Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
28. The same holds true for boys
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 01:58 PM
Feb 2014

At a friend's baby shower, I gave a gift that I thought was gender-neutral. It was absolutely lovely and my friend cried when she opened it. But her mother-in-law shrieked that some of the design was too "girly" and eeek! was that coral color PINK? I couldn't believe that this woman was so afraid of a baby having anything touching him that might be somehow feminine. I asked my friend if that meant she thought he would turn out gay? If his baby blanket had a swirl and something in the range of pink, he might not be a manly man? Mon Dieu!

So I do see gender norms as getting more rigid in much of the country, just as we have had this strange backlash of fundamentalism. I hope it's just a small backtrack before we move forward. In places like Santa Cruz, I saw the future as I hope it will be: the coolest, gender-neutral, multi-racial beauties I have ever seen, not helicopter parented, just all chill and happy as sunbeams. This didn't include the yuppies who are taking over the area, where it was very clear that the intense competition for ivy league colleges and money also fueled intense gender stereotypes. So I hope, as equality goes forward in all walks of life it pervades advertising and the way we deal with kids.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Awesome! shenmue Feb 2014 #1
I refuse to buy 'girl' Legos for my granddaughter. Just the regular ones. sinkingfeeling Feb 2014 #2
Same for us. Our daughter all about Cars and Jake the Pirate Duplo blocks. kysrsoze Feb 2014 #9
best thing my parents did, and they were good, they raised us as people, not gender. seabeyond Feb 2014 #20
I can't even FIND "regular ones" any more! Xithras Feb 2014 #13
We are lucky here in Chicago mikeysnot Feb 2014 #16
Fabulous! And I do believe she's right. Kids haven't changed... Triana Feb 2014 #3
Different? reusrename Feb 2014 #4
? Bernardo de La Paz Feb 2014 #7
Sorry, it's from the ad. reusrename Feb 2014 #14
? Bernardo de La Paz Feb 2014 #17
That's it, the objectification in the new Lego campaign. reusrename Feb 2014 #23
Thanks. I agree with you about the objectificatiion in the new Lego object. Bernardo de La Paz Feb 2014 #24
Both the author and the subject seem very accomplished. reusrename Feb 2014 #25
Actually LEGO had been using gender specific marketing before this as well. progressoid Feb 2014 #5
they are not color coordinated though, ya, get your point. why would we become MORE seabeyond Feb 2014 #21
Agreed. It's much more extreme. progressoid Feb 2014 #27
In The Fifties "engineering" for kids was a non color issue grilled onions Feb 2014 #6
Amen. Hope it goes back to that. kysrsoze Feb 2014 #10
i was so excited to find the old lincoln logs and got for 4 yr old nephew. seabeyond Feb 2014 #22
hate to crash the party, but i can't read this site from my college campus alp227 Feb 2014 #8
Thanks for the warning. I am scanning my computer right now. JDPriestly Feb 2014 #12
scanned that URL, no problems. alp227 Feb 2014 #19
I scanned too and it was fine. JDPriestly Feb 2014 #26
What is this with all these pink toys for girls? JDPriestly Feb 2014 #11
Not only is the "girl's Lego" demeaning in color and horrific glowing Feb 2014 #15
made it to here, full stop seabeyond Feb 2014 #18
The same holds true for boys BrotherIvan Feb 2014 #28
i can't stand it when people tell a boy "that's for girls" JI7 Feb 2014 #29
My 23 year old son still enjoys pedis and sparkly pink toenails. JTFrog Feb 2014 #30
Nice! ismnotwasm Feb 2014 #32
I totally agree BrotherIvan Feb 2014 #33
Legos ismnotwasm Feb 2014 #31
As a parent, I find this gendering of toys as disturbing as well Nikia Feb 2014 #34
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»History of Feminism»The Little Girl from the ...»Reply #28