Expert: Dan - 6/7/2009

Question
I have been a tomboy since I was really young.  I always played football with the guys at recess and had more guy friends.  I have a lot of masculine qualities due to growing up around guys, which has made it a little more difficult to get to know girls well.  Now that I am 16, when I meet guys I have a different relationship with them then I did when I was in elementary and early middle school.  I still want to be seen as one of the guys and play sports with them and have them not be afraid of hurting me, but it seems more difficult the older I get.  Is there any way to have this type of a relationship with guys I meet after puberty, or is it impossible because they are looking at girls differently?

Answer
Hey

Well, for a little while guys think they've got things sussed and look at girls differently right around puberty, but you'll find as you grow older they don't really care how you act.  You could be a tomboy, prep, whatever, all that matters is that you're fun to be around.  So don't worry, just keep acting how you are and don't change for anyone.

Cheers,
Dan