I think it’s about time that straight boys also help kick down masculine gender norms. Many anti-LGBT ideas are rooted in the same limited view of what masculinity can be. This list isn’t meant to appropriate these books away from the LGBT community but to ask more readers to see themselves in the characters. I do want to note that several of these books also regularly feature as LGBT-friendly books. If he reads The Lord of the Flies, I don’t want him to think, “Whelp, I guess that’s all there is for me.” I want him to be able to see himself as more, just the way I want my daughter to see herself as more than just a pretty princess.Īnd if as an adult I find my own unconscious ideas of masculinity being called into question…Well, good kids’ books have something for everyone.

I want his future self to include nurturing, gentleness, and compassion. I want my son to see ways of being a man that don’t require fighting and aggression. Boys (and also, everyone else) must read books as windows into the lives of others. It’s a lot harder to assault women or take away the rights of transgender people when you have empathized with their full humanity. It’s a lot harder to shout racist slurs about BLM or ignore Standing Rock when you begin to understand the history of African-Americans and Native peoples in America. It is vitally important that we encourage our sons to read about people they will encounter. white men/boys) it’s easy to avoid books about a) girls, b) POC, c) LGBT people, d) everyone else. There is no travel to outer space so we’re all stuck with each other for now.įor people in the majority perspective (i.e. It is the job of all of us to read broadly to understand the lives and situations people in our city, state, nation, world. Why don’t we push for broad depictions of boys and men for our sons? Why are “boy books” so focused on weapons and violence? Where are the gentle, nurturing boys of literature? I’ve got hopes that Star Wars will continue to tackle toxic masculinity, and I hope to figure out a way to support Newt Scamander’s healthy masculinity (without supporting his Grindelwald). We strive to create well-rounded girls and women in books. But I find that the stories which are mirrors for young boys are very limited in scope. I bring home stacks of windows to help my children under the lives of others. I seek out mirrors for my daughter, offering her views of many different types of womanhood. By signing up you agree to our terms of use

Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

Tough guys have feelings too