Tomboy

This article is about the type of girl. For other uses, see Tomboy (disambiguation).

A tomboy, or occasionally tomgirl, is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the domain of boys.

History

Historically, tomboys have been defined by their less feminine style of dress including the wearing of boys' clothes, as well as being more involved in physical activity than other girls. They have also been noted to demonstrate a stronger interest in science and technology. In recent times, as the ubiquity of traditionally female clothing such as dresses, blouses, and skirts has declined 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 term.

There is a perceived correlation between tomboys and lesbianism. While some tomboys later reveal a lesbian identity in their adolescent or adult years, behavior typical of boys but displayed by girls is not a true indicator of one's sexual orientation.

Throughout their history, tomboys have had to contend with the stigma of presumed lesbianism or the accusation of wanting to be male. Both assumptions were categorically refuted by twentieth-century psychology, which established the normality of the tomboy experience among girls of all identities. However, for many, the tomboy stage is the first manifestation of a gender-fluid life journey.

Gender scholar Judith Halberstam has found 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.

Studies

There have been few studies of the causality of women's behavior and interests, when they do not conform to the female social gender role. One report from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children suggests that preschool girls engaging in "masculine-typical" gender-role behaviour, such as playing with toys typically preferred by boys, is influenced by genetic and prenatal factors.

See also

• Childhood gender nonconformity
• Effeminacy
• Girly girl
• List of tomboys in fiction

External links

• Tomboys and sissies: Androgynous children?
• Tomboys! Feisty Girls and Spirited Women A film by Julie Akeret and Christian McEwen