Why Men Don’t Wear Pearls

It sounds so simple, doesn’t it. What is there to say about watches, rings, earrings, etc. But there is a world worth exploring with your child.

• Whether it’s a woven bracelet at camp or a necklace with a locket, we adorn ourselves with items that carry special meaning.
• Because jewelry is often expensive, because people have to save up for it, it’s often seen as having extra meaning. Very often people engrave extra special messages – personal messages.
• Both men and women wear rings, earrings, chains, brooches, watches, nose and tongue piercings (sorry – had to go there)
• Do crowns count as jewelry?
• Long ago people used to weave hair from their dead relatives into jewelry as a way to remember them. What do you think about that?
• People use jewelry to tell the world about their faith, their schools, their sports teams, their ethnicity, their favorite beaches and vacation spots, their pets, holidays, their military service – their birthday stones. You get the picture.
• Explore how they see the difference between men’s and women’s jewelry. Maybe check out pictures of their favorite performers and see what they wear.
• Ask them why they think men don’t (generally) wear pearls?

For a while after you have the discussion, it will be fun to notice/point out examples when you see them. Find a claddagh or school ring? People wearing crosses? Holiday earrings?