Based on the author's viral New York Times op-ed, this heartfelt
book is a celebration and exploration of the tomboy phenomenon and the
future of girlhood.
We are in the middle of a cultural revolution, where the spectrum of
gender and sexual identities is seemingly unlimited. So when author and
journalist Lisa Selin Davis's six-year-old daughter first called herself
a "tomboy," Davis was hesitant. Her child favored sweatpants and
T-shirts over anything pink or princess-themed, just like the sporty,
skinned-kneed girls Davis had played with as a kid. But "tomboy" seemed
like an outdated word--why use a word with "boy" in it for such girls at
all?
So was it outdated? In an era where some are throwing elaborate gender
reveal parties and others are embracing they/them pronouns, Davis set
out to answer that question, and to find out where tomboys fit into our
changing understandings of gender.
In Tomboy, Davis explores the evolution of tomboyism from a Victorian
ideal to a twentyfirst century fashion statement, honoring the girls and
women--and those who identify otherwise--who stomp all over archaic
gender norms. She highlights the forces that have shifted what we think
of as masculine and feminine, delving into everything from clothing to
psychology, history to neuroscience, and the connection between
tomboyism, gender identity, and sexuality. Above all else, Davis's
comprehensive deep-dive inspires us to better appreciate those who defy
traditional gender boundaries, and the incredible people they become.
Whether you're a grown-up tomboy or raising a gender-rebel of your own,
Tomboy is the perfect companion for navigating our cultural shift. It
is a celebration of both diversity and those who dare to be different,
ultimately revealing how gender nonconformity is a gift.
