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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that this is the worst example of gender bollocks I've found?

348 replies

nenevomito · 18/08/2011 10:05

So the Studio Christmas book arrived on my doorstep yesterday. I once ordered some personalised pencils and have forever more been on their radar.

I have had to put it away as I am so fucking angry that they are selling shite like this.
I want to be Girls dress up set

A horse rider, a maid, a nurse a ballerina or a beautician.

A Maid???? Yeah set the bar high on aspiration there you knobbers.

So what about the boys set? Is it as pathetic?

I want to be boys dress up

A businessman, a pilot, an astronaut, a postman and a policeman.

How the hell have we got to 2011 where this shit is still acceptable. I am not saying that girls shouldn't want to be those things, but why the hell isn't the girls "I want to be dress up set" - Doctor, business woman, pilot, astronaut?

Maid???? You are SHITTING me Studio!

Then I made the mistake of searching for girls roleplay and discovered they carried on with the theme. Sure. Why not. Let me set aspiration and expectation in my daughter by dressing her as a maid and giving her the laundry set complete with pink fucking whirlygig washing line. for the Girls roleplay

I don't often rant on here but Angry.

OP posts:
DirtyMartini · 18/08/2011 17:06

"Yes you did imply I though racism was ok."

No, I didn't.

mumblemumblethump · 18/08/2011 17:08

OK, but you cannot control everybody, or how they thik about gender. That little girl you saw will be exposed to plenty of cross-gender roles, and role models during her life. Just because her mother says stuff like that does not necessarily mean she is pigeon holed. At school, teachers should be encouraging strong role models of both sexes, so all is not lost yet.
As for Hamleys, I have never managed to skip any floors with my nieces, so I doubt many parents/relatives would get away with it. Grin

SiamoFottuti · 18/08/2011 17:08

debate, dears, stop interpreting rigorous debate as being attacked, its both tedious and weedy. I'm embarrassed for you.

mumblemumblethump · 18/08/2011 17:09

think

DirtyMartini · 18/08/2011 17:09

"Oh how insightful of you to twist my words to suit your own agenda."

I didn't twist your words. I paraphrased you, but I maintain I did so accurately.

You are the one who has been manipulating other people's words, IMO.

Cocoflower · 18/08/2011 17:10

Show us the 'debate' and we might agree with you.

Cocoflower · 18/08/2011 17:11

No- thats not paraphrasing- thats misintrepting.

DirtyMartini · 18/08/2011 17:11

Unfortunately the debate has been totally derailed, so, er ...

DirtyMartini · 18/08/2011 17:13
mumblemumblethump · 18/08/2011 17:16

Don't try and patronise me Siamo it won't work.
And Continuum,
If this was the first time I had seen it then by all means my quote

a few posters disagreeing, and as usual, being jumped on by those who are of a 'stronger' feminist persuasion

would be out of order. However, as I said earlier, I have often lurked in Feminism and see 'rigorous debate' being used to make people feel ignorant and belittled.

mumblemumblethump · 18/08/2011 17:24

So, going back to the O post, I agree that the dressing up clothes should be marketed for both boys and girls, but still say that it should be a choice.

Sell them individually, or different (neutral colour) options as well as the blues and the pinks. Don't take it away from those who like the colour, whether it is the fault of this 'patriarchal, misogynistic' society that 'girly girls' like pink.

I was a tree climbing, jeans, wellies, muddy, lego building child BTW. And very happy.
I just don't believing in removing choice to make things equal. Add to it by all means.

tethersend · 18/08/2011 17:26

Oh, that's a shame, was enjoying that.

I was disagreeing and I'm a feminist.

Thanks all for an enjoyable debate anyway.

Gotabookaboutit · 18/08/2011 17:45

SiamoFottuti - you name is almost as pretentious as you are and your attitude is patronising, which is ironic.

If you fear the sparkly tabard then don't buy it, but fuck the fuck off with the - ''if you do, you don't understand'' - I understand but don't give a fuck about your opinion - I know what influences my sons and daughters and isnt some £9.99 piece of tat that will be a ''waitresses'' outfit for about 2 mins and then will be used as something completely different and probably end up it the garden as a flag or somthing. You perhaps need to look at your parenting if you are that scared. And yes I know there are implications beyond my child but I personally prefer to save my real anger for things like human trafficking and female circumcision.

And yes to someone way back - I do know loads of very satisfied and fulfilled waitresses, postmen, grooms, plumbers, binmen, carers etc. most nurses I know love their profession, if not the NHS itself. There is actually quite a lot of i evidence that people are very often happier in jobs that are physical where you make something or have a physical input. Big movement in the US cant find a link and can't be arsed to.

Think these riots are alot to do with an '' aspirational' society that does not value hard work and perseverance.

SiamoFottuti · 18/08/2011 18:23

Whats pretentious about my name (other than its another thing you don't understand?)

And you are working to help re human trafficking etc how? Ah, I see, you're not. Toddle off then.

NotQuiteSoDesperate · 18/08/2011 18:24

We seem to have regressed back 50 years to when I was a little girl. Perhaps it's even worse as I can't remember so much pink and sparkly tat being around then. I had dressing up outfits and a box full of scarves a bits from my Mum. She made me a nurse's outfit, fairy wings and I also had my favourite cowboy hat and cap gun. She also made me a pirate outfit with an eye patch. We had toy washing machines and such, but they weren't pink but made too look like mini versions if the real things- not so many plastic toys in those days.

I do wonder where we are going these days.

Gotabookaboutit · 18/08/2011 18:29

SiamoFottuti - so psychic as well as patronising - I personally am professionally involved - what are you doing except prattling on ?

fotheringhay · 18/08/2011 18:31

I also wonder where it's all going... I do hope the pendulum will swing back again, but I'm worried it might not.

SiamoFottuti · 18/08/2011 18:32

Bravo. So "the little stuff" isn't worth doing too? So blinkered.

TheOriginalFAB · 18/08/2011 18:35

ELC sell a pink vets outfit. I bought it for dd but she has never worn it. It is in ds2's room now.

Gotabookaboutit · 18/08/2011 18:35

Little stuff is worth doing, but its not worth belittling people for.

MumblingRagDoll · 18/08/2011 18:36

The problem is that nurses and fecking vets and waitresses are all harmless jobs..or at least NURTURING jobs....cowboys, soldiers, policemen and doctors aren't seen a nurturing in the same way.

pigletmania · 18/08/2011 18:37

What a load of cack! I would write and complain. Infact my dd would prefer the boys dressing up set not the girls one. When I was little, I wanted to be a sailor, pilot, soldier Grin

SiamoFottuti · 18/08/2011 18:40

if they are happy to defend the belittling of another generation of women, I really don't care if I hurt their little feelings. Toughen up ladies.

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 18/08/2011 18:42

Gotabookaboutit - you do not garner respect for your opinions by starting them with a gratuitously offensive personal remark about another poster.

And if you are going to criticise people for their patronising tone, don't then patronise people yourself by saying you save your real anger for human trafficking and female circumcision (clearly implying this makes you a 'better' feminist).

I can see that the issues being discussed on this thread, and the issue of female circumcision are related, albeit at very different places on the spectrum. Both involve seeing women and girls as second-class citizens, though of course it is far more extreme to demonstrate this by mutilating a child's genitals than by suggesting by your marketing strategy that girls are more fitted for the more lowly paid nurse's job, whilst the boys will be the doctors, making the decisions and earning the big money.

Surely it is possible to object to both these things at the same time?