Should I buy my 4-year-old son pink shoes?

PolishBigSpender

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

I don't have any strong arguement re school uniform tbh but in the case of bold statement above I can't help but feel that the money before happiness rule you stated comes in to play and those that truly feel that way about the UK really should consider their childrens happiness and return to their own country where their children would be happier.

They do, in many cases. In fact, there's a small social problem in that many relationships are breaking up - the mother will stay in Poland, while the father will go to the UK to work. Relationships are breaking up as a result - and it's not a pretty situation.

Generally though, what people do is go to the UK to make money, then return home to start a family. Less so now (average wages are up to around 750 pounds a month - so for a graduate, it's not really worth going to the UK to work in a bar/etc).

Essentially, the UK is a great country if you're single and carefree. It's not so great if you aren't, really.

Lunar_Eclipse

I can't help but think that all the naysayers of pink shoes for boys wouldn't think twice if it was a girl requesting blue shoes.

Which is something to make us all think is it not?

Lunar_Eclipse

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

I children in the UK were quite unhappy and that it was a serious problem, not helped by the amount of rules, regulations and tests that they have to undergo.

I agree with a lot of the points you made.

Except I completely disagree that the UK isn't a good place to bring up children, when considering the world at large and taking a broad, long term view. This includes the many poverty ridden, cramped, unhygienic and extremely cold towns and cities across Eastern Europe. Life is too short to be unhappy and as a parent, we all want to believe we are doing the best we can for our children. I am thus baffled as to why you do not return to Poland, if you really meant what you typed. You even said that the money isn't that good here anymore.

Skintmama

When I was young it would have been unusual for a boy to wear pink but thankfully attitudes have (mostly) changed on this............my sporty teen son and most of his friends are regularly seen wearing pink shirts, shoes, underpants (always on view these days!) and socks. I am not sure that your son's contemporaries would find it strange.......but their parents might.

galvanizersbaby

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

They do, in many cases. In fact, there's a small social problem in that many relationships are breaking up - the mother will stay in Poland, while the father will go to the UK to work. Relationships are breaking up as a result - and it's not a pretty situation.

Generally though, what people do is go to the UK to make money, then return home to start a family. Less so now (average wages are up to around 750 pounds a month - so for a graduate, it's not really worth going to the UK to work in a bar/etc).

Essentially, the UK is a great country if you're single and carefree. It's not so great if you aren't, really.

That's only your opinion though as a Polish person with children living in the UK (well I'm assuming you are - apologies if this isn't the case)
I can see that many relationships would break up in the situ you describe but I guess if one parent/partner is prepared to put making money before family then that is the choice that they make.

Anyway this discussion is probably for a different thread.

OP - BTW I don't see why you shouldn't get the pink shoes for your son if that is what he has asked for!

dawnybabes

My DS at 4 "NEEDED" a pair of lilli Kelli shoes, was desperate to get them. We compromised I bought him clarks pumps and glued some sparkles on them, all happy. Now at 6 he wouldn't be seen in pink :-)

Violetta_2

Do not buy your son pink shoes for goodness sake, you won't be able to take him outside! A boy in pink shoes:eek: .
My girl is 3 and a half she wears pink top to toe at all times. I also do not let her have any toy cars or trains or any boy type toy's. We got he a lovely cooker set for xmas, with a kettle, toaster, washing machine, iron and a hoover. I am hoping she will grow up to do nursing or be a secretary before settling down with a nice young man and having 2.4 children.

Yeah right!!! She got a guitar (happens to be pink) and she wears whatever colour she bl**dy well wants. Most girls do so why shouldn't your boy.

Sarahdol75

I have a 5 year old boy, and his favourite colour is PINK, if I were you I would let him have pink shoes, at this age it is just a phase anyway. When my son was 3 he was desperate for a pushchair, but his dad, grandad, family all said he should'nt have one as they are for girls, why are they girls play with cars, trains garages so why should'nt a boy have a pushchair. So in the end I got him one anyway much to the disgust of all the family, he loved it. And when all his friends came to play an numerous occasions they all played with it as well and it was PINK and they didn't think anything of it so why should you. I say go for it.

jellyhead

Oh yes, I got comments about the pink pram and doll my son wanted but I bought them anyway. His male cousins all played with his 'babies' too, one came to visit us just get his doll fix because he had the type of father who made a fuss and put his foot down, thinking that playing with a doll at age 2 would somehow make his son gay :rolleyes: In toddler groups, nurseries etc. the boys play with girly toys if they feel like it - it's not abnormal. We get girls calling to play with my boy's train set too, toys are just toys and at a young age there's no need for gender stereotyping.

I wouldn't buy pink shoes for my boy though - he'd be wearing them to birthday parties, half term activities, theme parks etc. and he's not confident enough to deal with ridicule.

horseykitty

If your son is in school - no, not even in the house. One of the older, nastier kids in the school may get to find out and he will be teased mercilessly. It's got nothing to do with re inforcing gender stereotypes, it's just just a fact of life. Lad in pink shoes = bullying.
I have both girls and boys, my eldest daughter grew up amongst her brothers and despite access to boys toys was always girly and wanted to play with girls toys. Having my second daughter nearly 15 years after the first I am quite shocked at just how 'pink' and fluffy everything is for girls these days. I feel sorry for girls who either don't like or don't suit pink - there doen't seem to be much of an alternative.