outside the (toy) box

Yes, it’s good to know that we’ve gotten past all those old gender stereotypes.

I was looking at the Old Navy kids clothes when I noticed a fairly vivid example of that tight little box that boys and girls get to live in when it comes to gender roles (see “Gender Rules” above under “What Box?”). If you look at the “graphic tees” on sale for girls you will find shirts with the following sassy sayings:

Little Diva, Drama Queen, I Get Cuter Everytime U See Me, Perfect 10 (in the “baby girls” section, btw — ideal for any 5 year old - ICK!), Princess, Sw33ter than Sugar, You’d Be Cuter if You Looked Like Me, Girly Girl, Sweet Sassy Sweet, I Love to Study BOYS, No Pictures Please, I Love to Twirl, Almost Perfect and Getting Closer Everyday, Diamonds. Pearls. Bracelets. Bling.

Naturally, I was very relieved to know that just in case my daughter is not clear that her physical appearance is essentially all that she or anyone cares about or that she should aspire to be shallow, self-absorbed, and “sweet” that I can buy some shirts to help her grasp this. WTF?

And, for my son?

Big Trouble in a Little Shirt, Dino-Might Power, Mom’s Little Monster, 2 Cool For School, Ancient Torture Device (classroom pictured on shirt), No Homework, No Class, No Problem, Sir Dunksalot, Want to Know What it’s Like to be a Winner? Just Ask, Tiger Tots - More Pounce per Ounce, King of the Waves, Panthers Football Club, This Year I Made the Dean’s List, Just Not the Good One…

I best get his 8 month old behind to the gym. Do you think they sell steroids in infant dosages? And I hope the althletics do work out, since he is apparently supposed to be as dumb as a box of rocks. Once again, WTF?

It is a comfort to know that if I want to raise a stupid, over-agressive boy and a girl with an eating disorder that help is out there. Thanks, Old Navy.