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Tomboys are girls who reject traditional feminine roles and adopt a more masculine lifestyle as a form of preadolescent rebellion against rigid gender roles. They may prefer physical games and male company, but their sexual orientation is not predetermined. Many child psychologists believe it’s a phase before taking on the more challenging role of a teenager.
In a number of societies around the world, there are established social rules about what constitutes acceptable male and female behavior, especially during childhood and preadolescence. Most boys learn to play aggressive games that 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. You may be more aggressive or self-assertive than your friends or classmates. While her demeanor may be more boyish, however, a tomboy may still be aware of social norms that she seems to reject. A tomboy often chooses to adopt a more masculine lifestyle as a form of preadolescent rebellion against the rigid gender roles of her society.
There are some who believe that tomboys are largely products of a male-dominated household. A girl trying to adjust to her male brothers and dominant father may find it easier to adopt a more masculine lifestyle than risk ridicule to pursue traditional female interests. A tomboy may also find it easier to fit in with male classmates, since female classmates may be more critical or jealous of other girls. A tomboy may have little or no romantic interest in boys during this time, but she generally prefers their company to traditional “girly girls” who no longer enjoy playing physical games.
There is always a concern about a tomboy’s current or future sexual orientation, in the same sense that an effeminate preadolescent male may choose to pursue a homosexual lifestyle later in life. Some boys may indeed have lesbian tendencies or consider themselves asexual, but many masculine girls eventually develop heterosexual interests as they enter puberty. Many preteens remain in a state of sexual flow, meaning they can explore both female and male gender roles without permanently defining their sexual identity. A young tomboy can become exceptionally feminine as she develops physically and emotionally during puberty.
Many parents may worry about a daughter’s tomboyish behavior, but a number of child psychologists believe it should be considered more of a phase than anything else. Some children resist the gender adjustment and traditional sex roles until they become mature enough to handle the responsibilities that come with them. A tomboy might just be enjoying the last vestiges of her childhood before taking on the more challenging role of a teenager.
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