My friend just called me in tears about her son wanting a Barbie for Christmas! I was surprised by her reaction because he never went for the traditional male toys when went to the malls? He is a sweetheart of a chid. I asked her whats the problem? Get him the doll...its what he wants! She flips out on me! ok... She is upset so I dont want to upset her further. Why cant the kid have a doll? If he is or isnt gay...a doll isnt going to help or hurt ! Am I right?

I knew a guy who collected dolls, and he has a gf. And I belong to several doll communities where men are active members. I think in our "modern" society, ideas about gender are slowly changing.....for the better. If a girl wants a toy car, good for her, if a boy wants a doll (or an "action figure") good for him. Toys don't define children, just my opinion...

Yeah, you're right. But I guess most parents still freak at any sign or thought that their child maybe possibly perhaps by chance could be gay.
Maybe the kid is just fascinated with girls, who's to say, haha. And I think many boys have a phase like that, why the heck not. In kindergarten they play with all kinds of toys as well.
I think it's psychologically more unhealthy for this kid that mum makes such a fuss out of something that's probably quite trivial. Kid was just being innocent and open and probably doesn't understand what the big deal is. There's dent nr one in his masculinity.

I don't think a doll is going to make you "gay." I have done several readings on this and they said that if a male plays with a doll, he will make a better father.
Maybe you should approach her with that...maybe she is anti-gay and is freaking out thinking her son is gay or something. Hey if her son is gay, it is already paved that way. No reason to get upset about it..she should love him NO matter what!!!

This.

Yeah, when I worked in daycare, it was nothing for the boys and girls to play together with dolls and the cooking sets. They were just having fun, as they should.

In daycare all of the kids play together, which is why ,I think he wants a barbie. His friends wants it. Im really shocked at my friends reaction..Im just afraid at what she may have said to him. I get the feeling she overreacted and scared him. She's mad at me right now for not sharing her outrage...so When she lightens the hell up..I'll see where her head is.

It's hard for a lot of people to let go of what they've always thought...but yeah, its a new world, stay at home dads, women working outside of the home, the horror!!!

When she calms down, maybe she'll realize that a toy isn't the end of the world, it's not like he's playing with matches.

@ painte I know right!!

Wouldn't bother me in the least...I'd buy the doll and clothes
To match.
But then again..I'm very open-minded.
I wouldn't want my kids growing up victims of society..
What I call a follower.
Jmo...

To be honest as a male I would never buy my son a barbie doll but if he was gay I would love him no matter what.

LET THE CHILDREN LAUGH AND PLAY !
Not the end of the world
IF they choose to be gay
Success and joy
In their life
We SHOULD pray...

"I'm OK.....YOU'RE OK ?"
-Thomas A Harris MD-

I'd rather my son played with dolls and turned out to be a decent human being instead of the rampant ***** I've known throughout my life....

he couldn't be gay for collecting dolls .. for Jupiter's sake , how could he be if he is interested in barbies

Good lord, is that a doll or a person? I don't like girls, but wow, how pretty!

There are worse things people's kids could be getting into than dolls. I don't see the big issue.

Maybe the boy wants to use the Barbie Doll to pick up girls.

Get him a cheerleader barbie, football optional.

sorry, had to

Really though, the days of us being gender bending is over. I think in the past families have given birth to a lot of bigots instead of letting their kids grow up.

Who knows why the kid wants a Barbie but the parent freaking out about it to a friend sounds like she is the one in bad shape.

One of my sons wanted Barbie dolls at a fairly young age but he thought the jointed legs would make fingers for a 6 million dollar man hand which was the start of an engineering career. Kids often think invertively.

If anything I would be more concerned about a little girl wanting to have and look like a Barbie doll since the Barbie Princess theory would bother me just as much. How many normal women look like Barbie? None naturally.