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

[entropygirl]

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...

damned italians with their good food and sunshine. Feck em. They dont get any of our baby clothes

YANBU.

It IS sexist.

Not because clothes are DIFFERENT for girls and boys but because girls are disadvantaged: I've seen heels on toddlers in the playground - they couldn't run/play properly. There are STILL skirts for girls as part of the school uniform - on a daily basis I unintentinally see girls' undies, because some little girl next to me is climbing up a wall/tree! Just makes me cringe to think of the attraction this may have for pedophilies...

RE supermarkets: They ARE reinforcing it: For a couple of years now, Asda has been selling an item, as part of its school range, which they have called "boyfriend cardigan" - what. were. they. thinking.

Girls' clothes are SEXUALISED, accentuating (non exsistent) breasts, hips, bums...

And it is NOT as easy as simply being matter of personal choice: Because childrens' clothes are so clearly divided into girls and boys, children get bullied for wearing the "wrong" clothes. It is not that simple to just "freely" chose something which is marketed towards the other gender... It has social implications!

YANBU, OP. And historically, clothing for babies and toddlers was pretty unisex.

I'm irritated when I look for clothes for ds and EVERYTHING is either covered in cars or dinosaurs. How boring. I think it is lazy, lacks any spark of creativity and assumes or even pushes boys down one route. I don't know if I'd go so far as to say it is sexist - but reading my post back, maybe it is. I'd rather some more creativity than a specifically gender neutral approach.

Had to get dinner and stuff...interesting to see I have both had people accuse me of insincerity and agree with me wholeheartedly....I guess thats what makes mumsnet interesting.

Well I'm off to read the asa website to see if anything is cooking on that front, so thanks for all your comments!

YANBU. Can't believe you're copping such vitriolic flak, either, OP.

Has anyone mentioned Cordelia Fine's book Delusions of Gender?

I've seen heels on toddlers in the playground - they couldn't run/play properly. There are STILL skirts for girls as part of the school uniform

Whose fault is that? The parents. All DCs need their feet measured and shoes for healthy feet as well as running around.

You should have seen the fuss on here last week when it was suggested that girls had to wear trousers for school! (a very sensible suggestion)

You don't have to buy it. I think that it is boys who are hugely disadvantaged in clothes-having had 3. The girls can have both ranges and the boys are stuck with a very limited, boring, choice.

A boyfriend cardigan is just a style of cardigan. The name comes from women wearing a style which is boyish or more unisex and often a looser fit.

You also get boyfriend jeans, jacket and blaziers.

There is nothing sexual in the name or sexual about the clothing. Infact anyone jumping up and down wanting non gender clothing should love them as they are made for women/girls but based on male styles.

damned italians with their good food and sunshine. Feck em. They dont get any of our baby clothes

But..but... I get bitten by mosquitoes all summer, fogged to the point of fearful driving all autumn and frozen solid all winter, and am sick of pasta...so send Italy your department store kids clothes and a branch of iceland near my house as compensation!

The ones WITHOUT skulls all over them.

Am sick to death of the skull thing.