Not all girls understand men’s obsession with sports, but I do. Sports is one of the things that has been a constant in my life since the beginning. Whether I was playing, watching professionals, or cheering on my family. I remember my childhood being filled with soccer, softball, baseball, and basketball and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Sports are exhilarating, mind-blowing, and completely unpredictable. I love sitting down on Sundays with my boyfriend and watching football all day, or going on dates to Progressive Field or PNC Park.
Unfortunately, growing up I was labeled a "tomboy" and I never really understood what that meant, or why that label was given to me. I was uncomfortable wearing a dress or a V-neck because I was afraid I wasn't going with whatever my peers labeled me as. Middle school and high school are hard enough, let alone when you throw labels and categories into the mix. Individuals need to feel comfortable in their own skin, and everyone has the right to like whatever they like. So if you're a female and you want those Nike sweats in the men's section, go for it. If you're a male and you need dance shoes, embrace it because that is who you are. Not whatever your peers have assigned to you.
Times are changing to the point where pink isn’t used to represent a girl coming into this world, or blue to show a baby boy is coming. Who made those colors gender specific anyway? It’s okay for girls to like sports, and for guys to like cheerleading and shopping. It’s okay for girls to wear sweatpants and tennis shoes, and for guys to wear tank tops and Sperry’s! American’s are obsessed with labels, and I refuse to be labeled “one of the boys” because of my love for sports and sweatpants. I don’t care what you like, I care about what you’re like.
So stop labeling girls that like sports “one of the boys” or boys that like dance “sissy’s.” We live in a world that is obsessed with labeling, and putting everything into a category, but is that totally necessary? I have lived my life being labels a tom boy, but why? If people let others be, this world would be a much less confusing, and much more accepting.
