“Wo said Beads are only a girl’s best friend?”
Even though we are in 2021, our society is still made up of socio-cultural conventions related to sex, gender, and sexual orientation.
Unfortunately, too often, these conventions result in outright prejudices, narrow-mindedness, and discriminatory behaviours.
Consequently, children are encouraged to pursue stereotyped professions, roles, and identities!
I grew up in a small town in southern Italy, where kids learn that dad never cries, that he should not cook, wash the dishes, take care of the house, or play girl’s games, because this could make him less manly or even not worthy of respect and consequently bullied.
For this matter, I have never thought to involve my brother in girls’ stuff like jump rope, hula hoop, tea parties with stuffed animals, and much less handcraft activities that involved beads or glitters!
Looking back, I’m sure that my brother would have loved doing this kind of activities with me. But, instead, he felt he wasn’t allowed to! He didn’t have an example to follow!
Once when we were pre-teens, we took our parents’ camera to reenact one of his favorite band’s music videos Queen. I’m talking about the 90s, the camera was the exact size of a 35L backpack, not as easy to use as a smartphone, and forget to go hiking with that :D
“I want to break free” is the song he chose. What a coincidence, right!? ;)
The video starts with Freddy Mercury cleaning the house with a vacuum cleaner, wearing a skirt, and tons of makeup.
We were so excited to shoot this video! We chose the perfect outfit from my wardrobe, I made his hair, and we used our mum’s makeup!
He was so happy about trying something new and emulating his idol. I will never forget the excitement in his eyes. I mean, it’s thrilling to be whatever or whoever you want!
Although nowadays many things are evolving around this topic, there is still so much to work on!
Children don't always feel free to fully express their personality without being conditioned by prejudices and stereotypes!
They should decide what to play with and imagine and impersonate whoever they want to be. Instead we offer them stores with separated sections for boys and girls, divisions at home, playing football with dad and girly stuff with mum!
How can we bring a change?
Hey Dads, I have an idea for you! When you play with your kids you could try to be their heroine for one day :) Wearing some makeup, wings, and jewelry, be emotional and hopefully break this secular stigma of the macho hero and be a great example for your sons and daughters! It’s a little step but it can make a huge difference for the future generations!
If you live in Berlin and you are looking for an unconventional handcraft activity to share with your children, I have a great tip for you!!
There is a new store in Berlin that is offering a step to its community towards this ideal society!
Takaay is an adorable bead shop run by Badou, a super heroine dad of two amazing creative girls!
There you can find any kind of colorful beads and strings and as well a craft corner where to create jewelry with the whole family! Badou will help you step by step to choose the products and show you how to put them together and be creative!
All with a bead of love! ✨ https://www.takaay.de ✨
Badou believes that kids should not follow trends or conventions but create what they like and be who they like to be ❤
Thank you for reading my post!
Sending you a BEADS of love from Takaay!!!