What is a 'typical ' boy?

Poor chap - let's hope that none of this nonsense is coming from his parents.

What a huge pity - how sad. have you talked to his parents and discussed your concerns re comments made and possible effects? What do his mum and dad think about it all.

Totally agree that putting labels on kids so young (including selection for academic/vocational) is just soooo wrong.

Its lucky he's got you. Its important at any age I suppose to have people who really appreciate you. I bet he'll do well in life.

Girls are so lucky- they can be tom boys and play rugby, and also be fairies and do ballet- and no-one bats an eyelid.

My dgs is 16, he also is quiet and gentle, with some lovely friends. Only yesterday his mother said she thought he was 'gay' as he hadn't had a girlfriend yet (to her knowledge). He would be mortified if he had heard her say it.
My DH and I think he is a late starter. We will love him whatever.

Not with my grandchildren but certainly plenty during my many years as a primary school teacher. It is lovely to hear that he enjoys these things...I guess the only issue might be that these are quite self contained activities and he might have difficulties with a wider set of friends. You mention the words 'gentle' and 'kind'....what great qualities and to be celebrated. Yes he doesn't fit sone people's idea of a 'typical boy' but he is an individual doing the things that he enjoys. Good for him and good for him for also not being pressurised into such things as football. He sounds delightful.

Poor lad; I hope he has the confidence to be himself. What a shame that the label "gay" is used so easily these days. At 10, how can he have any idea about what his sexuality may turn out to be, and how on earth do these people think it relates to a quiet nature and an interest in computers, reading and stationery? (You might be describing my DGSs there.) He has friends who presumably like him for what he is, and if he is a naturally kind person he will find that people, (including girls should he turn out not to be gay after all!) will be drawn to him.

I agree that girls are lucky, although I think we have to watch out for the princess/pink brigade who think that they shouldn't be allowed to be tomboys, and there are too many people who think that all boys should be tough and aggressive, even if that is not their nature. We all know where misplaced toughness and aggression get us...

Good luck to your DGS, oldgoose, and to you in your support of him.

One of my grandsons has a similar nature. His Dad (our son) was like that too.
When he was in his 20s our son said to me, don't worry Mum, I'll be a father one day. He was an admirer of David Bowie in his hermaphrodite phase.
It takes all sorts.
Giving children a label like that is completely wrong and harmful.

Why is it because a boy is quiet he is immediately labelled as gay. If close family and friends said that about my child they would never be allowed in the house again. That is absolutely cruel. It is rediculous to say a child is one thing or the other just because they don't fit into a certain box. Why should a boy be physical, like football, fight other boys. I hope Oldgoose he can rely on you to flatten anyone who makes that suggestion in the future. His parents should encourage all that he wants to do and to be.

Thankyou everyone, it's good to see that people understand and appreciate that boys can be individuals and that some of you have had children who were similar.
His parents are very supportive of him. I have to admit that my Son-In-Law (a very 'blokey' sort) started to take my grandson to football matches and my grandson hated it and dreaded it. He would be pacified with a cup of hot chocolate and some crisps but now my son-in-law has realised that he would be better taking his daughters, who both love football (both playing and watching - in fact the younger one is going to join a girl's team in September). To be honest I get a bit upset that I can't paint my Grand-daughter's nails or do their hair, but they are both dead against it ! I am always telling my Grandson what a great person he is, a good friend to have, polite and friendly and that this will stand him in good stead in later life and I think that pleases him.

There isn't such a thing as a typical boy any more than there is a typical girl or typical any gender. That went out with the arc and we allow people to be themselves now.

Probably more geeky than gay. If anyone starts sniping or categorising remind them it's not the macho-men that run the world and make fortunes these days - it's the geeks like Bill Gates. And its the geeks that design all that modern technology - from formula one cars to smart phones.

You can't put labels on children; being quiet and studious does not necessarily mean he is gay.
And anyway, very 'blokey' macho men are often gay.

He sounds as if he's a lovely boy.

The first paragraph of the OP describes everything my GS1 is not. He has just turned 12 and is a computer nerd, who has an ambition to design computer games. He is affectionate, kind and considerate. The girls at school like him and he has been out with some of them. He's tall for his age and has a quirky sense of humour. In primary school he was on the school council, so is a popular guy despite having two left feet on a football pitch! All of our GSs are their own men, no matter what their attributes and so much the better if they do not feel they have to conform to a macho image. You can tell that I love him to bits!

I dislike the typical boy/girl tag, they are little individuals and should be loved and respected as such

My eldest nephew was one of five boys who were all sporty and outgoing. He was quiet and artistic (a superb and talented woodcarver and photographer) and a first class carpenter. His father didn't like any of the traits he exhibited or the fact that he didn't like sport or "kick over the traces" occasionally like the other four. For his 21st birthday he was offered the choice of a set of golf clubs or nothing. He chose the golf clubs, locked them in a cupboard and never looked at them again. You have to celebrate the differences in your children and grandchildren. We only have one grandchild, and he is very sporty and gregarious, but I like to think that if he had a quieter nature and different interests, he would be encouraged and nurtured in every way.

In our household our son was the gentle caring thoughtful one, just like his father. Our daughter was the tyke running everywhere, climbing on things, falling in ponds. Good at maths and physics and generally giving a very good impression of a 'typical' boy.

We now have 2 DGC. DGD has inherited the gentle caring ways of DS (and DDiL). DGS? Ah, yes, loves everything to do with fighting, all fantasy and knights - and Saxons and Vikings. He seems to have inherited the engineering interests of both DGF's. In other words he seems to be fitting the stereotype. Except, thankfully, totally uninterested in football.

These stereotypes are ridiculous. Every child is different and gender has relatively little to do with it, unless pressured by gender conditioning at home.

A gentle and kind boy will hopefully grow up to be a gentle and kind man. The girls will love him.

Not all boys and men are macho types and I know a few sensitive and quiet men who are anything but gay but it shouldn't matter one jot.

He sounds like a lovely boy.

I agree oldgoose, it's unfair to label children's sexuality when they're still at primary school. It's unlikely this boy is unaware of the talk about him. I may be misunderstood, but my impression is the term gay isn't being used positively.
I have a number of gay friends/relations and my adult children have friends they grew up with who came out as lesbian or gay in their teens. One of my grown up grandchildren struggles with possibly being gay or more recently transgender. The view that child/young adult expressed to me when I said I had no concerns about their sexuality and would always love them, was relief at being part of a family where the conflicts within could be talked about without criticism or teasing. I know that's a long way from your post about your 10 year old grandson and I do hope people are positive, rather than negative about his personality.

My DS was quiet, hated football, shy and had nothing to do with girls until he was in his 20s. He is now happily married and the proud father of 2 gorgeous girls who love him to bits. He has a happy family life. Several close male and female friends and is a calm, confident man. He still hates football!!!

Except, thankfully, totally uninterested in football Why thankfully?
DS was not allowed to play rugby (medical grounds) so thank goodness for football as he likes sport.
Although, as well as enjoying playing football, he was (and is) a gentle, caring and sensitive boy, now man.
One does not exclude the other.

No such thing as a typical boy. Research shows that both genders have identical brains at birth. Their characteristics develop because of the way they are brought up and their influences. So let all children be who they are and do not stereotype the!

No such thing as a typical boy. Research shows that both genders have identical brains at birth. Their characteristics develop because of the way they are brought up and their influences. So let all children be who they are and do not stereotype the!

No such thing as a typical boy. Research shows that both genders have identical brains at birth. Their characteristics develop because of the way they are brought up and their influences. So let all children be who they are and do not stereotype the!