Tomboy

A tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy,^[1] including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the domain of boys.

In recent times, as the ubiquity of traditionally female clothing such as dresses, blouses, and skirts has declined among Western females, the distinction has become more and more one of behavior. A general increase in the popularity of women's sporting events (see Title IX) and other activities that were traditionally male-dominated is today broadening tolerance and lessening the impact of 'tomboy' as a pejorative term.^[2]

There is a perceived correlation between tomboys and lesbianism.^{[citation needed]} While some tomboys later reveal a lesbian identity in their adolescent or adult years, behavior typical of boys but displayed by girls is not a true indicator of one's sexual orientation.^{[citation needed]}

Gender scholar Judith Halberstam has found that while the defying of gender roles is often tolerated in young girls, older girls and adolescents who display masculine traits are often repressed and punished.^[3]

There have been few studies of the causality of women's behavior and interests, when they do not conform to the female social gender role. One report from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children suggests that preschool girls engaging in "masculine-typical" gender-role behaviour, such as playing with toys typically preferred by boys, is influenced by genetic and prenatal factors.^[4] Tomboys have also been noted to demonstrate a stronger interest in science and technology.^[5]

Look up tomboy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Category:Tomboy.

• Tomboys and sissies: Androgynous children?
• Tomboys! Feisty Girls and Spirited Women A film by Julie Akeret and Christian McEwen