To think getting this kind of shit dealt with is what AIBU does best?

[Unrulysun]

Has anyone posted this monstrosity yet? too pretty to do Maths

There's a post about it on the feminism thread but I can't see one here.

It's 2011. They do know that over at Littlewoods right?

[AyeRobot]

Oh, it's subversive.

That's OK then.

[GeekCool]

Well either one is hardly a 'boast' really is it Onagar?

[onagar]

Like I said. Silly either way, but if they did mean it as a boast it is not so offensive as the other way.

I'm more shocked by the 'I'm with the MILF' if they really are sold to kids.

[weedle]

See I'm quite tempted to buy one for a friend (who is leaving her 'maths' job) as a leaving gift. She'd find it funny

I had a D&G t-shirt with loads of peas round a globe 'peas on earth' when I was a teen. Twas v cute.

[GeekCool]

That should have been 'neither' shouldn't it?

[minipie]

Huh Onagar? How is being able to do maths a "waste" of a pretty person?

Unfortunately this kind of crap DOES have an impact. Just look at the statistics about the number of girls who do maths and physics in all-girls schools versus the number who do in mixed schools. Guess what, girls in mixed schools are less likely to do maths and physics. Wonder why? Maybe it's because stuff like this teaches them that they would somehow be seen as geeky and less pretty if they are good at those subjects.

Of course there are worse things in the world than this. Doesn't mean we can't get cross and, hopefully, do something about it.

[Desperateforthinnerthighs]

I didn't do maths and physics simply coz I found them both at the time very boring!! Actually, maths was compulsory but didnt do physics. It had nothing to do with being geeky and less pretty and I have never really heard/thought that before. All these glamour pusses, Jordan (sorry, boak), Jodie Marsh (double boak) - they are all actually really intelligent girls. I am sure there are some better examples, just cant think of any at the moment.

I do sometimes think this world has gone slightly mad.......I really dont think I am cut out for this MN lark, I am too laid back

In the words of Jessie J:-

Slow down, enjoy right now
guaranteed you will feel all right!

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

minipie... Kids are at school for only a certain amount of hours per day. Parents are also supposed to have an input. If girls are not studying the maths and science subjects then there is something very wrong that has nothing to do with daft slogans on a 't'shirt. I'd be very offended at the thought that anybody, male or female, would throw away their educational choices because of what they read on a 't'shirt.

When I was at school, maths and science (physics, chemistry, biology) were all part of the essential curriculum. You can educate your own children to think for themselves and not mindlessly follow, it's what a parent is supposed to do. Standing apart from peer pressure is a huge thing though, admittedly.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Agrees wholeheartedly with DesperateForThinnerThighs. I'm too laid back for the angst also.

On the 'pretty' issue... it's very subjective anyway, completely relative. Some girls think they look a lot better than they do and look a bit out of place in said 't'shirts... they might as well get an education, just in case. The teen years are crazy and mad and bad...

[Desperateforthinnerthighs]

and by god I want em back, lol......................the teenage years that is

Actually, thinking about it, being a teenager was bloody hideous, all braces, boys and bad skin! Think I am better off being an old fart of almost 40!

[Katiepoes]

People like my cousin buy them. The woman that bought my 10 month old girl a 'Future WAG' shirt when she was born. She too buys into the 'it's a bit of fun nobody takes them seriously line'.
Gobshite.

(Shirt was a rubbish duster btw too much glitter)

[libelulle]

I'm most depressed by the fact someone can come on and say in all apparent seriousness 'I guess feminism isn't my thing'. I'm guessing then that you'd hand back the vote, the pill, the right to work, the right to an education, and the right not to be seen in law as the property of your husband? To name but one or two minor feminist victories.

I could weep.

[minipie]

Lying I agree that parents should be able to teach their daughters not to be influenced by this kind of thing and to stand apart from peer pressure.

But as you say, that is a huge thing and hard to do. I'm saying it would be a whole lot easier if there weren't these kind of products around that perpetuate the idea that pretty=dumb and clever=ugly.

[FreudianSlippery]

I'm with you OP, don't think it's funny at all. Was kind of hoping it was an April Fool

I'm hoping to be a primary teacher in about 6 years, and the degree I'm doing is maths-based. My eventual aim is to be a 'maths specialist' at primary level, and to be in charge of raising standards and expectations in maths.

One of the reasons I want to do this at primary level (despite people telling me I'd get more money in secondary) is that I believe by the time children get to secondary they are often turned off maths, they've 'learnt' that it is boring and for geeks - this kind of seemingly innocent merchandise only adds to that IMO and will make my job more difficult

[shesparkles]

Am I alone in seeing it as a bit tongue in cheek then?
I also don't have the urge to complain or take up any feminist cause because as an intelligent woman, I have complete and utter confidence in the fact that I'm any other person's equal, man or woman.

[BristolJim]

Reading this thread as a chap, all I can conclude is that there is no longer any need for feminism if a simple tongue in cheek phone holder is all there is left to complain about.

Which of course is a shame, as it isn't all there is left to fight for, but you don't half put a lot of energy into fighting the wrong battles.

[shesparkles]

BristolJim, I concur wholeheartedly-it's all about picking your battles....if you don't like it, don't buy it

[Lio]

BristolJim, come join us on the feminist board, we're angry about lots of other things too.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

minipie... Some people really don't take this stuff seriously and never will. They can wear all the 't'shirts they want but they don't buy into the slogans and they will teach their children to that effect. Sadly, others believe in plastic surgery, multiple marriage and 'WAG-gery as a valid career choice but do the rest of us really have to protect the mindless from themselves? It's not a job I'm interested in doing.

I think the point at which this started is when mobile phone slogans became 'in vogue'. There use to be a page of ringtones, wallpapers and similar on the backs of various magazines. I didn't find any of the slogans funny but then perhaps my sense of humour is more base and less 'self-promoting'.

[BristolJim]

Thanks for the invite Lio. I am a bit of a feminist lurker I must admit but on the whole, it is much too scary!

[Katiepoes]

I don't buy it. I can still comment on it. And who says this is all there is left to fight? Now tell me I'm empowered because I have the right to rub my bits up against a pole. Or am I jealous because I'm not pretty? Or have no sense of humour?

[AyeRobot]

I think this thread shows exactly why there is still a need for feminism.

And if anyone thinks that this kind of thing is all that feminists get angry/irritated/pissed off about, then you are even more ignorant than you appear at first glance.

[doggiesayswoof]

OH no - we are doing it wrong AGAIN!

Back to feminism 101 for me

(OP - I am with you. When the same proportion of girls as boys actually do maths/physics/engineering and go into related jobs, then I will relax about this sort of shit)

[BristolJim]

And if anyone thinks that this kind of thing is all that feminists get angry/irritated/pissed off about, then you are even more ignorant than you appear at first glance.

Despite making it perfectly cleat that it clearly wasn't all there was to get angry about? Oh dear, Ayerobot - you've made a bit of a fool of yourself there I'm afraid.