[sphinx]

I found this article and thought it was heartwarming, what a great dad.

what do you guys think? he seems like the best father in the world.

This is a story about a father. It was originally written in German. It's about a father who started wearing skirts because his son likes to wear skirts and dresses and he wants his son to feel stronger. Because his son likes to wear skirts Nils Pickert started with it as well. After all, the little one needs a role model. And he thinks long skirts with elastic bands suit him quite well anyways. A story about two misfits in the Province of southern Germany. My five year old son likes to wear dresses. In Berlin Kreuzberg that alone would be enough to get into conversation with other parents. Is it wise or ridiculous? "Neither one nor the other!“ I still want to shout back at them. But sadly they can’t hear me any more. Because by now I live in a small town in South Germany. Not even a hundred thousand inhabitants, very traditional, very religious. Plainly motherland. Here the partiality of my son are not only a subject for parents, they are a town wide issue. And I did my bit for that to happen. Yes, I’m one of those dads, that try to raise their children equal. I’m not one of those academic daddies that ramble about gender equality during their studies and then, as soon as a child’s in the house, still relapse into those fluffy gender roles: He’s finding fulfilment in his carrier and she’s doing the rest. Thus I am, I know that by now, part of the minority that makes a fool of themselves from time to time. Out of conviction. In my case that’s because I didn’t want to talk my son into not wearing dresses and skirts. He didn’t make friends in doing that in Berlin already and after a lot of contemplation I had only one option left: To broaden my shoulders for my little buddy and dress in a skirt myself. After all you can’t expect a child at pre-school age to have the same ability to assert themselves as an adult. Completely without role model. And so I became that role model. We already had skirt and dress days back then during mild Kreuzbergian weather. And I think long skirts with elastic bands suit me quite well anyways. Dresses are a bit more difficult. There was either no reaction of the people in Berlin or it was positive. In my small town in the south of Germany that’s a little bit different. Being all stressed out, because of the moving I forgot to notify the nursery-school teachers to have an eye on my boy not being laughed at because of his fondness of dresses and skirts. Shortly after moving he didn’t dare to go to nursery-school wearing a skirt or a dress any more. And looking at me with big eyes he asked: “Daddy, when are you going to wear a skirt again?” To this very day I’m thankful for that women, that stared at us on the street until she ran face first into a street light. My son was roaring with laugher. And the next day he fished out a dress from the depth of his wardrobe. At first only for the weekend. Later also for nursery-school. And what’s the little guy doing by now? He’s painting his fingernails. He thinks it looks pretty on my nails, too. He’s simply smiling, when other boys ( and it’s nearly always boys) want to make fun of him and says: “You only don’t dare to wear skirts and dresses because your dads don’t dare to either.” That’s how broad his own shoulders have become by now. And all thanks to daddy in a skirt.

[Alucrid]

Dope. the kid is just ahead of the curve

[DJMicLuv]

As long as he's not in dis dress.

Good luck to 'em, just make sure the kid doesn't grow up to be a brony and there'll be no problem.

[jaxword]

Good father, great example of how to take one for your kid.

[Malvolio]

“You only don’t dare to wear skirts and dresses because your dads don’t dare to either.”

What a beautiful quote. Probably more insightful than anything I've ever said.

[RS4-]

That's pretty cool, good stuff.

[LOCK]

Oh God, this is beautiful.

[eosos]

I wouldn't let my son wear a skirt.

[Yaboosh]

I wouldn't let my son wear a skirt.

And off we go.

[Cosmic Bus]

Thought this sounded very familiar, but it turns out there was an almost identical story about an American father and son last summer:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435239

[LOCK]

I wouldn't let my son wear a skirt.

Why not, if I may ask?

[EulaCapra]

Awww... Skirts for all I say!

[sphinx]

Thought this sounded very familiar, but it turns out there was an almost identical story about an American father and son last summer: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435239

well, I am actually happy it isn't the first time it has happened and I hope parents in general are more supportive of their kids in these cases.

[hateradio]

Thought this sounded very familiar, but it turns out there was an almost identical story about an American father and son last summer: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435239

That's what I was thinking it would be, too.

I wouldn't let my son wear a skirt.

What if he really really liked wearing them.

[Kanakiri]

D'aww. :3

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Is there a link to the original german article?

[RDreamer]

That's a damned awesome dad. I'm not sure I could wear a skirt out, though I suppose after a while of having people talk crap about my son I might contemplate it, too.

Personally I'll encourage whatever my future kid decides to wear, do, or be. I kind of hope he doesn't gravitate towards this, if only because I don't feel like having to disown my dad, because I'm sure he'd have a rather strong opinion on it...

[Kanakiri]

Is there a link to the original german article?

http://www.emma.de/ressorts/artikel/...vater-im-rock/

[commedieu]

And off we go.

almost made it to post 10...

ANYWAY...

Great story, that is unconditional love folks.

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

http://www.emma.de/ressorts/artikel/...vater-im-rock/

danke

[water_wendi]

Awesome.

[Cosmic Bus]

It's odd how this is seen as effeminate and gay. I know some guys that wore skirts to high school back in the '80s and they were revered as being, like, the most punk dudes around because of it.

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

It's odd how this is seen as effeminate and gay. I know some guys that wore skirts to high school back in the '80s and they were revered as being, like, the most punk dudes around because of it.

Was it skirts or more like kilts? Kilts are seen as ok but skirts are horrible for some reason.

[peace in palestine]

I wouldn't let my son wear a skirt.

damn straight.

[Kanakiri]

When I was in school some guys wore, like, black kilt type things. They were definitely kilts, though.

[thetrin]

I liked to dress up in my mom's high heels and tie my hair up with her hairbands when I was really little. It never struck me as a particularly feminine thing because I was such a young kid, and then I eventually just stopped doing it. My parents never asked me to stop. They let me do it.

I don't see any problem with letting a kid explore their identity, even at such a young age, no matter where it leads. It could be just a phase, and they'd fit cleanly into established roles, or just continue to wear "gender-inappropriate" clothing for the rest of their life. Either way, they should be happy with who they are.

When I was in school some guys wore, like, black kilt type things. They were definitely kilts, though.

I wore kilts all through high school. Then again, I went to a boarding school in the scottish tradition.

[Alucrid]

It's odd how this is seen as effeminate and gay. I know some guys that wore skirts to high school back in the '80s and they were revered as being, like, the most punk dudes around because of it.

well what if we add a pistol? surely then it's man enough

I liked to dress up in my mom's high heels and tie my hair up with her hairbands when I was really little. It never struck me as a particularly feminine thing because I was such a young kid, and then I eventually just stopped doing it. My parents never asked me to stop. They let me do it. I don't see any problem with letting a kid explore their identity, even at such a young age. I wore kilts all through high school. Then again, I went to a boarding school in the scottish tradition.

I tie my hair back with hairbands, don't really think that's viewed in the same light as wearing dresses though.

[Wendel Clark]

didn't tracy morgan say he'd stab his son if he wanted to wear a dress

[sphinx]

And off we go.

I don't know why he wouldn't let his son wear a skirt but in many countries a small kid wearing a skirt or a dress would be beaten and harrassed by other kids.

that would be a hard decision, I'd definitely let my son wear anything but what if I know he wouldn't be safe anymore the moment I leave him on his own, in school or with "friends"?

Germany is one of the few places this can happen, but they are VERY advanced in social behaviour and equality.

[Orayn]

I liked to dress up in my mom's high heels and tie my hair up with her hairbands when I was really little. It never struck me as a particularly feminine thing because I was such a young kid, and then I eventually just stopped doing it. My parents never asked me to stop. They let me do it. I don't see any problem with letting a kid explore their identity, even at such a young age.

I don't either. Arguments against this will invariably come from incredibly stodgy views of gender roles and gender expression, or from loathsome buzzwords like "pussification."

[thetrin]

I tie my hair back with hairbands, don't really think that's viewed in the same light as wearing dresses though.

Did you miss the part where I dressed up in my mom's high heels?

Also, just as an aside, I'm Indian. It's really common for Indian boys to grow up wearing little girl's clothing. I don't really know why, but there you go.

[Alucrid]

Did you miss the part where I dressed up in my mom's high heels?

No, I was saying that I don't think guys tying their hair back is viewed as strangely by the general public as dressing in skirts or high heels currently is.

[commedieu]

well what if we add a pistol? surely then it's man enough .

Hmm Vermilion or Voldoo...?

[squidyj]

I don't either. Arguments against this will invariably come from incredibly stodgy views of gender roles and gender expression, or from loathsome buzzwords like "pussification."

As an aside pussification isn't just bad to me because of what it means, It's also a terrible odious word in terms of it's sound... pussification, it's like putrefaction, it conjures up something truly unpleasant.

[Crewnh]

Well itd be nice and breezy

Lots of leg room

Huh

[Alucrid]

Well itd be nice and breezy Lots of leg room Huh

gaf really hates skinny jeans so i thought they'd be down with this.

[Smellycat]

SMH what a terrible dad. What the heck is going on in the world? :(

[jgminto]

Pretty cool dad. Don't think I could rock a skirt or dress very well. I just don't have the figure for it.

[Alucrid]

i do question their bare feet though

[Cosmic Bus]

Was it skirts or more like kilts? Kilts are seen as ok but skirts are horrible for some reason.

Most definitely skirts and not kilts.

I might try out the skirt + leggings thing this fall.

[sphinx]

SMH what a terrible dad. What the heck is going on in the world? :(

are you serious?

what's so wrong with it?

i do question their bare feet though

oh, that''s also a German thing.. not everyone, but once it's summer and temperature goes over 28° degrees (C), many people go with bare feet. It's weird, that there's NOTHING in the floor that could hurt you, no nails, no trash, no bugs, it really is safe.. if you don't mind dirt, is o.k I guess.

[flippedb]

I'd like to get a skirt, but made for men. Wearing girl's clothes is not what I look forward to.

[xJavonta]

gaf really hates skinny jeans so i thought they'd be down with this.

I love skinny jeans. It's the only type of jean fit I'll wear.

Skinnies for life

SMH what a terrible dad. What the heck is going on in the world? :(

There's still people that think something as stupid as clothing should define your gender, that's wha'ts wrong with the world.

[Crumpet Trumpet]

There are multiple pictures of me in my youth wearing dresses and skirts, and I turned out fine. (´ー｀)┌

[Orayn]

I'd like to get a skirt, but made for men. Wearing girl's clothes is not what I look forward to.

LOOK NO FURTHER! One of my high school teachers wore these sometimes and it was awesome.

[.GqueB.]

Why not, if I may ask?

I wouldn't after a certain age. Where I live, kids aren't ready for such a thing unfortunately. Send him to the wrong school and he may have a really horrible experience. Even if I decided to wear a skirt as well, I wouldn't be there all day to prove whatever point I'm trying to make.

And it's not enough to simply "wear" a skirt anyways. The father is just wearing it with a tshirt. If you're going to wear it then wear it. Otherwise you look like an idiot. I've seen guys at urban outfitters with womens' clothing on but they owned it. It wasn't "hey look at me I'm wearing womens' clothing" it was "yea I liked this shirt so I purchased it and now I'm wearing it. The father needs to stop half assing it.

[Emitan]

I wouldn't let my son wear a skirt.

Even if he wanted to? Why?

[XANDER CAGE]

SMH what a terrible dad. What the heck is going on in the world? :(

oh no people are wearing skirts

[artist]

he seems like the best father in the world.

GAF hyper always gets me. :lol

[Emitan]

SMH what a terrible dad. What the heck is going on in the world? :(

He's letting his son wear the clothes he wants? HOW HORRIBLE