So I nearly banged my head off the steering wheel in frustration on the way home from school today

[OhTiger]

Last day of term, they had a fabulous time, and DD9 had a present from her (young, female and very lovely) teacher, but was disappointed.

Why? The girls got bracelets and the boys got tennis balls. She would have liked a tennis ball.

I didn't actually know where to start on that one. SIGH.

[IWipeArses]

Oh man, that's really shit. Next time you see her, tell her.

[OhTiger]

I should do shouldn't I? She has the same teacher again next year. She's such a sweet thing.

[IWipeArses]

I expect she saw some lovely bracelets and thought the girls would love them and then had to think of something for the boys as an afterthought, she won't mind you explaining to her I'm sure.

[Parmarella]

Save up to buy her a tennis ball.

And as to that wicked wicked teacher, words fail me to describe her fecklessness ....

[IWipeArses]

Wow, wit.

[OneStepCloser]

I see your point, totally, it would have been better if she had offered the choice of either bracelet or ball, some boys would have liked a bracelet as well.

But.......it was a present, so I`m not sure how I would say anything without seeming a little ungrateful. Its a difficult one.

[peanutMD]

My DS got a grow your own Venus flytrap in a can kit as did the rest of his class.

I can't deal with gender stereotyping either its shit.

[lemonmuffin]

What a bitch.

Honestly, You should have shot her,

[EduCated]

This is always the hardest kind of thing to challenge, because to do so makes it sound like you're being ungrateful

[duchesse]

It is a shame she didn't buy tennis balls for all the children. What child doesn't like a ball to play with? It's a lovely thought to give her pupils a present but it does give out the wrong impression on so many levels.

[OhTiger]

She is not wicked or a bitch! What nasty things to imply I even thought. She is a wonderful teacher, and DD said thank you and I said how lovely it was to have a gift, I exuded no negativity to her, I promise.

It's just when I thought about it, it seems a shame that gender is being so prescribed so early, and by figures of authority. If a little boy would have liked a pretty bracelet... well he's even more unlikely to say so now. I was wondering if this casual stereotyping will ever end, when it is so ingrained, even in our schools. Good to hear it is going in some places though.

[Parmarella]

Ehm, nasty things to imply? ...

We were being sarcastic, obviously!

.... Duh

[OhTiger]

OH!!!

[IWipeArses]

Don't be embarrassed, it was shit sarcasm designed to belittle your legitimate concerns.

[OhTiger]

My instinct was to think I was being daft for not recognising it as sarcasm. But in quick retrospect, I think for it to be decent sarcasm, it should be recognisable as such, and also funny or thought-provoking at least. [blush retracted]. Good Point Wipe

[TeiTetua]

It's actually when sexism is perpetrated (and perpetuated) by people we like and respect that it's hardest to say anything about it. If the opponent is someone you'd willingly give a few kicks and blows to (not in a literal sense, of course) it would be a different story.

[arsenaltilidie]

iwipe actually it was a bit of sarcasm designed to highlight how a legitimate concern can be seen as trival.

Well that's how I read it anyway

[OhTiger]

The sarcastic comments took me back a bit. I in no way would want the lovely teacher to feel bad.

My point was absolutely, that it's EVERYWHERE when you start noticing. I've been guilty of the 'typical boy' comments in the past, before I started thinking. I would have stop myself now, in fact. But that because it's taught, by lovely teachers. What's the solution? Education. Bam.

[BasilBabyEater]

"Don't be embarrassed, it was shit sarcasm designed to belittle your legitimate concerns."

Spot on.

[edam]

oh dear, that's depressing and difficult to handle without sounding ungrateful.