Sainsburys "Girl" Bag

[Kpo58]

Sainsburys is selling a bag that just says "girl" on it (pictured) for Sports Relief. They apparently also sell one that states “Everyone is Beautiful”, but I have never seen it in the shop, just the "girl" ones.

AIBU to think that the "girl" bag is sexist? I cannot think of any reason why someone would want a bag that says that on it. They don't have a "boy" bag and I would think that its very unlikely that a male would feel comfortable carrying it.

It's not a bag that would inspire a female to get into sports or feel that they can do non traditional female things more.

Do Sainsburys think that only females do the shopping? The only way they could of made the bag more sexist is to make it pink with lipstick marks on it.

[MartinaJ]

I can't imagine a boy wearing a bag like this, honestly. It's not pink, blingy, looks OK. Can't see anything sexist about it.

[Vixxfacee]

Boys don't wear bags like that.

[Buzzardbird]

I'm more surprised by the grammar tbh. Not my cup of tea. I hope people realize my sex without being told...although I am a 'woman' rather than a 'GiRL'.

[CosyNook]

I don't think it's worth worrying about.

[SingingSands]

I saw them both in Sainsburys last month and bought DD the black and white "everyone is beautiful" bag to use for her PE kit. I was confused by the "girl" bag and we both agreed it was a bit odd, and that the "beautiful" bag was a better message!

[IthinkIamsinking]

The outrage police are busy today

[IthinkIamsinking]

Oh and YAB ridiculously U

[BeautyQueenFromMars]

YABU - it's not sexist.

It's odd, for sure, but not sexist.

[ProbablyMe]

I think YANBU. I saw them in the shop and they annoyed me. I know a couple of women who use "I'm just a girl" a lot as they think it makes them look cute and attractive to big, tough men :-/ They're both in their 40's ffs. I don't want to be called a girl - I'm a woman!!

[Paperchaserr]

I guess the other bag is more popular if only this one is left in store. Not sure it's offensive though.

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

Hahahaha. Really?

[blearynweary]

YANBU. It's a silly, anodyne 'message'. Is it really for Sport Relief?? If so then that is pathetic. The other one is not much better, I wouldn't use one and nor would any of my daughters.

[ctjoy103]

You need a life. Really? This outrage nonsense is getting ridiculous. Why don't you start a campaign or petition to get this changed then?

[Branleuse]

how is it sexist to have the word "girl"

Its not implying any stereotypes, or being derogatory or even saying anything at all except girl :|

[megletthesecond]

I saw that earlier and thought it was odd. And I'm usually a sucker for naice Sainsburys canvas shopping bags.

[IceBeing]

can I point out that 'everyone is beautiful' is not in fact an empowering message to women but just another way of focussing all women's minds on the fact that beauty is not only hugely important but the single most important attribute they possess.

'everyone is beautiful' is only a slightly less anti-feminist message than 'is your body beach ready'.

An actual feminist message might be 'fuck beauty, noone cares' or 'everyone has value'.

[possum18]

Really? Are people just looking for reasons to cry sexism now!? It's not like it's pink and fluffy screaming of gender role stereotyping! If you don't like the bag you don't have to buy it or look at it, have a bit of a judge in your head and go about your day, you'll feel a lot better for doing so than carrying your dismay around to dwell on

[IceBeing]

how is it sexist to have the word "girl"

It is sexist because 'girl' is used as a term of humiliation eg. 'don't be a girl - stop crying' or 'you throw like a girl'.

It is also clear the bag is not for girls, but for women.

Can you imagine a male carrying round a bag with 'boy' written on it?

[Janeymoo50]

Phone 101 now.

[possum18]

*Can you imagine a male carrying round a bag with boy written on it?
*
Boy London is a huge brand with their logo and appeal being around the word BOY. Is this offensive and sexist too?

[eatsleephockeyrepeat]

I would have thought it was a sports bag (looks like one) in which case it would seem more defiant than sexist, no?

Girls in sport is of course BADASS, and girls/young women are less likely to be involved in organised sports than boys. So why not have a bag that says "Girl", like "Yeah, I've got my kit in here, I'm off to get sweaty, and yes I am a girl - what of it?".

But that's just how I read it.

[blearynweary]

It's not sexist possum but it is gay.

Maybe the sainsburys bag was designed for lesbians

[Buzzardbird]

Eh? How can it be 'gay'?

[blearynweary]

Also boy London appears to have a nazi Eagle in its logo. So that's quite offensive yes.

[IceBeing]

possum I think that's all right in the UK, where 'boy' isn't used in a derogatory way - but I would imagine it might be different in America where it has racial connotations too.