Ralph Bates was a bit of a hypocrite. He kept giving George lectures on how it's not necessary for men to be so macho, etc., but he didn't want his 4 year old son playing with dolls because he was worried that it would make his son too much of a "sissy". Just how macho did he want his son to be?
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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen 🎇
Ralph didn't want his son being picked on by the other boys. When you're an adult, the other boys picking on you is less of a concern. Many of the lessons Ralph tried to teach George involved opening up and being more vulnerable and understanding with his wife, which still makes it pretty private. I think there's some nuance there which leaves it only marginally hypocritical.
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I used to think I knew everything about the world. Now I just know that it's round.
Yes, but the poor child was only four years old. No big deal if he was still playing with dolls. Ralph was too hard on him.
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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen 🎇
There was nothing wrong with Ralph not wanting his son to play with dolls. The boy will be better off in the long run. Ralph isn't a macho jerk, and he's not trying to make his son into one.
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