Boy, five, loves dresses so much he wears one to school every day and his proud mum couldn’t be happier
Little Cian Kells has been brought up by his parents not to conform to stereotypes
A BOY who loves dresses so much he wears one to school every day is breaking down gender stereotypes.
Little Cian Kells, five, has been brought up by his parents not to conform to labels and so doesn't only wear what has been traditionally set out for boys.
Cian's mum Crystal Kells, 33, believes that children should be free to choose what they want to wear regardless of gender norms but admits not many boys would share his passion for dresses.
Professional photographer Crystal said: "We let him choose his clothes and what he wears based on what makes him happy and only enforce him wearing pants or shorts when we do activities where dresses are not always safe like hiking or go-karting.
"Cian started this past fall in Junior Kindergarten at a Catholic school that wears uniforms and he wears the school uniform dresses every day.
"The school has been very supportive.
"I think his desire to choose dresses most of the time over trousers and a shirt comes from my husband and I not labelling things for him."
Crystal and Brian Kells, Cian's father are hoping to raise him with the values Crystal's mum instilled in her growing up which is to express himself fully without holding back.
The parents from Hamilton, Ontario, in Canada, argue that there is no reason why boys must stick to T-shirt and trousers and girls pretty dresses.
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Crystal said: "My parenting is very similar to how my mother raised me. She always challenged me to be myself - even if it went against the norms.
"She always encouraged me to be myself and to express myself in a happy and healthy way. I was a bit of a tomboy growing up as well.
"Now, his love of dresses? I think that is an extension of his personality. I cannot say that I think all children would dress as Cian does if they were given the freedom to choose what they wanted to wear without gender stereotypes."
The mum believes that if given the choice, some boys would be drawn to "boy clothes" and some girls would only chose feminine outfits.
But she added: "I do think that we would see a lot more children being drawn to both if they were given the freedom.
"He's never commented on other children and how they choose to dress or their interests. He likes what he likes and finds friends based on that.
"He has friends that are both boys and girls at school and outside of school with common interests."
Last year there were around 80 schools, half primary, who had adopted “gender neutral” uniform policies.
At many of these state schools in England, girls were already allowed to wear trousers.
Earlier this year a mum revealed she sends her four-year-old son to school in a My Little Pony dress – and says he begs to wear his Cruella De Vil costume.