stereotyping leads to putting girls and boys in “boxes”. It dictates what is acceptable behaviour, dressing, games and much more for each gender.
“In life, not everyone fits into the box. Some girls dress like boys and play games that are believed to be the preserve of boys such as soccer and rugby,” says Keter.
“Parents can get embarrassed because their daughter is not fitting into the gender box or script. In fact, some punish such girls for not being “girly”, she adds.
But what would make a girl a tomboy? Keter offers: “Diverse factors contribute to it including growing up with boys and admiring the freedom boys enjoy. Gender stereotyping tends to limit girls and can lead to rebellion. Also, factors including genetics, family and societal structure such as having close family members such as a mother or grandmother who portray masculine characteristics and play gender roles.”
Prenatal hormones may also play a role. Female babies exposed to higher levels of prenatal testosterone exhibit more “masculine-typical” behaviours.
In the family setup factor, it means that the girl may view her mother as living a boring life and view her father’s life as interesting and admirable. She may consciously or unconsciously lean towards her father’s life and want nothing to do with her mother’s life.
Competitive nature But as they grow up into adults, Keter says there is a possibility of changing their character, especially with the onset of puberty when sex hormones bring out feminine characteristics.
“Not all tomboys change though. Some still grow up leaning towards a masculine nature, get into male-dominated careers such as construction, favour careers that are viewed as suitable for males, are independent and don’t lean towards gender feminine roles even in the family setup such as cooking, cleaning and taking care of little ones,” she explains.
The long-term outcomes are that women who portray tomboy characteristics from childhood can enjoy assertiveness, competitiveness, self-reliance and independence.
“They can excel in competitive sports and male-dominated careers. However, if not managed well, some could end up in high risk behaviours such as hanging out in drinking joints, habitually drinking alcohol, smoking, engaging in antisocial behaviour including crime and failing to take take good care of their health and well- being. This can lead to risks in their health and overall well-being,” says Keter.
AT A GLANCE
• Tomboyism can be as a result of nature or nurture. It is the result of a complex interplay of genetics, prenatal hormonal influences, socialisation, unconscious choice, and family structure.
• When culture degrades the roles of women compared to men, more girls feel like becoming tomboys. It’s a kind of protest. One way or the other, they start to get the feeling, that girls are inferior to boys. A fact that girls are weak or hate the fact that she’s a girl.
• Being a tomboy may sometimes lead to being called a lesbian, a label that can carry a stigma among adolescents. Though experts say there is no link between tomboyism and lesbianism, tomboys who see their stance as a “rejection of femininity” are more likely to be lesbians.
By PD.co.ke