I live in a home of 6 people. Of the six, I am the ONLY WOMAN! My second oldest bonus son taught ME how to do basic crocheting. He is now in culinary school. The oldest, who is one of the most masculine men I know, has his degree in massage therapy. Both of them are self-taught computer geeks, thanks to their dad. The two younger boys are both interested in the fact that I knit and want to learn. They are both adept at photography and have won awards for their photographs. The 10 year old plans to be a paleontologist (God, save me from the parent plus loans!) and has more paleo/dino books than our local and school libraries. The youngest wants to study rocks, so I have a budding geologist on my hands. And if they want me to teach them how to knit, I will. Just because they are male doesn’t mean they shouldn’t learn how to create things that will better their lives. Heck, even if it’s a dishcloth! A scarf to keep them warm, a winter hat! My boys, all four, are tough. They are boys. At the same time, they will be taught how to survive. Sometimes that involves knitting needles and a sewing machine. (which, by the way, I am terrified of mine and DH has used it more than I have…just so you know, DH spent 8 years in the Marine Corps.)

A few great projects that are perfect for boys: camouflage yarn and a blanket pattern; cotton yarn and small needles to make a DS holder/MP3 holder; find a pattern for a market bag/eco grocery bag. Heck, cut up plastic grocery bags and tie them together to make yarn then use it for knitting!

This isn’t something that your son has to advertise. Besides, he is young, so the interest may pass quickly. Who knows, being as this post is a year old, he may have already lost interest by now.

Stop shoving your kids into gender roles. Girls don’t have to play hosue and dolls, boys don’t have to play just trucks and war.
A boy doing latch hook isn’t going to hurt him.
Neither is a boy doing dance class.
What if your boy is an incredible dancer? Or great at designing? What if your daughter is great at math and sports?
What if your son grows up to be a nurse or daycare teacher? What if your daughter decides not to have children at all?

Will you shame your children into following
gender roles that society has assigned to them?

One of my step-dads best friends (a guy) was taught to knit, sew, crochet and cook from his mom (along with his siblings) and he also learned all that man-car stuff from his dad (stuff my dad, who was a car guy, never taught me, just expected that i’d know these things).

Like Amanda said: we’re all for women becoming more “man like”, but men are discourged from exploring their “feminine side”.

I personally taught my own husband to knit. He doesn’t choose to spend time on this activity, but the fact is that he knows what work goes into my hobby and can appreciate what I love. I learned to play World Of Warcraft so that I can spend more time with him and enjoy something he does. Neither of us has become either more masculine or more feminine by our activities.

I don’t live in the US though.

I would let the kid try what he wants, can’t do any harm. Forcing him to do ‘guy things’ would most surely do.

p.s. When do we get to see video of The Donkey’s fabulous jazz dancing skills?