Boys will be boys

Boys will be Boys

Often times in society things that men do get written off and excused.  Playing in the dirt, wrestling with friends, and playing with toy guns are all considered “phases” that result from the common phrase that “boys will be boys.”  This excuse is widely taken into account for the male race, but would it be as accepted if worded for the female race: girls will be girls? I don’t know. 

What society teaches boys is another unmistakable reason why some bad behavior may occur.  Boys are talked to differently-in a more gruff tone than girls.  There are also common stereotypes associated with boys; they like to get dirty, they like cars and trucks, are subject to like certain colors, that they cannot control themselves, etc.  These things greatly contribute to the way they are raised and how they fit into the mold that society has made for them.  For example, in the case of rape, girls are taught to dress better and to stay in groups.  The real answer shouldn’t be safety tips for women; instead it should be teaching men to control their urges.  Men are capable of this, and it is unnerving sometimes to “teach” the victim what she should have done, instead of going to the root of the problem. 

In a Thousand Splendid Suns, Rasheed teaches his son in line with the views of his society.  He treats him far different then Aziza, and considers him a prized possession.  When Zalmai is bad or is reprimanded by his mother, Rasheed is first to defend his ways.  He considers Zalmai’s actions to be common to a boy’s nature and essentially follows the phrase that “boys will be boys.”  Thus, Zalmai’s behavior is glorified by his father and he later has behavioral problems as a result.  

Stereotypes are engrained in society.  Hopefully one day this will change...