First I should add that this post will not be about jewellery, I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but I guess you could stop reading at any point if you're bitterly disappointed at the content!
It is absolutely well established in my mind that I want to raise my son to be a well balanced gentleman who respects women. But as the primary care giver and also being in a same sex relationship, it is important that he is open minded about the evolving social world around him and understands equality, gender roles (or lack there of) and peoples gender choices. I guess he has to be, because of his home environment.
With Valentines day looming, very much a Hallmark day, it does make me think of my son, I want him to love unconditionally, of course, it's one of life's most beautiful and pure experiences. But my question now is... how do we raise our boys to be gentlemen, old fashioned, chivalrous but yet modern and respectful, unassuming. I know these things can be intertwined but I'm not sure I've yet found the balance. I see it in his playtime, playing with the boys vs the girls. Rough and tumble with the boys but super gentle with the girls. I love that he is able to recognise that not everyone wants to play in the same way, I'm incredibly proud of this in him. At the same time though, some girls do want the rough and tumble, football, zombies, guns, Minecraft etc etc... and some boys want to be gentle, play the soft games too.
Feminism is on the rise, which is wonderful but as long as we are educating the boys properly, educating everyone really. It's not about hating men, it's about respecting women, being equal, abolishing the gender gap. Just respect in general, towards both women AND men, every gender. I don't want the men to get left behind in this beautiful emergence of girl power, please don't get me wrong, I am a feminist, I'm all for this rise, awareness, and empowerment but I am dedicated to not leaving the men behind either. It is important that everyone is educated in feminism and people understand it properly.
Coming back to Valentines Day, I am a romantic, I believe my son will be too, I see it in him already. I want to nourish this but also teach him that women are no different to men and vice versa. Let's buy our men flowers, chocolates, and dare I say it, silver jewellery!!
Thank you for reading this far and I hope I have brought no offense to anyone with this post. Just know that I am coming from a good place, a place of empowerment, kindness, and equality for every generation.