Tomboyism

Here is some explanation on what it means to be a tomboy (for me, atleast) and some clearing up on tomboy myths/stereotypes.

Personally, I love being a tomboy. I get to hang out with a bunch of cool guys during P.E class and lunch. I do not think of guys as "hot" or "sexy". Those terms do not seem very relevant to me. I just hang out with any boy that lets me be me. Not those self-consious jerks aka "bad boy" popular guys. I tell those guys to piss off.

Myth One:

All Tomboys must be Lesbian.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. There are just as many non tomboy lesbians as tomboy lesbians. I do not even know any tomboys that are lesbian! About 50% of women say they displayed "tomboy" attributes as kids and teenagers. Not 50% of lesbians, but of all women who were polled!

Myth Two:

Tomboys are Girls who want to be Male.

Again, wrong. I actually prefer being female! I don't speak for the rest of people like me, but I think guys  have it rough. If they get hit even lightly in their "special area", they fall on the floor holding their groins. When I get kicked with a soccer ball "there", it doesn't hurt! Guys are usually forced to be active and athletic while girls are let off. Nerdy boys are more bullied than nerdy girls. They are also more prone to taking steroids. *wink wink*

Sure, there are advantages to being male. Being taller, for instance. I am around 5'4'', and my younger brother is about 5'6''. Talk about uncool! Also, guys get to play "rougher" sports without being criticised. If I ran out onto a baseball or football field, I would probably get yelled at by the other team and/or parents. Of course, with my short hair they may not notice. Guys can look buff without looking wierd. Not to brag or anything, but I have some serious upperbody strength. But it kind of looks awkward when people don't know I'm a girl.

Myth Three:

All Tomboys are Aggressive or Non Caring.

I can be aggressive. I can also show no empathy for people I do not like. I just don't know what others are feeling sometimes, because I am nothing like them! When I get hit, I laugh and don't think anything of it. I think I just instinctively feel that others are like that. I don't understand that they may be hurt or upset. But I do care. I care a lot about people I love, especially real friends. I can handle my anger/aggression most of the time. Some people just know how to get under my skin! (examples: people who call me lesbian, people who won't let me play sports with the guys, and people who force me to be more "girly")

Like I have said before, I can't and won't speak for other tomboys. Some tomboys can be very aggressive, all the time. But some can be all for being caring and kind and not be aggressive at all. There are many different aspects of being a tomboy, and no one is the exact same.



Thats all for now.


Thanks for listening to me vent some very pent up feelings,

Grace