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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think its sexist to split baby, toddler and young kids clothes into 'for boys' and 'for girls'?

209 replies

entropygirl · 02/12/2011 15:14

So obvs for older kids and for men and women there are anatomical differences that mean it is valid to split clothes by gender, but that difference does not exist for younger kids.

I think supermarkets in particular could do something better than reinforce gender stereotypes for babies...

OP posts:
ReebleBeeble · 02/12/2011 15:20

Seriously?!

Build a bridge and get over it.

WorraLiberty · 02/12/2011 15:24

What Reeble said

How can supermarkets reinforce stereotypes for babies?

Only the parents can do that

Feminine · 02/12/2011 15:24

you have boys don't you?

Its a choice thing right? Grin

BonnyBanks · 02/12/2011 15:27

Well I have boy/girl twins and even at the same sizes (12-18 months, 3-4 years etc) they couldn't swap clothes (jeans etc). My wee boy is much broader in the shoulder and chest and narrower in the hips than his sisyer even at age 4. Children's clothes seem to reflect these differences. They haven't been able to share clothes since about 3 months (babygrows).

As far as colours go I'd like to see a bit less pink (just gets a bit
boring) but IME male and female body shapes are different even as
children. So I'm afraid I think YABU regarding the idea of a rack if gender neutral clothing.

Original poster
entropygirl · 02/12/2011 15:27

Im not telling you which I have....thats not the point. The point is that differentiating between girls and boys for any reason other than actual physical differences is sexism in my book.

OP posts:
samstown · 02/12/2011 15:28

What is the problem with gender specific clothes for any age person, I am still trying hard to grasp it!

I had a little boy a few months ago - I really enjoy putting him in little outfits sometimes, like little hoodies and soft jeans (a bit of a mumsnet no no I know but never mind!). If I ever have a girl I would love to dress her up in little frilly dresses from time to time. So shoot me now...

mollschambers · 02/12/2011 15:28

Meh.

Although the splitting of toys into boys and girls pisses me off. Both my girls asked for "boys" toys this year. A garage and cars isn't a boys toy ffs. Anymore than a toy kitchen is a "girls" toy. That is sexist imo.

Kayano · 02/12/2011 15:28

Or you could just buy the blue clothes for your girls etc

They don't forbid you from buying what you want for your own child!

PeppaPigHostage · 02/12/2011 15:28

What? Really? Why?

AFuckingFestiveKnackeredWoman · 02/12/2011 15:29
Hmm
Original poster
entropygirl · 02/12/2011 15:29

Bonny Im not prepared to extrapolate from your sample of two to the whole population....

OP posts:
AFuckingFestiveKnackeredWoman · 02/12/2011 15:29

Beg your pardon, its Christmas i meantXmas Hmm

Kayano · 02/12/2011 15:30

Sexism please.

It would only be sexism if the 'boys' clothes
Were more expensive than the girls or vice versa.

Angelswings · 02/12/2011 15:31

The shops get more money this way, if you have a girl first and save the clothes, you are less likely to use them if next baby is a boy. So out you go and by identical baby grows in blue . . . . .

samstown · 02/12/2011 15:31

Agree to an extent about the pink and blue thing, but only because it gets a bit boring! However, places like Next have a big range of quite gender specific clothing that features neither of these colours.

GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy · 02/12/2011 15:31
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 02/12/2011 15:31

I was a child in the 70s and remember a much nicer palette of colours available in clothes then - lots of primary colours, same with toys. I don't mind pink, I just wish there were other colours around as well.

MrsCog · 02/12/2011 15:31

I agree with you to some extent - I'm currently buying stuff for DC1 (boy due in March), but want to but non gendered stuff as much as possible as DC2 might well end up being a girl (if I'm lucky enough to have a DC2 one day).

However, so many of the clothes are very specifically for boys or girls - it's really annoying! Why not just have cute clothes for babies with a few boy/girl choices.

WorraLiberty · 02/12/2011 15:31

Dear Lord (if that's not too sexist a term)

Will people be happy when we've all become A sexual and morphed into one another?

Original poster
entropygirl · 02/12/2011 15:31

Ahh I knew someone would say that you can choose the opposite clothes...

And of course I do.

But, the point is that it would be considered racist to sell clothes labelled as 'for ethnic type X' and I have yet to find a supermarket with a Chav aisle. So if we extend this to kids we would have the situation where clothes are racked by size only and you just get stuff that fits....

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 02/12/2011 15:32

YY Samstown... because of the boring-ness, not the sexism.

Did you post this on feminism as well, OP?

ViviPrudolf · 02/12/2011 15:32

NO

BonnyBanks · 02/12/2011 15:33

Plus I like to dress up in femine clothes (skirts, dresses etc) why should my daughter be denied that opportunity (as she no doubt would be) by gender neutral racks of trousers and t-shirts.

I'm a feminist and am bringing both my children up with the attitude that gender isn't a barrier to anything they want to do/achieve but I am still essentially feminine and like to dress in a way that I feel reflects that.

Original poster
entropygirl · 02/12/2011 15:33

worra yup when people are treated the same regardless of sex I will indeed be happy

OP posts:
AntiqueAnteater · 02/12/2011 15:33

why? i dont want my boys dressed in girl clothes do i

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