6 ways to embrace gender differences at school

Emanuella Grinberg, CNN

Updated 2053 GMT (0453 HKT) January 3, 2015

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From boys who wear dresses to girls who play on all-boys sports teams, children are breaking stereotypical gender rules in various ways. These iReporters <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/topics/1165122">shared stories</a> with CNN of how their children are breaking gender norms.<br /><br />Father Innosant Nagara believes that "gender is a fluid construct." His son, Ari, enjoys<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1168945"> wearing dresses</a>, as seen here at Fairyland in Oakland, California. "I wish he could grow up in a culture where what he wants to wear does not put him at a higher risk for bullying."

Photos: Kids who defy gender norms

Kids who challenge gender stereotypes – From boys who wear dresses to girls who play on all-boys sports teams, children are breaking stereotypical gender rules in various ways. These iReporters shared stories with CNN of how their children are breaking gender norms.

Father Innosant Nagara believes that "gender is a fluid construct." His son, Ari, enjoys wearing dresses, as seen here at Fairyland in Oakland, California. "I wish he could grow up in a culture where what he wants to wear does not put him at a higher risk for bullying."

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"My son is only 3 years old, so a lot of people say I need to 'teach him how to be a boy,' " says <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1166047">Tempest Rose</a>. "I say patooie." Her son, Spencer Draven Ingram, likes wearing a tutu sometimes. While that's OK at home, Rose worries about when he gets older. "I am terrified for his school years because I know kids will pick on him. I think something needs to be done about what we're teaching our children."

Photos: Kids who defy gender norms

Kids who challenge gender stereotypes – "My son is only 3 years old, so a lot of people say I need to 'teach him how to be a boy,' " says Tempest Rose. "I say patooie." Her son, Spencer Draven Ingram, likes wearing a tutu sometimes. While that's OK at home, Rose worries about when he gets older. "I am terrified for his school years because I know kids will pick on him. I think something needs to be done about what we're teaching our children."

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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1165141">Garrett Phillips</a>' 10-year-old daughter, Evie, dressed up as Daryl Dixon, her favorite character from "The Walking Dead," last Halloween. "She's all girl with ears pierced and painted fingernails but wants to wear boys' clothes and play sports with boys," her father said.

Photos: Kids who defy gender norms

Kids who challenge gender stereotypes – Garrett Phillips' 10-year-old daughter, Evie, dressed up as Daryl Dixon, her favorite character from "The Walking Dead," last Halloween. "She's all girl with ears pierced and painted fingernails but wants to wear boys' clothes and play sports with boys," her father said.

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When someone at preschool told <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1166892">Laura Hinkle's</a> son the headband he was wearing was for girls, he stood up for himself. "Headbands aren't for girls. Headbands are for heads," the 6-year-old said. Hinkle's son is a gender nonconforming boy. He prefers the colors purple and pink and he wears dresses to preschool sometimes.

Photos: Kids who defy gender norms

Kids who challenge gender stereotypes – When someone at preschool told Laura Hinkle's son the headband he was wearing was for girls, he stood up for himself. "Headbands aren't for girls. Headbands are for heads," the 6-year-old said. Hinkle's son is a gender nonconforming boy. He prefers the colors purple and pink and he wears dresses to preschool sometimes.

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