activity sessions. She said, "Don't, the boys won't like it."

Here's what happened.


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Letter from the editor

Dear Reader,

When a well-known school in the city called me to conduct library activities for the third and fourth grade, I was thrilled.

The first activity I planned was story-making. I was going to carry dolls of different skin-colours and get the kids to make stories about them.

"Don't," my friend cautioned, when I bounced the idea off her. "I have a son that age and he doesn't like dolls. The boys won't like it."

The boys won't like it.

I pondered this. I trust my friend's judgement, and after all, she's speaking from experience with a kid that age.

But something kept nagging me inside - go ahead. I decided to use her input to my advantage. I put my dolls in a bag and zipped it up so no one knew wat was inside.

"Good morning, students," I said, facing 30 bright eyed nine-year-olds. "I have a surprise here for you, but I must ask the boys to leave because I'm afraid they won't like it."

"NO!" screamed all the boys and some of the girls.

I grinned at them. "The boys don't want to leave? All right then, you may stay. But don't say I didn't warn you."

I pulled my dolls out of the bag.

Doll at door


There was an overwhelming "Ohhhh" of surprise and joy.

Know what?

The boys played more with the dolls than the girls did.

They don't get 'girl' dolls to play with. People think boys appreciate 'action figures' but don't like dolls. Boys aren't given dolls, and are shy to ask for them or play with a sister's dolls because they'll be teased.

Discussing this with a group of adults a week later, I got an insight.

"The thing is, we've changed the rules for girls," a lady analysed. "We let them play with airplanes. But boys? We don't give them dolls. The rules for the boys remain the same. Boys don't wear pink. Boys get only 'boy' gifts. And then we expect them to understand gender equality."

Is this true?

And in this community, is this something we writers need to think about? Do our boys play only with soldiers or trains, while our girls play with everything? What is Christmas going to bring for Henry - and is he going to covet what his sister Jeanne gets, but not be able to admit it for fear of being teased?

We're going to be giving our Christmas gifts in a few days.

Let's give our boys the freedom of liberation, shall we?

Thanks for listening,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good write!


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Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
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Dedicated to promoting positivity, encouragement, and support to the WDC community.
by iKïyå§ama Author Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

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brom21 Author Icon
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." A very succinct and accurate relation. This was very simple to understand and I think I could easily apply it. I liked your example; it had a shade of mystery in it. Thanks for the NL!

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