Tomboy
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- For the computer software, see Tomboy (software)
A tomboy is typically described as a girl who behaves according to the gender role of a boy. This social phenomenon typically manifests itself in certain individuals through one or more of the examples stated below:
- 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.
- The preference to befriend members of the opposite sex rather than others of their own gender.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 woman'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.[citation needed]
Childhood gender roles are handled somewhat differently for tomboys and girlish boys. Tomboys generally enjoy more of a social approval and support than feminine young males. However, gender scholar Judith 'Jack' Halberstam has noted that while the defying of gender roles is often tolerated or even encouraged in young girls, older girls and adolescents who display masculine traits are often repressed and punished.[citation needed]
[edit] Causes
There is little study of the causality of the phenomenon, since it has been considered, first and foremost, to be a phase one might go through in early years of life. In recent times, however, due to a perceived correlation between tomboys and lesbianism, there have been attempts to find a causality for what is perceived as a deviant behavior in some cultures.[citation needed]
One theory of a possible cause is that a girl who spends her childhood and/or adolescence in an environment where the male presence predominates, she simply lacks any female role models. Examples of such enviroments include:
- A family with:
- A school where most attending students are male
However, this hypothesis has been challenged by the personal experiences of some tomboys and by modern research that suggests that the state is heavily influenced by genetic and prenatal factors. [1]
