So I dropped off dd at the Brownies disco yesterday...

Is it sexist for girls and young women to be able to attend a club which allows them to spend time in an environment away from pressures to behave in a certain way because boys are present? Actually, I don't care if it is. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that there are substantial benefits for children to be able to do some activities away from members of the opposite sex. I think my son loses far more by having no activities he can do without girls being there (as there are girls in his cub pack) than my daughter does by not having boys at Brownies.

Having one group for girls and one for boys isn't sexist! How ridiculous.
Pick your battles.
The issue of inappropriate sexualisation of pop songs and their accompanying videos is one to be extremely concerned about. Rihanna , Miley, Brittany all dress, speak and move in a way that creates a horrible sexist image for young people. They do this because it's how they make huge quantities of money and promote themselves so they can continue to make money. It's NOT about them "expressing themself as an artist". There's your issue.

As a guider, and as the one who ends up providing music for our parties, I choose the music carefully and would definitely not play Robin Thicke.

The poor girls end up with the questionable selection of suitable music I happen to own

So, a youth group choosing whom to have as it's membership is bad then? Just for info, not all scouting groups allow girls in them either, maybe we should go after them as well.

The Robin Thicke song is vile. There's no reasonable excuse for playing it at a children's disco.

The idea of a bunch of kids - most of whom will be praised with "good girl" - singing "good girl, I know you want it" is simply grim isn't it.

That whole song is grim but unfortunately insanely catchy.

Kids learn lyrics and suing along. They might not understand the concept of rape at that age bit they can still internalise the message of a man ignoring his female target's wishes.

Rainbows, Brownies and Guides are girl only because there are many girls throughout the world who would not be allowed to join if it was mixed.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts decided to admit girls largely because numbers of boys wanting to join were diminishing rapidly. Admitting girls has given the movement a new lease of life.

Do kids really listen to lyrics? I'm 35 and had heard this song many times, I hadn't really listened to the lyrics and only realised that there was uproar when reading about it on MN.

I'm not saying its right particularly, just that maybe theres less harm than you think.

the report is here

It was quite widely reported in the media, last week, I'm surprised so many people missed it.

I am surprised that people don't know why rainbows/brownies/guides is female only.

If you google I am sure there are explanations.

Also reading the report on sexism that the organisation just produced might give some clues.

HTH.

And yes of course the song was inappropriate.

What are the reasons given for boys not being allowed to join Brownies/Guides?
It does seem like double standards.

And yes, the song was inappropriate.

Oh the Irony..the sexist brownies campaigning against sexism

Exactly my point. Hence the irony over them campaigning against sexism.

"I've always found it ironic that Brownies and Guides campaign against sexism yet ...

They don't allow male children to join.

Nor do they allow men to become official Leaders/guiders. "

That's ok because they don't allow women or girls into the scouts either........Oh no wait.

I've always found it ironic that Brownies and Guides campaign against sexism yet ...

They don't allow male children to join.

Nor do they allow men to become official Leaders/guiders.

Anyway, a lot of people seem to think this song is just a typical pop song. There's nothing wrong with it etc.

Then other people, mostly the people who have actually listened to the lyrics, realise it's a song about rape.

I assume the Brownie Leaders were just oblivious to the lyrics and played it because it's a popular song.

Maybe have a word with them about it next time you see them? Ask them if they've actually read the lyrics?

It's on the morning radio or playing in shops constantly. There's no hiding from it unfortunately.

"I'm sexy and I know it" at a recent 3 year olds birthday party, nope, not inappropriate at all.

Fucking appalling.
I would have said something.