A mother has started a heated debate after opening up about her parenting and revealing she urges her son to wear dresses to school.
Lorenza Bruno is a 30-year-old educational worker and a proud mom from Florida who welcomed her son LJ into her family back in 2016 together with her partner Louis.
As the mother revealed, it has long been her goal to raise good humans and break gender stereotypes surrounding young boys and girls.
All Bruno now wants from her 4-year-old son is for him to grow up into an open-minded, loving, and accepting individual who will be mindful of other people and cultures.
“My number one goal as a mom – and as a member of society – is to raise good humans, so when I gave birth to my son LJ, who is now four, in 2016, it was easy to make decisions that supported his expression,” the 30-year-old admitted.
“I believe that in allowing him to express himself creatively and freely, he will also embrace others who do the same. It is so important to raise children that are open, loving, accepting and willing to embrace different cultures and people.”
Knowing just how deeply rooted “damaging” gender stereotypes in our society are, Bruno made sure to teach her son about acceptance from a very young age.
“From a young age, with the books we read to the language we used, I constantly tried to encourage and raise my son in a way that taught him to live freely regardless of society’s damaging stereotypes,” she added.
“I believe we need to be extremely intentional, which is something I’ve had to start doing more ever since he started school due to the influences around him.”
And so, the mother allowed LJ to fully express himself not only through words but also through his clothes and haircuts. After he expressed his love for the movie Frozen and the dress Elsa was wearing, Bruno also decided to buy him a replica of the princess’s gown which he wears with pride and enthusiasm.
Though the mother admitted her son sometimes gets bullied for wearing dresses to school and having long hair, she allegedly thought him how to stand up for himself.
“That being said, I won’t entertain or allow this conversation with friends and family who don’t agree with our choices. I want him to be able to stand up for himself, but when it comes to those we know personally, I will always have his back,” Bruno says.
“I hope that in the future, kids will be allowed to be whoever they want to be without being judged based on stereotypes.
“LJ is only four – dresses are fun, sparkles are fun and I don’t blame him for his interests. I think most kids would have many more interests if we gave them the opportunity to express themselves freely.”
As for the good of society, Bruno believes people need to become more inclusive and less judgmental towards people who are different.
“I don’t think that the kids who say unkind comments to LJ are purposefully being taught gender roles – but I don’t think they are being taught otherwise either,” she concluded.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to SHARE this post with your family and friends. For more news and stories, follow us on Facebook!