A video of a boy receiving a sewing machine for his ninth birthday has gone viral on TikTok. Since appearing online, it’s enjoyed over 2 million views and prompted thousands of comments.
Watch below.
@daddyfiles Happy birthday, Sammy. Sew amazing! #sewing #gender #parenting #genderroles #raisingboys #boyswhosew #singersewingmachine #toxicmasculinity ♬ original sound – Aaron
Sam, the boy in the video, loves painting his nails and sewing. His obvious delight at receiving the sewing machine has melted hearts. It also prompted plenty of praise for the man who posted the video: Sam’s father, Aaron Gouveia.
Many wished their parents had been so supportive of their passions when younger, even if those interests didn’t align with traditional gender roles.
“Thank you so much for letting him pursue his passions at such a young age 🥺 I wish my family did that…” was one well-liked comment from a viewer.
“Sewing is such a wonderful and important skill to have! That will take him so far 🤩” said another.
In a subsequent video, Aaron showed Sam was already putting the Singer to good use.
@daddyfiles Sam made a new bag & it’ll be part of #nyfashionweek! #sewing #sewtok #boyswhosew #parenting #kidssewing #samsewgood ♬ original sound – Aaron
Evolving as a dad
In another posting, Aaron posted a response to the video going viral.
The whole family (including his wife and all three of his sons), had been surprised at how popular it proved.
Aaron noted much of the praise went to his parenting skills, but he wanted to ensure Sam’s mom also received credit. He admitted he hadn’t always been so accepting but mom had encouraged him to change.
“I have to admit I do feel a little guilty because some of the comments have been like, ‘oh what a great, supportive dad’. Maybe it’s because it’s novel to see a dad advocate for things like sewing,” Aaron said.
“Because I got to tell you, years ago, my oldest son is 14. And I distinctly remember, years ago, when he was a baby, I was in my 20s, and she put him in pink socks. And I lost my mind. I said ‘What are you going to do? People are going to think he’s gay!’ Cos he had pink socks on.
“I was that guy. I’m not that guy anymore. I’ve changed a lot. But I’ve only changed because of my wife, first and foremost. And then all of the friends I’ve made and the people who’ve set me straight. I’m a convert, but my wife was always on the right side of this.”
Related: The Internet is all aswirl because Justin Trudeau’s son wore a pink dress
“In a perfect world, this wouldn’t rate as news”
This is not the first time Aaron and Sam have gone viral. When Sam was four, Aaron made a video about other kids being mean to him for wearing nail polish. Some far-right websites reported on the clip, prompting many negative comments.
“But this time around, the response has been 100% positive,” he told Queerty. “I think people are craving good news and wholesome content more than ever (especially after 2+ years of COVID) and Sam’s reaction to getting a sewing machine was just one of those.
“The irony is, in a perfect world, this wouldn’t rate as news because no one would bat an eyelash at a boy liking sewing because sewing should not have a freaking gender assigned to it,” he added. “I hope Sam’s video has played a small part in breaking down that stereotype and changing a handful of minds.”
Related: Mattel introduces series of gender-neutral dolls to ‘invite everyone in’
Rock Star
so cool
Imjustsaying
Jeeez at nine I was laying in front of the TV watching reruns of “I Love Lucy”. Good for you, Kid.
marxist_homo
How cute. And good on the parents for accepting their son as he is instead of deciding he’s really trans and taking him to some quack for gender-affirming care.
quantum
Dad’s published two books with a company called Skyhorse. Their recent acquisitions include “The Case Against Impeaching Trump” by Alan Dershowitz, Woody Allen’s memoir “Apropos of Nothing” (regarding his allegations of abuse), and something called “The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health” by RFK’s son.
still_onthemark
Hmmm… I was just going to post that this boy-who-loves-sewing plot was in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” a couple of years ago. Larry David is charmed by this and buys the boy a sewing machine for his birthday. Larry used to be good friends with Alan Dershowitz but now they’re enemies because of that book. Martha’s Vineyard is all abuzz about it!
Ganybyte
WOW way to Debbie Downer this whole thing!
Wouldn’t it make more sense to contextualize this man with the books he’s written rather than focusing on the publishing house? Rarely does an author get to tell publishing companies what other books to publish– and usually authors with only 2 books don’t really get much choice in who is willing to publish them. Hannah Gadsby doesn’t get to pick what other comedians Netflix streams either. Sure Skyhorse looks like a shit show, but it also apparently publishes books such as:
Raising Boys to Be Good Men: A Parent’s Guide to Bringing up Happy Sons in a World Filled with Toxic Masculinity
&
Men and Miscarriage: A Dad’s Guide to Grief, Relationships, and Healing After Loss
Jim
Great parents, but then I remember having a doll (Ken type not GI Joe) when I was 5 or 6.
This was in the late 50’s!!!
HMFan
A fully lined tote bag, not to mention a sleeveless dress for his cousin; that’s awesome. Keep sewing, kid! You’re A-OK!
LumpyPillows
Fabulous!
Diplomat
The best!
Steven R
And when Sam debuts his line at New York Fashion Week when he’s 18, they’ll be able to trace it back to this TikTok.
seven5tx
This made me choke up. I have never been very fem or nelly. When I was really young, maybe younger than Sam, I wanted high heels. There was a big party for me and I got a pair of those toy high heels The kind in a plastic bag from the grocery store. Everything was cool but for years my girl cousins would bring it up and made me feel ashamed.
Someday that kid is going to be having breakfast with Anna Wintur. l
inbama
Nice to see there are still some sane parents who know most gender-nonconforming kids are just likely gay.
Kangol2
Very happy for this child, and I just hope his parents keep loving and supporting him! That’s the most important thing, even today.
bachy
Yes. Childhood is hard enough without your parents turning against you. More power to this boy and his family.
PascackJack
Always wanted a Barbie doll. Never got one. Sigh!
Cam
The Next Zack Posen maybe, who knows, good for him!