Post by spydes on Jan 30, 2015 13:39:04 GMT -5
Hi there! I have a son, but I feel compelled to contribute to this. I did introduce my niece to comics around 5 years old and she's still reading them (and has expanded her interest in to manga/anime) at 13 years old.
First, try to not think of your kid as requiring anything special or different to intro her to comics because of her gender. It will serve her better if you give her access to as much varied material and inspiration as you can find, without any worries about how her being female will influence what she likes. I firmly believe that as parents it's too easy sometimes to limit our kids' interests by offering them what we think they'll like rather than leaving that choice up to them. If you've ever listened to The Missfits, you can see that my interests vary quite a bit from the somewhat more "swoon worthy" interests of my fellow Missfits.
That said, Bone was my niece's first intro to comics. But you've got plenty of time to collect some quality kid friendly comics! In the meantime, keep yours out of reach. At 2, my son's favorite book activity is ripping & tearing. Eek!
Hi Lissa!
Thanks for your thoughts on this topic. I understand that you're the mother of a little boy, but I think your experiences and feelings are entirely valid and helpful.
I could not agree more with your point about not letting stereotypical gender roles warp the selection of comics that my daughter is exposed to. Frankly, I feel there's way too much of this done in society at large, let alone comics. I may not fully understand the female perspective as a man, but I believe that girls (and ultimately women) should be encouraged to enjoy the full spectrum of life, and not only that which comes in a pink, fluffy, Gucci-branded package.
With all the recommendations being shared in this thread, I am quite confident that I'll be able to find lots of great titles for us to share. And, I love that the industry is creating an ever-growing tent for a young audience.
Thanks again for taking the time out to share. I have listened to the Missfits podcasts, and always enjoy your input there. Keep up the good work and I hope to talk to you again soon!