The little tomboy that could

We all knew, and maybe we were one of, those girls who dressed like a boy and acted like one when we were younger. Being a tomboy has always been a persona that suited some girls, but only for a short while. Kristen Hatch does an excellent job at showcasing how Hollywood only "allows" tomboys to stay tomboys for a small amount of time until they experience a transformation into the traditional role of a woman. She also pinpoints how tomboys have been portrayed from decade to decade in the twentieth century, that is: 

"rather than suggesting that the tomboy poses a threat to gender norms, the tomboy films from the first half of the twentieth century suggest that her transformation into a feminine woman is inevitable."  

So essentially, tomboy's are not a threat to gender because soon they will undergo an incredible change from jeans and t-shirts to dresses and heels. This inevitable transformation, in my eyes, has changed and the idea of a masculine female is more accepted in today's world but only if it is at an appropriate age. As Hatch explains, the tomboy often serves the purpose of being a character that has not yet hit puberty because it is seen as just a "phase" in a girl's life. And tomboy narratives are used to reinforce innocence with childhood because a tomboy does not like romance, thus the character is not sexualized in any way. However, if we look at a modern day tomboy like Ellen Page in Juno, the tomboy star is pregnant--clearly an association with sex and tomboys. And based on Juno's overwhelmingly successful run, society seems to be alright with tomboys at this age group. But recently, people have been throwing hissy-fits over Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, who wears boy clothes, has short hair, and wants to be named Ben! She is only 5 years-old and critics are already talking about her growing up to be a lesbian. This is a perfect example of how society will only accept tomboys at certain ages! A 5 year old girl is not allowed to have short hair and a little boy can't wear nail polish, but a 16 year old tomboy can be pregnant? Really America, really? Throw me a bone over here, please! Tomboys will continue to exist in our society, and just like any other form of identity we really just need to accept it!

Here's to you Shiloh! Keep on doing what you do!