gender enforcement

[metaphortunate]

Things the baby has ostensibly done recently to cause people to say "Wow, you've really got a boy there, haven't you?"

1) Opened kitchen drawer, flung out piece of tupperware
2) Climbed up slide at playground

Things I believe the baby has ACTUALLY done recently to cause people to say "Wow, you've really got a boy there, haven't you?"

Received a short haircut.

Reason for hypothesis

Previous to the haircut, the most common question upon meeting him was "Boy or girl?"

Alternate hypothesis

Perhaps the haircut has caused him to behave in a more masculine fashion?

Evidence supporting alternate hypothesis

None. Baby behavior has not noticeably changed.

Evidence supporting initial hypothesis

People are extremely good at finding patterns and then noticing evidence to support those patterns and discarding evidence that does not.

Conclusion

GRRARGH PEOPLE WHY YOU GOTTA BE LIKE THAT.

Comments

[pantryslut]

The sheer inanity of "wow, you've really got a boy there, don't you?" is preventing me from getting more grumpy on your behalf. That's a pretty inept conversation-starter, there.

Caretakers used to hover around April and Simone whenever they both looked girly and insisted on, say, climbing the curved bars at the playground. It's gotten a bit better as they've gotten older, thankfully.

[metaphortunate]

One of them was a friend of mine *sigh*. Totally decent guy, not a gender enforcer mostly, and yet. Sometimes these things sneak out of us when we're not thinking.

[merielle]

Patriarchy: you're soaking in it.