Seattle's 'Princess Boy,' 5, focus of gender-role debate

[Mr Grinch]

This kind of thing makes me shudder.....
=========================
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013366629_princessboy07m.html

Originally published November 6, 2010 at 7:14 PM | Page modified November 7, 2010 at 1:03 PM

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Seattle's 'Princess Boy,' 5, focus of gender-role debate

A little boy in a bright red dress and his mom's picture book about acceptance are front and center in a biting debate over a question well beyond his years: Are society's gender roles so rigid that a male child can't have fun in a tutu?

By LEANNE ITALIE

The Associated Press



AP

The cover of "My Princess Boy" by Cheryl Kilodavis, of Seattle, about her 5-year-old son, Dyson.

Related

Video | My princess boy

A little boy in a bright red dress and his mom's picture book about acceptance are front and center in a biting debate over a question well beyond his years: Are society's gender roles so rigid that a male child can't have fun in a tutu?

Cheryl Kilodavis self-published "My Princess Boy" over the summer about the sometimes cruel reaction her 5-year-old son, Dyson, faces when he wears sparkly frocks, twirly skirts and jewelry. She shared it with his school and hopes it will be used as a tool for teachers, day-care centers, summer camps and after-school programs to address bullying and promote tolerance.

What the Seattle mom hadn't anticipated was that her family's appearance on local TV — with Dyson in red dress and sparkly pink socks — would land on YouTube, light up Twitter and produce packs of snappish doubters along with loving support from around the world. ........... cont
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013366629_princessboy07m.html

[Scarbo]

I think I'm going to be ill.

[Freeski]

Here's the YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBBffc0Rtc8&feature=player_embedded

[Freeski]

Prediction: 2012 Picture of The Year will be My Princess boy, followed by Princess Boy iPods, Princess Boy video games and Princess Boy bicycles! (and pink footballs)

[Scarbo]

Freeski, you could be right.

Monday's "Lopez Tonight" on TBS featured the effeminate "internet superstar" Antoine Dodson. The early part of the show was peppered with amusing clips of Antoine, but when he sat down for a face to face interview wearing long, straight hair and androgynous garb, I was instantly reminded of the phrase "princess boy." And since he spoke of agents calling him with offers, who knows how big a career he may carve out for himself.

Mind you, this is one guest on one show, and most young men in entertainment don't have this kind of persona, but what struck me during the interview was a possible subliminal 'old and new' message. I say subliminal, but to me it seemed obvious. Antoine was born in 1986 and George Lopez will turn 50 next April, hence macho is old (i.e. on its way out) and princess boy is new (aka hip).