Thinking before we speak to littles is always important, but especially if you’re in a position of authority over young children—like a parent, of course. Or a teacher. In this dad’s viral TikTok, he shares his disappointment with his young son’s teacher after the boy comes home from school and says his teacher told him painted nails are “only for girls.”
“My son came home from school upset because his teacher told him that painting his nails is only for girls, so today I’m taking him to the nail shop!” Christian Shearhod said in a video shared to TikTok this week.
His son, Ashton, is just three years old. Of course he thinks nail polish is cool! What kid wouldn’t want to sport colorful nails? Because it is cool, no matter your age. Or gender.
Related: No ‘Miss’ or ‘Mr.’ here—students address their non-binary teacher in viral TikTok
Ashton’s dad, Christian Shearhod, decided to take his son to the nail salon and document it on TikTok. The video, which now has over 4 million views, captures the whole family at a West Hollywood nail salon. At one point, Ashton is perusing the colors (as we all do) before shouting, “I want pink!” And then received an adorably bright manicure and pedicure.
Christian, who teaches at an LA County school, says his son has loved nail polish since he was two, and that the pair often paint their nails together. He tells NBC News that he hopes the nail salon experience helps Ashton feel better about the incident.
“I really just wanted to make sure that he didn’t have guilt or shame, because it is something that he enjoyed, and we had done together multiple times,” Shearhod said, adding that he wants his son to enjoy life without worrying about “strict gender norms.”
Christian says he asked Ashton’s preschool teachers not to dismiss his interests pertaining to nail polish, or other things.
“I just told them, ‘Hey, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say that kind of thing to Ashton, kind of let him do his own thing.’”
On a related note, have you ever noticed that when girls wear clothes with dinosaurs on them or play with trucks or wear all-grey onesies, it’s perfectly okay and even touted as a positive, “gender-neutral” thing? But unfortunately, when it comes to stereotypically feminine things—like boys wearing pink or painting their nails—it’s chided and dismissed more often than not. It’s just another way misogyny and the patriarchy seep into every possible facet of raising children, even in 2023.
Related: Jennifer Lopez uses gender-neutral pronouns to introduce one of her twins
Thousands of people shared their support in the comments section of the video:
As a teacher, I am so sorry. I always tell my students there aren’t “boy” or “girl” things. Just things that we like
That teacher is out of line! Most rock stars I know paint their nails! It’s for everyone!!!!
I legit don’t understand how we are still having this issue. Like it is 2023, let kids be kids! If he wants to paint his nails, let him!
Way to go parents! Let that sweet kid paint those nails! There is no rule that says boys can’t paint their nails! Shame on that teacher!
Christian, who endures lots of hateful comments for dating a transgender woman and refusing to label his toddler’s sexuality, says he hopes to use his TikTok account to advocate for LGBTQ students.
Shearhod said that despite the negativity he sometimes receives, he wants to use his platform to advocate for LGBTQ students.
“I just want to inspire students to really want to be themselves, unfiltered.”