... in our lives boys are, more often than not, encouraged to help the fatherly figure around the home. This could entail handing a hammer to the male adult or given responsibility for dirtier chores, such as, taking the bin out. In the meantime girls might be seen to be assisting the motherly figure with cooking, cleaning and washing the dishes. Young boys might be encouraged (rather not discouraged) to play football, climb trees and shoot pretend firearms with their male pals. Where young girls who might wish to take part in such fun would, more often than not, be called tomboys and frequently be told it wasn't ladylike to behave in this manner. Often we hear comments like she'll grow out of it and she should've been a boy or, in a young boys case, it's just a phase and little weirdo if he tends to prefer make-up or a toy ...

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