Tomboy (noun) -- A young girl who would rather be playing football in the rain than out shopping and boy hunting. Hangs out with boys. Very sporty, and does not follow the latest fashion trends.
A climber of trees, hater of makeup and dresses, lover of skateboards, player of every possible sport, and close friend to all neighborhood boys—this is the ultimately tomboy lifestyle.
For twelve years, I ran alongside the boys. We played football in the street, skateboarded down the biggest hill in the neighborhood, and stayed outside until dark trying to build the largest fort possible. They were hesitant at first, but quickly gained appreciation for the girl with the personality of a boy.
I went through phases of fashion consisting of ponytails, basketball shorts, and oversized t-shirts. There were rarely days when I wasn’t picked first for the football team at recess…mainly due to the fact that I had no fear in tackling any boy of any size. Fishing was my favorite hobby; shopping was my least favorite.
When we became middle-schoolers, girls gained emotions and cooties and boys gained squeaky voices and awkward conversation skills. Yet still, makeup was terrifying and dresses were dreadful. The last decade of youthful shenanigans came to a screeching halt. Yet still, makeup was horrifying and dresses were dreadful—I felt like a clown wearing a clothe box with unshaved legs.
Boys and girls have been trained to follow society’s norms. If a girl chooses to dress like a boy, then she will be viewed as abnormal. We must wear skin-tight jeans, brush our hair, and put on mascara in order to fill the requirements that is expected in today’s world.
To this day, I would much rather play sports than go shopping. Baseball hats are easier to wear than curled hair. Fishing is more fun than going to the tanning salon. Pants are more comfortable than dresses. Building forts are far more entertaining than anything else.
I crave for the day that people will no longer be judged for dressing differently and enjoying activities other than what is expected of them. Until then, climb trees, wear sweats in public, and run with the boys—life is more fun that way.