Would you let your son dress up as a female-inspired character on Halloween?

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  Posted by MochaMama42 Mon Oct 6, 2008 4:43am PDT

  Hm...that's tricky.

  Ultimately, probably yes. AT my children's elementary school, the classes begin doing projects on "famous Americans" at second grade. My daughter, in that grade had to do a project on the state of Washington. She wouldn't dress up as Hillary Swank, so she choose Jimi Hendrix instead.

  My son used to want to do silly things for Halloween, like be a cow, a pumpkin, what have you, even in 5th grade. So, ultimately it's just a costume , a form of play. Now, if the child continues to cross dress in a serious manner, then yes, that would be cause for concern ,but if it's only Halloween, I think it would be harmless.

  My daughter is very much a girl, even after doing a report on Jimi Hendrix. ;D

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  Posted by HotCrossBuns Mon Oct 6, 2008 5:33am PDT

  While I would probably make a few masculine counter-suggestions at first, if my son were dead-set on being a female character for Halloween, I'd let him. My husband would have a different opinion than mine, I'm sure, but in the end I think he'd know that going against the idea would be one of those battles that wasn't worth fighting.

  At 4 years old kids are still discovering the whole boy-girl boundaries field, so some indulgence for either gender is okay. Halloween, when everyone is dressing as something they are not, is a much more appropriate setting for allowing cross-gender exploration than, say, cousin-Betty's wedding. I would draw the line at allowing my son wearing a flower girl dress. That's when we'd have to discuss appropriate social behavior for boys and girls, and boys just don't wear dresses! Let's face it, if you were in court a man lawyer showed up in a handsome skirt-suit, there would be a few eyebrows raised!

  If it were an older child, I'd say let him wear a pair of 2" heels for a day, and later decide if dressing like a woman still seems like a good idea!

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  Posted by Stéphanie Mon Oct 6, 2008 6:32am PDT

  DORA ? Hell no. She's evil whatever you're kid gender. But Raven (good choice) or Black Canary or Dorothy of OZ, with pleasure.

  As lons as he has fun, let him do as please.

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  Posted by Nini Poo Mon Oct 6, 2008 7:06am PDT

  Wow, so many strong feeling about this...who friggin cares if your son wants to dress up like Dora or whatever. How many girls dress up as boys on Halloween? Give it a rest. If you fear your son will turn gay b/c of it, you're an idiot.

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  Posted by jDaddy Mon Oct 6, 2008 7:07am PDT

  Halloween is all about fun. At four years old, I have to agree with most of the contributors and say a 4-year-old wants to have fun with his friends. I doubt there will be scars from have to wear a dress. I doubt he really knows the difference between a panty and briefs. Give me a break!

  Several have already admitted if a girl dressed as a boy/man there would be no issue. Are we be setting a little double standard hear? We certainly don't expert her to always be looking for boy clothes (although girls frequently shop in the boys section). Let's not be so hung up on this one day of fun and encourage the spirit of the day - all to get treats!!

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  Posted by Diana P Mon Oct 6, 2008 7:10am PDT

  I see no problem with dressing a boy in a woman’s costume; neither did my Mom (born 1938) who dressed my brother Vincent (when he was 16) as a woman nurse for Halloween. She had him in white tights, wig, makeup (foundation, eyeliner etc.) and HER old 1950's nurses out fit. She said her only complaint was trying to teach him how to put on tights and walk in heels, “he was stubborn student”. Heck she let us and encouraged us to dress up for Halloween not in the traditional costumes sold but to invent ones we wanted to be. There have been hobos (my sister), nurses (my brother), Outhouses, clowns, half male/female costumes, pages, princesses, Goddess of nature, wood nymphs, The tin man (brother wore silver stockings for the legs), Mr. & Mrs. Gumbee, flappers, 50’s Poodle Skirt and witches. All hand made. You get to be more creative when its hand made. It is all in the name of fun.

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  Posted by Lauren H Mon Oct 6, 2008 7:48am PDT

  hey oceanstar...maybe you should worry about teaching your children and to spell and then worry about boy\girl clothing..plain and simple. anyone wonder why it is acceptable for a girl to dress in 'boy's clothes' and not the other way round? social commentary.

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  Posted by lena_abf Mon Oct 6, 2008 8:43am PDT

  No I will NOT let my son wear a girl custom. It will be too confusing for the child. I have a nephew that wears my heels all the time. Always wants to wear girl stuff. Why? Because my two sisters(including the mother),my mom(his grandmother)thinks it funny when he wore it a year and half ago. Now I just think that he is getting confuse on what he is suppose to wear. He wants to be pretty not handsome. I just think that its wrong no matter what age the child is.

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  Posted by Susan Mon Oct 6, 2008 8:57am PDT

  I don't know what they meant by saying we are all part boy and part girl (that's kind of weird, I think), but of course there is no problem with dressing up as a different gender for Halloween. That's what it's all about - it's dressing up, it's fun, it's dressing up like someone you are not. I have absolutely no problem with it. I dressed up as male characters all the time when I was a little girl. Cookie Monster is male and that was my favorite costume! (Yes, the plastic purchased one! - My mom made most of our costumes, but I think that was my first "bought" costume). Anyway, kids love to dress up, especially for Halloween, and they should be able to dress up as anything or anyone they want.

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  Posted by Susan Mon Oct 6, 2008 9:04am PDT

  I can't believe anyone would not let their child dress up as a character of a different gender...come on people, it's HALLOWEEN! No one is going to get confused as to what gender they are just because they dressed as a girl (or boy). So when kids dress up as cows or bunnies, does that mean they get confused and think they aren't humans? Lighten up, people! Kids have great imaginations, and it is fun for them to play dress up and pretend.

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