What is the time table for children developing gender stereotypes? What are some questions you would want to ask “Concerned Mom” about this situation? (read below for this question)
My 4-and-a-1 /2-year-old daughter daily pretends she is male in her play. She adores mechanical things, insects, and bugs, generally engages in rough play, etc. She is typically a male character when pretending with her friends. She has many interests but especially wrestling. I have allowed her to pretend to be whoever she wants to be. There are many other dress-up costumes (ballerina, princess), and she pretends all of these characters as well as animals regularly, but she chooses male roles most often. When we are playing, she tells me I can’t be a prince because I am a girl. She always enjoys playing with boys but has several female friends. My husband and I disagree about the normalcy of this play. My husband believes it is healthy to let her play whatever she wants. I think this has gone on too long and that our daughter has gone overboard. We have quarreled about this. How concerned should we be? Is this unhealthy play?
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