Author Rachel Naughton has just written a new book called My Little Tomboy. The book is currently being adapted into a feature film and is respectfully a critically acclaimed drama.
Rachel Naughton is also a black business owner and the Head coach of a BCCC division one college women’s basketball team.
What inspired the book?
I always identified myself as the girl who was a fierce competitor. I grew up within an environment where boys dominated due to the expectation that they were bigger, faster, stronger. Since I shared similar interests as the boys and most often outperformed them society identified my behavior as “boyish”. I always wanted to change the narrative on the label Tomboy. My inspiration was always to focus on the narrative; girls who were stereotyped because they didn’t fit the societal description of how a girl should behave. This became the heart of my storyline.
Why do you think that society makes girls involved in anything not considered
“the norm” for girls makes them a tomboy?
The term “Tomboy” was used centuries ago which defined boisterous and unruly boys. The term switched genders decades later labeling girls who have an interest and perform boy activities. Even women in leadership positions who exemplify male characteristics are stereotyped. Society labels girls who are intellectually and athletically as strong as boys a Tomboy. When girls are labeled a “Tomboy” it forces them to prove they’re equally good as the boys. Boys are thought to be independent, powerful, and assertive amongst other things so when a girl portrays those traits they’re viewed as boyish. It’s a way for society to accept a girl who is a “badass”.
Where can readers purchase the book?
My Little Tomboy can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
What was your life like growing up and being involved in sports?
Where I grew up there weren’t many girls who played sports. There were limited gender-specific athletic teams which made it challenging for me to play with girls. My only option was to play with the boys. They were tough but they had to be, they couldn’t be outshined by a girl. During my elementary school years, my friends and I would play whatever sport in season. In Junior High School, I joined the boys’ basketball team since there wasn’t enough interest from girls to form our own. There were many challenges behind the label Tomboy but it motivated me to carry it with pride and be my best.
You also coach Women’s Basketball, how do some of the players feel about being labeled for what they enjoy doing? I recently learned after women sharing their own experience of being a tomboy that most dislike the term while some of the younger population accepts it. Today, there is social media that allows them to embrace it because it is viewed by men as sexy.
Your book is being turned into a film, do you feel this will help society look at things differently?
The film adaption of My Little Tomboy will help society look at the stereotype in an aspiring way. It will teach people of all ages how to honor what they love and overcome adversity. Through the character traits expressed in the film along with the ostensible need of accepting women in positions outside of the norm. It will encourage people to accept women involved in anything assumed masculine isn’t an excuse to label them outside of their femininity.
Follow Us On Social Media!
