Is This True?

This is Lilly. Lilly has just started going to primary school.

She notices that some of the kids at school are telling other kids that they can only do “boy” things or “girl” things.

This doesn’t seem right to her. After playing outside at lunch, she tells her teacher about some of the mean things kids were saying.

First, she met Jimmy.

Jimmy is a 6 year old boy who is being bullied by Samuel because he can’t ride a bike.

Hayley says Jimmy shouldn’t cry though, because he’s a boy.

– Is this true?

No, everybody feels hurt or upset sometimes and telling people that you are feeling this way is important.

Then, she met Alannah, an 8 year old girl who likes learning about outer space.

When she’s older, Alannah wants to learn more about it at University, but her friend Indi says only boys are good at science.

– Is this true?

No, Alannah can study any subject she wants to at school and she might even become a scientist.

She heard about Joe, a 10 year old boy who likes reading and writing stories.

He wants to join a lunchtime book club but his friend Ella says book clubs are for girls.

– Is this true?

No, Joe can read stories if he wants to and he might even become a famous author one day.

Then, she saw Macy, a 10 year old girl who likes making toy houses with her lego blocks.

When she’s older, Macy wants to help build big houses for people to live in. Jack says that only boys can work on a building site.

–Is this true?

No, anybody can be a builder if they want to be.

She noticed Liam, a 5 year old boy who wants to be a hairdresser when he grows up.

Catherine says that only girls can be hairdressers.

– Is this true?

No, anybody can be a hairdresser if they want to be.

She also saw James and Seth, two 9 year old boys.

While they were playing outside together at school, Seth pushed James over because he felt angry.

Carly says it’s normal for boys to push each other and they should get over it.

– Is this true?

No, it doesn’t matter whether they are boys, hurting other people intentionally is never okay.

She met Alicia, who is 6 years old.

He says he is a boy, but Stephanie says Alicia can’t be a boy because he has a girl’s name.

– Is this true?

No, names aren’t just for girls or just for boys. Alicia can be a a boy if he wants to be.

Lilly also noticed Stacey, a 10 year old girl. Her favourite outfit is her fancy suit.

Stacey’s best friend Freddy is a 9 year old boy. His favourite outfit is his purple dress.

Jade says suits are for boys and dresses are for girls.

– Is this true?

No, Freddy and Stacey can wear whatever they like, clothes are for making you feel comfortable and protecting your body

She heard about Sam, an 11 year old boy who likes performing ballet.

Aiden says only girls can be ballet dancers.

– Is this true?

No, anybody can like ballet.

Lastly, she played with Sarah, a 5 year old girl who plays football.

Lizzie says only boys can play football.

– Is this true?

No, anybody can play football.

Sometimes people might say that you can only wear, do or be certain things because you are a girl or a boy.

When you hear these things, remember to ask yourself:

“Is this true?”.

Nobody can decide if you are a boy or a girl except YOU.