What would you do if your son told you he wanted to sign up for a sewing or crochet class? What would you say to him? Would you tell him that boys don't sew, that it's for girls, and that he should sign up for soccer or karate instead? Would you tell him that he can't do what he likes because people will laugh at him?
Sometimes the world doesn't change because we don't let it change. Creating a fairer, freer society isn't only about women's emancipation, but also men's emancipation. Everyone, regardless of sex, should be able to do whatever they want without anyone making fun of them. And that means opening doors where walls still stand.
Do you remember that song a very young Miguel Bosé released in 1990, Boys Don't Cry? More than a quarter of a century has passed, and it seems we're still in the same place. Boys don't cry, boys don't sew, boys don't knit or crochet… And what about tailors, dressmakers, and designers? What about Dior, Valentino, Paco Rabanne, or Jean Paul Gaultier?
Your son will meet many people in his life who will try to change him, but very few who will support him unconditionally—and you, as his father or mother, must be one of them. In fact, you must be the most important one: the person he can always count on, who will be there to help him get back up and face the world when necessary.
When I was very young, my sister joined the school's handball team. My father was thrilled about the idea, but my mother didn't want her to do it. She was worried because she knew my sister would get injured, get hit, and get hurt… And that's what happened, but nothing came of it. The only thing that happened was that my sister was happy for twenty years, remaining true to her love of a contact sport that earned her the occasional broken finger and bruises every Saturday on game day. My mother wanted to protect her, but in the end, she decided to support her. Do you understand the difference now?
In reality, this post isn't about sewing, but about being free: it's about accepting ourselves as we are and understanding that the best way to protect our children, our future generations, and the society that depends as much on them as on us is to support them.
Boys cry, boys sew, and boys can do whatever they want, just like we can.
If you want to learn more about everything children can learn through these and other crafts, take a look at our post about summer workshops for children in Mataró.
And if your son has already decided, let him try. This July, as every year, we're opening our summer day camp again (click here for more information and reservations).
Help him be who he is!