You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered why your mom doesn’t support how you dress as a tomboy. Most tomboys stop being tomboys in adolescence, but many people continue to be tomboys into adulthood. Celebrities such as Pink and Ellen DeGeneres are great examples of tomboys who have kept their tomboy identity into adulthood. But for most of us, we’re just trying to fit in with the world and conform to the expectations of our mothers and families. As a result, we get pushed aside for doing stereotypically male things. It takes a lot of confidence to be a tomboy and be accepted in society.
Lesbian-identified girls reject their femininity.
Teenagers who are tomboys often have difficulty accepting their true gender identity, and lesbian representation is crucial in helping these girls come to terms with their transition. In the UK, for example, there is a website called Transgendertrend, which tracks the rise of trans-identified young people. This website helps young lesbians find support from a community that can relate to their situation.
Lesbian-identified girls reject feminine clothing.
A lesbian-identified girl rejecting feminine clothing because she is gay or bisexual is not so simple. Throughout her childhood, she may have sensed that girls are treated differently than boys and that they do not have the same freedom and power as boys. She may have been conditioned to believe that being a boy is important, and she may have even rejected her feminine clothing because of these feelings.
In some cultures, such as Saudi Arabia, where girls are limited in their activities, being a tomboy can be a very harmful label. Saudi girls may be more likely to be labeled as a tomboy than other girls. Moreover, a tomboy’s identity may be lost during puberty, and the tomboy may not be as attractive as other girls.
The family environment is a massive factor in the psychological makeup of a girl. The family is where she is nurtured, and her desires to be a tomboy are shaped. The family is also where she learns about gender roles and sexuality.
