'Bullies are built at home': Woman slams mum for judging son

“Telling boys they can’t do 'girl things' plants a seed that such acts are bad or stupid."

A mum just entered the chat on boys playing with makeup, and she’s done it flawlessly.

In a TikTok, the mum takes on the debate in response to another parent’s video, where that creator expresses her discomfort with her own son’s interest in playing with her makeup.

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"He’s loved for who he is and what he’s interested in"

User @payalforstyle offers a different perspective, as a mum also raising boys. 

“When you let your son play with or be curious about makeup or nail polish, I see three main outcomes,” she says in a clip captioned, "Bullies are built at home."

The first outcome she highlights is dismantling gender roles that limit both women and men.

“If you do some reflection as a woman, those have not worked for you, either,” she points out. 

“Telling boys they can’t do girl things plants a seed that girl things are bad or stupid,” she continues. Her argument is that "misogyny is perpetuated" by excluding boys from feminine activities. 

Her second point is that it builds trust and shows them that a parent’s love is unconditional.

“He’ll get the message that he can be open and authentic with you,” the mum explains. 

“He’s loved for who he is and what he’s interested in… He’ll know that your love and support of him isn’t conditional upon any of that. I don’t know about you, but communicating that is my main goal as a parent.” 

The mum says letting boys play with makeup dismantles gender norms. Image: TikTok/payalforstyle

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"Such a great mum!" 

Her last point is confidence. She shares a personal memory from her time as a teacher, where a boy wore a dress to school.

“He walked in with so much confidence that not a single kid in the room had the audacity to even look in his direction too long and definitely not make a comment. Bullies prey on weakness, never on confidence,” she explains. 

“Raising a confident kid is mindful work. Raising a bully is also mindful work.” 

Her comment section echoed with agreement. Even makeup guru James Charles praised the mother, writing, “Such a great mum!” 

Another viewer added, “Yep! I always let my son do his makeup next to me or whatever he is interested in trying." 

A third father complimented her argument: “I’m a dad. I’ve painted my son’s nails. It’s fun.”

If a little lip gloss helps raise emotionally intelligent men, we say pass the palette.

Originally published as 'Bullies are built at home': Woman slams mum for judging son