Back in second grade, when I and many of my classmates were
forming Harriet the Spy clubs, complete with code names and symbols to indicate
various personality traits—including “suspichis” and “meanie”—brassy characters
like Harriet starred in just about all the books I loved. It never occurred to
me that I was behaving in ways that could be considered “unladylike.”
But when the book first came out in the 1960s, that’s exactly
how Harriet’s character was received, according to an NPR segment this morning.
Harriet was only the second female sleuth to appear in children’s literature,
and the first, Nancy Drew, made Shirley Temple look mischievous. Harriet wore
baggy jeans; was outspoken, street smart, and full of herself; and didn’t much
care what people thought of her. So it’s interesting to note that Louise
Fitzhugh, the book’s author, is gay. Although sexual orientation is certainly
not touched upon in the book, Harriet was the first girl character to thrive as
a tomboy. For many girls growing up in the 60s, it was revolutionary to realize that
one could dress and act “like a boy” and survive childhood.
These days, we have a plethora of children’s books with beloved, fiesty girls: Romana Quimby, Eloise, Olivia, and Junie B. Jones don’t always
mind their manners, but they win people over with their humor and strong sense
of self. It’s a far cry from 1964, when Harriet the Spy was panned by
traditional critics and banned in many schools.
And yet there remain few correspondingly gender-bending role
models for boys. While it’s become much more acceptable for girls to do
traditionally masculine activities like play sports and crack smart aleck jokes,
it remains largely taboo for young boys to play house, dress up, or quietly play
with dolls. Not only is this trend clearly detrimental to boys who are less
aggressive, athletic, and outspoken than their peers, but it could indicate a
general devaluing of traditionally feminine activities. Where are the gentler,
more thoughtful characters, whether male or female?
Has this trend troubled any parents of boys? Am I overlooking
non-traditional boy role models?
Image: sailsinc.org/northattleboro
