A tomboy is typically described as a girl who behaves according to the gender role of a boy, though the term is also applied to adult women. This social phenomenon typically manifests itself through these characteristics:
- The wearing of typically masculine-oriented types of clothes.
- The practice of games and activities (often physical in nature) that are typically considered to be the domain of boys.
- The preference of school subjects typically considered to be the domain of boys (i.e. mathematics, the hard sciences)
- The preference to befriend boys rather than other girls.
Contents |
Word history
The word has been recorded to be used in the English language since 1553, primarily to describe a "rude, boisterous boy," from Tom (a common boys' name as in 'Tommy', meaning soldier) + boy; the meaning "bold or immodest woman" is attested from 1579; the present use is first recorded in 1592.[1]
In modern society
Historically, tomboys have been defined, as suggested in the examples mentioned above, by "boyish" behavior (like more physically active, technological, and scientific interests) and wearing boys' clothing. In recent times, as the use of traditionally female clothing such as dresses, blouses and skirts steadily declines among Western females, the distinction has become more and more one of behavior. A general increase in the popularity of women's sporting events (see Title IX), and other activities that were traditionally male-dominated, is today broadening tolerance and lessening the impact of "tomboy" as a pejorative.[2] Childhood gender roles are handled somewhat differently for tomboys and girlish boys. Gender scholar Judith 'Jack' Halberstam has claimed that while the defying of gender roles is often tolerated in young girls, older girls and adolescents who display masculine traits are often repressed and punished.[3]
Causes
There is little study of the causality of women's behaviour and interests, when they do not conform to the female social gender role, since it has been considered, first and foremost, to be a phase one might go through in early years of life. It is unclear whether there is any correlation between these behaviours, and whether the causes are any different to what causes men to exhibit the same behaviours such as dress, or an interest in mathematics and science. One report from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children suggests that preschool girls engaging in "masculine-typical" gender-role behavior, such as playing with toys typically preferred by boys, is influenced by genetic and prenatal factors.[4]
References
- ^ Tomboy in the Online Etymology Dictionary
- ^ Contemporary definitions of Tomboy
- ^ Halberstam, Judith: Female Masculinity, Durham: Duke University Press, 1998.
- ^ Study: Tomboys Born, Not Made KSBW, 12 November 2002
