Can you raise a daughter like a son?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

This is probably the whiskey talking but I've been thinking - what does it matter if all my children are female, if at least one of them is interested in the "stereotypically masculine" things that I like?

I don't mean forcing any of them, but I guess that at least one growing up could get interested into cars, cigars, fishing, hunting and dogs like I do, and although I had envisioned sharing those hobbies with a son, why deny her if she hypothetically gets interested?

She could also dress like me and keep her hair short if she wanted to. After all, nowadays they say it's normal to encourage male children to play with dolls and so on, so why the contrary should not be alright?

[OlderAndWiser]

"nowadays they say it's normal to encourage male children to play with dolls and so on, so why the contrary should not be alright?" It may be considered normal among SOME people, but not most. Encouraging children to develop traits of the opposite gender will cause them some disadvantages that will persst throughout life. I think girls wll be happer if they develop into feminine women and boys will be happier if they develop into masculine men.

However, a girl can still share some of your interests without adopting a butch persona.

[SnowedIn]

Just love your children. They will navigate the likes and dislikes -- you won't have to provide input in that. Love them and teach them right and wrong and how to be a good member of your family and a good citizen of your town/state or province/nation/world. The rest will sort itself out.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

That's a given, but I would still like to have a least one of them get interested in my passions and not be distant.

[SnowedIn]

You can definitely have a daughter interested in any of those things, or a son. I don't see anything that is gender specific. My only advice as a father of four (ages 20, 17, 14, and 11) is don't hold your breath. Mine don't really share my interests with one exception. It's difficult -- you have to be mentally prepared that that can happen.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

You are right. I just hope that at least one of them will.
Surely I am unlucky when it comes to having male children, but at least I could have some luck in having a daughter who'll be a bit like a son.

[SnowedIn]

I wish you the best, kind sir. :) Children are a blessing and they are wonderful.

[SnowedIn]

Thank you for MHO!

[PBandJ_Nerd]

It's never bad to let children do things like that. I've read it's actually healthier for kids to learn that they don't have to be in strict boxes based on what they can and can't do when it comes to their gender. I wish I would've known stuff like that when I was a kid, but I only learned that for myself once I was 15+ years. old.

[sage2021]

A lot of girls are interested in all different kinds of sports. God has such a good sense of humor sometimes. I'm sure he has blessed you with three baby girls, but all three could be interested in guy stuff and you'd be so busy all the time driving them to each of their sports.
Please let them do girly stuff too ok?

[sage2021]

Thank you for the MHGIRL 🌹😎

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Being interested in cars, sports and fishing has nothing to do with masculinity or femininity.

You're suppose to raise a girl to dress with women's clothing only.

Teach your girl to be smart, well mannered, fearful of God and to always try her best in life, that's good enough.

[NostalgiaSenpi]

I see nothing wrong with that, just don't force it upon them.

[AngryCarl2]

I doubt if the way you raise your child will affect which gender they identify with.

[gorydetails]

They’re gonna like what they’re gonna like. You have little influence on it.

[OddBeMe]

There can be an influence when insecure fathers become the primary or only caregiver to female child. But I dont think that would be enough to turn them unisexual…as in that pic. Or lesbo.

[notwoke]

If you wanna put your daughter at risk of having major problems in life as they become an adult, go ahead

[Jamie05rhs]

Yes. Look at Eve Baxter, for example.

[CuriousMufuxka]

Don't you mean make?