Preschool Feminist
I overheard the following excellent conversation between two four-year-olds when I dropped my daughter off at preschool last week. Names have been changed.
Patrick: Boys are smarter than girls.
Miss S: Why do you think boys are smarter than girls, Patrick?
Patrick: They are. They are--boys are just smarter.
Sarah (looking up from her Legos): I don't think that's true, Patrick. I think boys can be smart and girls can be smart. They both can be smart. You're very smart, Patrick.
Patrick: I'm smarter than you, Sarah.
Sarah (looking away from Patrick and back at her Legos): Please stop saying that, Patrick. It's annoying me.
Patrick: What does annoying mean?
Patrick: Boys are smarter than girls.
Miss S: Why do you think boys are smarter than girls, Patrick?
Patrick: They are. They are--boys are just smarter.
Sarah (looking up from her Legos): I don't think that's true, Patrick. I think boys can be smart and girls can be smart. They both can be smart. You're very smart, Patrick.
Patrick: I'm smarter than you, Sarah.
Sarah (looking away from Patrick and back at her Legos): Please stop saying that, Patrick. It's annoying me.
Patrick: What does annoying mean?