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What the Research Says about Tomboys

Written by: Felice Amer Mera

How does society see tomboys and the LGBTQIA+ community? Let’s break it down by looking at how they’re shown in media, how families and culture play a role, and the challenges they face. By learning more, we can all work together to create a world that’s more understanding and inclusive.

Who Are Tomboys, and What
Challenges Do They Face?

Tomboys are girls or women who don’t follow traditional ideas of how girls “should” act or look. Some people assume tomboys are automatically part of the LGBTQIA+ community, but that’s not always true—identity is personal, and everyone expresses themselves differently. (Alvemark, 2021) (Martin et al., 2020)

Tomboys often face challenges like:
–People not understanding their identity, which can lead to unfair assumptions.
–Discrimination at school or in jobs, just because they don’t fit into gender norms.
–Lack of respect, as society struggles to accept different ways of being.

How Media Shapes Our Perceptions

TV, movies, and social media play a huge role in how we see tomboys and the LGBTQIA+ community. When these groups are shown in a positive light, it can help young people feel confident and proud of who they are. (De Leon, 2018) (Ward & Aubrey, 2017)

But media isn’t always helpful. Sometimes, it spreads stereotypes or negative ideas that make it harder for people to feel accepted. For example, in the Philippines, some shows still rely on old, harmful ideas, while others are doing a better job of being inclusive and progressive (Joseph, 2023)

The Role of Family, Friends, and Religion

Besides media, other factors shape how people think about the LGBTQIA+ community:
–Family: When parents and siblings are supportive, LGBTQIA+ individuals feel more loved, confident, and happy.
–Friends: Supportive friends make a big difference in helping people feel accepted.
–Religion: Some religious groups promote kindness and inclusion, while others hold onto traditional ideas that can lead to discrimination. (Reyes et al. 2019) (Castilo et al. (2021)

Why Misgendering Hurts

Misgendering happens when someone calls a person by the wrong pronouns or gender. This might seem small, but it can cause real emotional pain, making people feel like they don’t belong.

The problem often comes from outdated ideas of gender, like thinking there are only two options—male or female. To be more inclusive, we need to move away from these rigid labels and understand that gender is more complex. (Moerenhout 2022) and (Jacobsen et al. 2023)

Representation Matters

Seeing people like yourself in media is powerful. When LGBTQIA+ characters and tomboys are shown in a positive way, it inspires young people to be confident and true to themselves. These stories show that it’s okay to be different—and that everyone deserves respect.

At home, having support from family can make all the difference. Parents and loved ones who accept and encourage their kids help create a happier, more secure environment.

What We Can Do

Here’s how we can make the world more inclusive:
–Stop harmful habits like misgendering.
–Learn to see beyond “male” or “female” labels.
–Celebrate differences instead of judging them.

By staying open-minded and kind, we can help everyone feel accepted for who they are. Together, we can build a future where no one feels left out or misunderstood. This is about making the world a better place—not just for tomboys or LGBTQIA+ people, but for everyone. It starts with understanding, kindness, and standing up for what’s right.

References

Alvemark, A. (2021). Becoming a Woman Through Tomboyism A Qualitative Study of the Female Gender Identity of the Tomboy. Becoming a Woman through Tomboyism a Qualitative Study of the Female Gender Identity of the Tomboy. https://www.academia.edu/65183135/Becoming_a_Woman_Through_Tomboyism_A_Qualitative_Study_of_the_Female_Gender_Identity_of_the_Tomboy

Del Castillo, F., Del Castillo, C. D., Ching, G., & Campos, M. S. (2021). Centrality of Religiosity among Select LGBTQs in the Philippines. Religions, 12(2), 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12020083

De Leon, J., & Jintalan, J. (2018). Accepted or not: Homosexuality, media, and the culture of silence in the Philippine society. Jurnal Komunikasi, Malaysian Journal of Communication, 34(3), 408–425. https://doi.org/10.17576/jkmjc-2018-3403-25

https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1085&context=cecr

Jacobsen, K., Davis, C. E., Burchell, D., Rutherford, L., Lachowsky, N., Bauer, G., & Scheim, A. (2023). Misgendering and the health and wellbeing of nonbinary people in Canada. International Journal of Transgender Health, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2023.2278064

Joseph, C. J. (2023). Tomboys at the intersections: An exploration of contemporary tomboy identities [University of Otago]. https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Tomboys-at-the-intersections-An-exploration/9926478806301891#file-0

Martin, A., Gubbala, S., Huth, M., Johnson, S., & Romaya, A. (2020). Cultural Encounters, Conflicts, and Resolutions Cultural Encounters, Conflicts, and Resolutions A Posthumanist Pragmatism: Rereading Tomboys A Posthumanist Pragmatism: Rereading Tomboys. https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1085&context=cecr

Moerenhout, P. (2022). Misgendering and its moral implications. Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. https://arno.uvt.nl/

Reyes, M. E. S., Ballesteros, K. C. A., Bandol, P. A. A., Jimenez, K. A. H., & Malangen, S. D. R. (2019). Religiosity, gender role beliefs, and attitudes toward lesbians and gays in the Philippines. North American Journal of Psychology, 21(3), 559–572. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2019-75301-006 Ward, L. M., & Aubrey, J. S. (2017). Watching gender: How stereotypes in movies and on TV impact kids’ development. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/2017_commonsense_watchinggender_executivesummary_0620_1.pdf