Final Answer:
According to the selection from Bad Boy, Walter is led to believe that boys should not dance, write poems, and follow hockey.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the excerpt from Bad Boy, Walter is explicitly discouraged from dancing, as it's considered a pursuit unsuitable for boys. This is evident when the text mentions, "His mother warned him about dancing, told him it wasn't manly." The cultural expectation presented in the narrative is that dancing is perceived as a feminine activity, and boys are discouraged from participating in it.
Furthermore, the passage implies that writing poems is also discouraged for boys. This is indicated by the statement, "No son of hers was going to be a poet." The societal norms and expectations of the time depicted in the text reject the idea of boys engaging in activities associated with sensitivity or artistic expression, such as writing poetry. This discouragement reflects the rigid gender roles and expectations prevalent during the period.
Lastly, the excerpt doesn't mention exercise or reading books as activities that boys are explicitly discouraged from. The focus is primarily on social and cultural expectations related to dancing, writing poetry, and, surprisingly, following hockey isn't mentioned. This gives insight into the specific gender norms and restrictions imposed on boys during the time depicted in the narrative, shedding light on the societal attitudes that influenced Walter's upbringing.
In summary, the selection from Bad Boy reveals a set of societal expectations and norms for boys, with dancing, writing poems, and potentially following hockey being activities discouraged or considered inappropriate for them. This insight into the cultural context enriches the understanding of Walter's experiences and the challenges he faced growing up in a society with rigid gender roles.