Advice for 11-yr old boy who chooses figure skating over hockey

Having some difficulty with 11 year old son's classmates and acquaintances accepting his desire to pursue figure skating vs the more accepted hockey for a boy, any advice? Kathy

Linda says:
This can be a very difficult situation. There are many more males in figure skating today and most seem to love the sport. Are there any male skaters in the same rink that you could ask how they handled this situation? You could ask a few other parents, maybe one has had a son in dance with a similar problem. Are there any male skaters or coaches who can be a mentor for your son? It is never easy being the different one, especially at that age.

Does your son's school have a guidance counselor who could help? A good guidance counselor can give both you and your son ways to deal with this type of problem and keep up his self-esteem. You can also remind the classmates that many hockey greats started as figure skaters (Bobby Orr). Some of the classmates may not be aware of the level of physical fitness that is required for figure skating. A little education can go a long way.

Traci says:
No real advise for this one.  Tough it out.  It can be hard and kids can be mean.  Your son should do what he wants to do, not be peer pressured into doing the guy thing!  Perhaps he should ask them why they play hockey and not figure skate.

Besides, your son is lucky!  Unlike the boys who play hockey, he gets to spend his time on the ice with the  girls, who don't have that horrible "hockey" smell!   :-}

Seriously...good luck to your son and tell him to hang tough!  This teasing phase will pass!