Will and Jaden Smith Break Down Familial Gender Roles

Yesterday, Will Smith posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: "I saw this Father in @Target with his Child on his shoulders... I got Jealous. Fathers out there... Y’all ready for the #PiggyBackChallenge?" The picture depicted Will Smith with his son, Jaden Smith, on his shoulders. Next to the duo was a father with a small girl on his shoulders. 

The photo defied traditional familial and gender roles about how sons and their fathers are supposed to interact. 

First of all, Jaden Smith defies gender roles by often wearing gender fluid clothing and doesn't seem to identify with any concrete gender. Will Smith is very accepting of Jaden and his identity, often encouraging him to push the boundaries of what is considered 'normal' and 'masculine'. 

This is very non-traditional, and their relationship defies the pattern of heteropatriarchal, toxic, and masculine behaviors that are present in media and traditional views of the family. Seeing celebrities celebrating their children while simultaneously embracing non-traditional roles of the family is inspiring, and I hope that this behavior can become more normalized on other mediums such as TV and film.