What is a Tomboy?
In a number of societies around the world, there are established social rules on what constitutes acceptable masculine and feminine behavior, especially during childhood and preadolescence. Most boys learn to play aggressive games which allow them to show off their physical prowess. Most girls are encouraged to play with fashion dolls or other “girly girl” toys. When a girl chooses to reject the traditional feminine role and act more masculine, she is often referred to as a tomboy. A tomboy is a young girl who may prefer to climb a tree or wrestle instead of playing with dolls or wearing dresses. She may behave in a more aggressive or self-assertive manner than her female friends or classmates. While her demeanor may be more boyish, however, a tomboy may still be aware of the societal norms she is appearing to reject. A tomboy often chooses to adopt a more masculine lifestyle as a form of preadolescent rebellion against the strict gender roles of her society. There are some who believe
“Tomboy” is a term that means a girl who doesn’t like dressing up and playing “girly” games like dolls and house, but likes to do things like climb trees and play sports and dress in pants. Really, girls can do all of that sort of thing without being tomboys, but it’s an old-fashioned slang term that has stuck around in our language. Most girls have times when they like to do “girly” things and times when they like to be “tomboys.
