Drenge går da ikke i kjole

Clippings from news sources involving fashion freedom and other gender equality issues.
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Stu
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Drenge går da ikke i kjole

Post by Stu »

I accept this story is not directly relevant to our interests in extending male fashion options, but I think it is quite interesting and insightful. I have linked an interesting story in today's Danish paper, Berlingske, headed "Drenge går da ikke i kjole", which means "boys don't wear dresses". The picture shows a 3-year-old boy called Herbert who likes wearing dresses, and the article talks about him and the issue of boys generally wearing dresses or crossing gender boundaries. I am afraid I am frightfully busy at the moment and don't have the time to translate the whole article, but I have no doubt anyone who wants to read it all can soon pop the text into a translator.

http://www.b.dk/nationalt/drenge-gaar-da-ikke-i-kjole

It is also subject of discussion on other parts of teh Danish media, including the TV station TV2.

http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php/id- ... joler.html

Stu
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RichardA
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Re: Drenge går da ikke i kjole

Post by RichardA »

Stu
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Re: Drenge går da ikke i kjole

Post by Stu »

My reply to the comments:

Hvad er problemet? Piger bære bukser uden frygt for køn forvirring. Der er ingen lov, der siger, drenge kan ikke bære kjoler. En kjole er blot en beklædningsgenstand. Jeg tror kjolen passer ham godt!

Roughly translates as:

What's the problem? Girls wear trousers without fear of gender confusion. There is no law which says boys can't wear dresses. A dress is just an item of clothing. I think it suits him well.

Stu
MrUtopia
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Re: Drenge går da ikke i kjole

Post by MrUtopia »

I think it is a good article and generated some good discussion. Some are a bit extreme in their fear of creating gender confusion or creating a homosexual. Others are very constructive in promoting equality in clothing, toys and colour.

Peter
Stu
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Re: Drenge går da ikke i kjole

Post by Stu »

Herbert's story is now big news in Denmark and he was even on TV last night, although I couldn't receive it as i live in Sweden. I do follow the Danish press, though, and it has prompted a debate throughout their media about whether boys generally can wear dresses and skirts. For example:

http://ekstrabladet.dk/nyheder/samfund/ ... 789688.ece

Mange forældre bliver nervøse, hvis deres drengebørn går i kjoler. Omvendt er det et hit, hvis piger kravler i træer, siger forsker. Hvad mener du?

Means:

Many parents would become concerned if their boy children were to wear dresses. On the other hand, it would be "a hit" if girls climbed trees, say researchers. What do you think?

http://holmskjold.blogda.dk/

Bøsseangst i børnehaven: Hvorfor er vi så bange for at lade børn eksperimentere med deres kønsidentitet? Treårige Herbert, der elsker prinsessekjoler, har sat nationen på den anden ende.

Means: homosexuality fear in the kindergarden: Why are we so afraid to let children experiemnt with their gender identity? Three year old Herbert, who loves princess dresses, has set the nation talking (very roughly translated)

A similar story on the respected national paper, Politiken:

http://politiken.dk/debat/profiler/gies ... ernehaven/

The last letter here, from Anne Grete Hansen, says:

Dear Ditte - It's quite strange that after decades of women's liberation must hear that the freed men are filled with horror at the fact that their little Gustav wants to play princess for a day.

The male freedom could also include being able to dress up in something less conventional than the uniform suit and tight tie.... Scotsmen don't appear to feel less masculine by wearing pleated skirts sometimes. In other cultures, it's normal attire for men (she then mentions the Greek palace guards). No doubt many of the critical women have tattoos, wear cool jeans and the very latest trend in basketball boots. They probably also do weightlifting.

A bit more on Herbert - in English:

http://pinterest.com/pin/155866837074227838/

I appreciate this is more about gender issues than fashion freedom for men (and boys). However, anything which challenges and undermines the notion that MALE = PANTS (and ONLY pants) is to be welcomed IMO. Herbert hasn't said he wants to be a girl: he just wants the right that girls of his age take for granted - the right to choose to wear unbifurcated, as well as bifurcated, garments.

Stu
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