A common expression in my childhood that seems to have died a regrettable death during the feminist movement of the 70s. During those years the phrase was interpreted as being dismissive of inappropriate behavior simply because “boys will be boys”. The feminists were and are correct in that bad behavior should not be dismissed based on gender. Humans can be better than that.
So why do I feel that the death of the phrase is regrettable? I owe that attitude to my Grandmother. At a preschool age and after I had been treated roughly and unfairly by a group of slightly older boys my Grandmother picked me up, dusted me off, sat me on her knee and told me never to forget that “boys will be boys”. It was a warning that I should ignore that fact at my own peril.
No comments:
Post a Comment