Not Just Princesses - Who is the Modern Tomboy?

As society becomes increasingly open and diverse, outdated gender stereotypes and patterns are slowly losing their relevance. Girls were once automatically associated with pink, ruffles, and princesses, while boys were drawn to stunts, superheroes, and cars. However, modern parents are raising their children with a primary focus on their character and personality.

When we look at today's girls, we see not just little princesses but future leaders, scientists, artists, athletes, and researchers. They have a whole world of possibilities waiting to be discovered. Therefore, it's crucial that we provide them with support, inspiration, and the opportunity to develop their full potential.

How we dress modern girls

When we think of girls, one of the first things that comes to mind is their appearance—a sweet little princess in pigtails and a beautiful dress. This is a deeply ingrained image of little girls. But is it true? Just look around the street to see that typically girly clothes like dresses aren't as common as they once were.

Boys and girls today have great freedom in choosing the style and clothing that best suits their personalities. For practical reasons, parents often dress young children in comfortable T-shirts and loose-fitting trousers . Many T-shirts, sweatpants, and shorts will work for both boys and girls, so parents are increasingly opting for unisex clothing that is free from gender stereotypes, or, ignoring the categories on the shelves, they buy their daughters' clothes from the boys' section.

When choosing clothes for girls, it's important to consider the child's comfort. Many girls' clothes are impractical, have unnecessary embellishments and accessories, or lack pockets. If you're looking for comfortable clothing with a looser or more sporty cut, there's nothing stopping you from looking in the boys' section .

However, it's worth remembering that the child's well-being is also important. If our young lady wants more elegant and girly clothes, let's not deny her this and don't force a different style on her.

Barbie dolls racing on dinosaurs - what are girls interested in?

The modern tomboy isn't just about clothing choices, but also about a range of interests and passions. Girls can explore and develop various areas of life from a young age. We can meet young scientists experimenting in their home labs, young artists painting their masterpieces, and even future leaders demonstrating organizational and leadership skills while playing with their peers.

Discovering your interests and developing your skills is crucial for building self-confidence and personal development. Whether your daughter's passion is animals, team sports, or cars, it's important to support them and give them the opportunity to reach their potential.

Let's give girls the freedom to choose their interests, even if they seem typical for boys. Let's not limit children's entertainment repertoire to cartoons and movies "for girls" or "for boys." When going to a toy store, observe whether a child's attention is drawn more to dollhouses or dinosaurs, or perhaps both.

Let's broaden girls' horizons by showing them that women can successfully engage in traditionally "male" pursuits. This isn't about deliberately encouraging specific interests, but rather exposing children to a variety of activities so they have a wide range to choose from.

Superheroines and superheroes

Modern girls have access to a wide range of books, films, and toys that inspire them to pursue various activities and dreams. Popular books and films depict female characters with diverse talents and aspirations—both fictional and real-life figures from contemporary and historical times, such as scientists, adventurers, engineers, and athletes. This gives girls the opportunity to identify with diverse roles and believe they can achieve anything they desire. Female role models are very important for girls, but similar inspiration can also be drawn from successful men. Girls should know that men can be just as important role models and inspirational as women.

So who is a “tomboy” and is it worth calling her that?

Our titular "tomboy" is simply a girl with an individual character and interests that often exceed outdated societal expectations, which is practically every modern girl. So, is it worth labeling them just because they're not awash in pink? While the name itself isn't negative, it shouldn't be overused to avoid perpetuating stereotypes that emphasize that certain interests, even if they're a girl's passion, come from the male world. Assigning labels to children, whether positive or negative, isn't best practice. What's important is focusing on the child's personality and their current needs. It's also worth remembering that children change. Your tomboy can suddenly transform into a princess, and there's nothing wrong with that either.

Today's children are individuals with many interests and possibilities. Whether they want to be princesses or astronauts, their dreams and goals are equally important and deserve our full support. Let's give our daughters the space to express themselves, regardless of traditional gender roles. Let's introduce them to diverse areas of life, such as science, art, sports, technology, and entrepreneurship, so they have the opportunity to explore and develop their skills.

Let our daughters know that they are beautiful and strong, that they can be whoever they want, that there are no limits. Let's encourage them to take risks, pursue goals, and believe in their own abilities.