Bad news Quote by Tom Robbins
““A little boy, he can play like he's a fireman or a cop--although fewer and fewer are pretending to be cops, thank God--or a deep-sea diver or a quarterback or a spaceman or a rock 'n roll star or a cowboy, or anything else glamorous and exciting (Author's note: What about a novelist, Jellybean?), and although chances are by the time he's in high school he'll get channeled into safer, duller ambitions, the great truth is, he can be any of those things, realize any of those fantasies, if he has the strength, nerve and sincere desire...But little girls? Podner, you know that story as well as me. Give 'em doll babies, tea sets and toy stoves. And if they show a hankering for more bodacious playthings, call 'em tomboy, humor 'em for a few years and then slip 'em the bad news...And the reality is, we got about as much chance of growing up to be cowgirls as Eskimos have got being vegetarians.””
About This Quote
Children freely imagine grand roles, but societal pressures steer them toward conventional paths, especially limiting girls to narrow expectations.
In simple terms: Kids dream big; society narrows those dreams, more for girls.
Key Takeaway
Gendered expectations restrict imaginative potential.
Themes
gender
imagination
socialization
stereotypes
Mood
critical
hopeful
Type
social commentary
observational
When to use this quote
- school counseling
- career guidance
- parental encouragement
Key Concepts
role conformity
identity formation
Practical Applications
- provide diverse role models
- challenge gendered toys
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we nurture unrestricted imagination in all children?
- What structures reinforce gendered play?
A Different Perspective
Not all girls conform to stereotypes; many already break molds despite pressures.
