Tomboy=Biblical?

23rd
August 2010

5 Comments
When this post was written: First child (D) was 7 yrs, 2 mo. Second child (B) was 5 yrs, 7 mo.

Third child (L) was 3 yrs, 10 mo.

We’ve been listening to the Little House on the Prairie series in the car.

Since I enjoy children’s literature, I find the development of spirited heroines in the twentieth century to be greatly interesting. We like Laura, who speaks her mind and isn’t content to sit in a corner to sew demurely. Mary seems pale and uninteresting, and so she is, because the author saw her that way.

Here is my question, and I’ll spend a few days discussing what I’m thinking.

Is my perception of the development of femininity shaped more by the children’s literature I’ve read than Scripture and biblical principles?

5 Responses to "Tomboy=Biblical?"

an interesting topic indeed. When I look at Proverbs 31,I don’t see a girl stitting in the corner doing needlework all day. That woman worked, and she worked hard. I also wonder if our view of “proper” femininity is shaped by other cultural influences as well.

1 Nicole said this (August 23, 2010 at 8:22 am)
Yes, Nicole, I think other cultural influences do play a role. In fact, I thought of that, since I know a number of mothers who might not have been steeped in historical novels as I was. Can you think of others besides television and advertising? Friends? Friends’ mothers? That might make a good topic for thinking about.

2 Michelle said this (August 24, 2010 at 8:21 am)
For me, it was people who I had direct contact with who had a lot to say about femininity, especially in the church Lee and I both attended in Wisconsin. My mother also, who would say, “That’s not what a young lady should do.” Mostly television, movies, and books though. And maybe history. Look at a painting, for instance, of a scene from 100 years ago and the dress, hairstyles, and actions very distinctly set apart male and female characters.

3 Nicole said this (August 30, 2010 at 10:58 am)
Hi Michelle! =)
I don’t have girls but your question interests me. Here are some tentative thoughts.
I think separating what is cultural and what is Scripture might help. There are several counter cultural women who are commended in Scripture, they will forever be remembered for their obedience. They did not fit the mold of “how ladies should behave” for their time. Ruth the Moabite comes to mind, and the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, even Mary — the mother of our Lord, I imagine it was hard for her during her pregnancy and thereafter. The cultural perception of femininity is secondary to whether they have the fear of the Lord.
I’m not answering your questions, I know. =) These are just some of my thoughts for now.

4 Seda said this (September 4, 2010 at 12:12 am)
Nicole and Seda, I love that the question interests you, and I like the idea that the cultural perceptions are subordinate to the fear of the Lord. Two Bible examples that I would add to yours are Deborah and Jael. I’d like to be able to think of biblical principles that give us insight into where culture and godliness diverge. I suppose we could do a doctoral dissertation on that topic!

5 Michelle said this (September 8, 2010 at 6:35 am)