COMICSANDS
percolately
georgetakei
secondnexus
george's picks
Massachusetts dad Aaron Gouveia isn't putting up with any nonsense when it comes to other kids bullying his five-year-old son, Sam, and neither should the rest of us.
Gouveia, a former journalist whose Twitter account runs under the name Daddy Files, took to social media to set the record straight on the harmful effects of bullying and toxic masculinity. It seems Sam likes wearing nail polish, but came home after being bullied at school and wanted to take the polish off. His dad and older brother convinced him it was okay to wear nail polish, and painted their nails in solidarity.
Sam may like to know that a pretty well known guy by the name of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson doesn't think there is anything wrong with having his nails painted.
Gouveia laid it all out in a Twitter thread:
Sam is my middle child & he’s a terror. A “boy’s boy” as so many (not me) would say. He’s rough and tumble, he’s lo… https://t.co/l4HMJUBDKV— Get the shot. Wear the mask. (@Get the shot. Wear the mask.) 1540253968.0
Sam has a collection of purses because he likes to carry things around. And he also loves to have his nails painted… https://t.co/obPAsAHkF1— Get the shot. Wear the mask. (@Get the shot. Wear the mask.) 1540254002.0
So he proudly wore his red nail polish to kindergarten this morning because Sam has absolutely no concept of nail p… https://t.co/09evpoGUlS— Get the shot. Wear the mask. (@Get the shot. Wear the mask.) 1540254036.0
But his classmates did have a problem. A big one. Sam was ridiculed for being a boy with nail polish. They called h… https://t.co/wPApNigEs0— Get the shot. Wear the mask. (@Get the shot. Wear the mask.) 1540254058.0
Gouveia goes on to discuss gender norms and the way other adults instill children with toxic masculinity. Then things take a turn (for the even better!) when Sam's older brother decides to paint his nails too, in solidarity.
Gouveia then joins his sons in making a big statement.
After careful consideration, he’s leaving it on. Because he likes it and it makes him feel good. Then Sam’s 10-year… https://t.co/7F9BOlnOpS— Get the shot. Wear the mask. (@Get the shot. Wear the mask.) 1540254273.0
That moved me to paint MY nails. Sam picked out this color called “Main Squeeze” & I think it’s understated but lov… https://t.co/uUUly4Yhcj— Get the shot. Wear the mask. (@Get the shot. Wear the mask.) 1540254300.0
Intolerant parents and their offspring scored a minor victory today but they won’t win the war. I know that because… https://t.co/tibXhsghMi— Get the shot. Wear the mask. (@Get the shot. Wear the mask.) 1540254322.0
Be brave and shine bright, my beautiful polished boy. Know that mom and dad always have your back and if the rest o… https://t.co/UC4ac4MidH— Get the shot. Wear the mask. (@Get the shot. Wear the mask.) 1540254380.0
The thread had others showing solidarity.
@DaddyFiles My teen wanted to show their solidarity. 💜 https://t.co/Pv0ygWUZSi— RainbowYeticorn♿ (@RainbowYeticorn♿) 1540264317.0
@DaddyFiles Hi Sam, Sending our support from @renniksn and team in the @Salesforce London office. Your authenticity… https://t.co/8msn2TxfII— Pardot (@Pardot) 1540393592.0
@DaddyFiles @AynRandPaulRyan "I like dinosaurs & this shirt is shiny!" Jordy-age 6. Toxic masculinity has no home… https://t.co/w4wfDPj57M— Jenn B.S. (@Jenn B.S.) 1540350997.0
@DaddyFiles Lead by example you fab dads. https://t.co/5EV59z4Oc0— Tricia BAINES (@Tricia BAINES) 1540367326.0
@DaddyFiles @tattoosandbones For Sam: don’t sweat it dude. More of us are like this than you can imagine lol https://t.co/hcPbYgqeZH— marshall law, esq (@marshall law, esq) 1540349734.0
@DaddyFiles @RainbowYeticorn Check it https://t.co/3cTla0icvb— 🦇Scary Batamorphosis 🦇 (@🦇Scary Batamorphosis 🦇) 1540287094.0
@DaddyFiles Found it! Here’s the pedicure and my husband and the girls. You’re an amazing Dad. He’s an incredible k… https://t.co/YOeEvIGdsl— Leslie B (@Leslie B) 1540264992.0
@DaddyFiles Hi Sam! This is Tristan. He is 6 now, but still loves to wear bright colors!. Please never be afraid to… https://t.co/XiCIwcyzEv— Akila | #blacklivesmatter (@Akila | #blacklivesmatter) 1540257175.0
So take that, bullies! Love wins!
H/T: Indy100, Huffington Post