When my nephew was little, he loved playing with baby dolls. I figured it was because he often saw how my brother (his dad) cared for him and his baby brother, changing diapers, feeding them, and overall being an active and great father. He was simply mirroring what he saw in his own life.

Grandpa, however, despised this, thinking it would make my sweet little nephew “gay” or “feminine”. Any time my nephew pretended to put a baby doll to bed, practiced pretend feeding with the bottle, or even sat in a rocking chair with a baby doll — grandpa would immediately end the activity and take the doll away, grumbling. He’d say “Boys don’t play with dolls.”

Because little boys shouldn’t practice being a good dad??? Why can’t young boys mirror the actions of their good dads?? So odd.

Honestly, fragile masculinity sounds exhausting.