My apologies in advance for this non-newsworthy information, but I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.
J. Crew put out an ad depicting a mom spending some quality time with her son and in one of the ads she is painting his toenails pink. This has apparently caused an outrage by people who claim boys should not be wearing nail polish, especially if it’s pink.
I don’t get it.
I know lots of little boys who have had their nails painted by their moms or their sisters because they wanted to have them painted. I’ve even seen them sporting hot pink colors. Who cares?
If the boys want to wear pink nail polish, let them. Don’t we have better things to be concerned about in life?
12 comments
Drew
I wear polish on my toes always. In fact, I’ve been doing it for so long that I feel naked without it. Most of the time, it’s a nude color that no one can even recognize. It’s gives the nail a super clean look and generally, it’s more aesthetically pleasing to look at. I have many colors, but it the past, I have been a bit skeptical about venturing out in public wearing hot pink, red, or even blue. But, I have those colors and many many more. I also have women’s clothing, sized up for me. I don’t wear that stuff out in public, unless it’s subtle. The main reason I don’t is because of the societal standards. Part of me doesn’t care what others think, but another part of me doesn’t want to be a spectacle. I wish the world wasn’t that way, but it is. I enjoy it on my own time though. I will say this…there is a point that just wanting to do what you want to do does come to light and the fear of those societal “norms” don’t matter as much. I have recently been wearing other colors out in small doses to try to temper myself and test those waters. Will I ever go out wearing a dress and heels? Probably not. But, hot pink polish on my toes, absolutely. I walked through the mall with both red and blue polish on before. Tomorrow, I’m doing hot pink. It makes me feel free. Free of everything. Am I nervous? Absolutely. But after I do it, I have a sense of liberation that I accomplished something that I never thought I could do. That keeps me going. I’m not gay. I’m not confused about who I am. In fact, I KNOW what I like. And if you saw me in any other circumstance, you’d know no better and think I was a typical dude. I have very masculine features, masculine tattoos, and wouldn’t necessarily be a guy that most would confront. In other words, I’m not your stereotypical sissy boy, not that there is anything wrong with that either. My point is, those of us that do this come in all shapes and sizes. You can’t iron us out into one category. We are who we are. That’s what makes all of us, as humans, unique. The world would be such a boring place if we were all the same. If you are reading this and are thinking of wearing something that society may not deem “normal”, then ignore that and go for it. Be yourself because everyone else is taken.
Nico
I don’t understand why people think men can’t be painting their nails pink. Any type even sometimes a hot pink. I do not understand why people judge others men who wear nail polish.
min
y’all im a girl and my boyfriend lets me paint his nails. its fun and creative. hes secure in his masculinity so doesnt see a problem with it and has actually requested me to paint them specific colours before. gender shouldnt matter in things like clothes or makeup or toys etc. things are becoming less binary and more inclusive; its great.
amber
Boys should be able to wear dresses to. its dumb that they cant.
Kyle
Amen
amber
there is nothing wrong with a boy wearing nail polish. colors don’t mean anything for gender. if a girl wears blue is she gay ? no but if a boy wears pink he automaticly is, wrong .
Lu Li@romanticDating
No Discrimination, So what if a Guy Wants to put some Pink Polish in his Fingers, its cute anyway, LoL
its an Art thing.. Go guys :D
Philip
I’m a male in my mid-50s and I polish my toenails because I like the effect. Most of the time I have socks on (you do in the UK) so hardly anybody sees. Likewise I wear women’s jeans (better fit and more choice) and women’s underwear (I did drag for a party nearly 30 years ago and I haven’t worn men’s underwear since – even at the doctor’s or in hospital). Now I have modest boobs, the choice is between strapping them down or supporting them. Naturally I chose the bra route and I haven’t regretted it after more than a year and a half wearing a bra full time. It’s my choice; I just don’t see why people I don’t know and care even less for should police my clothes or cosmetics.
Blake
Im a guy,straight,and have kids…I have been polishing my toes for years.
Not a big deal to me.Its like putting on a pair of shoes for me.From my reactions from people,especially women,they really like it.I mix colours and create very diff colours that are not found on the shelf.its a good conversation ice breaker.I havent had not 1 female get freaked out about a guy with nail polish on…no big deal for me.And yes i like wearing a bra.It gives a secure feeling.And i dont mind how it gives just a little chest.Looks like guys big pecks…And i also like wearing a skirt.Very liberated and free feeling….not afraid of wearing a skirt at all,and i dont feel that weird feeling that we all get when we dont like a paticular piece clothing
Wendy
Wow. It’s just a thing. It’s not a gay thing either. I’ve got a friend whose boy was interested in polish just because he saw his sisters using it. No one made a big deal about it – they just let him explore and experience it. When he made the connection that none of the boys he played with wore it, he quit. Only adults twist this into a not-so-innocent moment of curiosity.
PS – found your blog at the posting about hating to wear dresses. Right there with you and I am not a lesbian either.
Doug Cawthon
If you think this is ok, then thank God we only had girls!
gretchen
Considering I don’t even own a bottle of nail polish, then either gender would be out of luck.