Much of what is considered "good" in little girls is considered downright repulsive in little boys. Physical timidity or hypercautiousness, being quietly "well behaved", and depending on others for help and support are thought to be natural - if not outright charming - in girls. Boys, however, are actively discouraged from the dependent forms of relating, which are considered "sissyish" in male children.
Colette Dowling, The Cinderella Complex: Women's Hidden Fear of Independence
cinderella-complex, emotional-dependence, female-socialization, feminism, gender-roles, patriarchy, societal-constructs, women