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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— Daddy Files (@Daddy Files)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— Daddy Files (@Daddy Files)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— Daddy Files (@Daddy Files)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— Daddy Files (@Daddy Files)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— Daddy Files (@Daddy Files)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— Daddy Files (@Daddy Files)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— Daddy Files (@Daddy Files)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— Daddy Files (@Daddy Files)1540254380.0
The thread had others showing solidarity.
@DaddyFiles My teen wanted to show their solidarity. 💜 https://t.co/Pv0ygWUZSi— Kimbrah Gonzalez ♿ (@Kimbrah Gonzalez ♿)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 @tattoosandbones For Sam: don’t sweat it dude. More of us are like this than you can imagine lol https://t.co/hcPbYgqeZH— Reclaimed Wood (@Reclaimed Wood)1540349734.0
@DaddyFiles @RainbowYeticorn Check it https://t.co/3cTla0icvb— Matt Horn (@Matt Horn)1540287094.0
@DaddyFiles My 6-year-old son likes nail polish and rainbows and sparkly colors too. Yesterday he wore a pink unico… https://t.co/awhbs1F89y— Rachel Nobel (@Rachel Nobel)1540303068.0
@DaddyFiles I rock pink nails all the time. And one of my favorite activities with my daughter is when we do each o… https://t.co/MCaLifa009— Martellus Bennett (@Martellus Bennett)1540260988.0
@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 Auset (she/her) (@Akila Auset (she/her))1540257175.0
@DaddyFiles It sounds to me like you and Sam deserve pedicures my sons love them!! Please hug Sam for me. 🤗👣 https://t.co/ECaZf5ffag— Ꮰɛɾɾí Ꭶωαղղ🍬 (@Ꮰɛɾɾí Ꭶωαղղ🍬)1540268072.0
So take that, bullies! Love wins!
H/T: Indy100, Huffington Post