To think Sainsburys are stereotyping?

[rachrach2]

I went to look for some running clothes today on Sainsburys' website for my daughter - in the boys' drop down menu it has 'sports and active' - the girls' equivalent is 'ballet and dance'. Sainsburys response is that they've monitored customer feedback and find this best helps the customer find what they want.

AIBU to think this is so stereotypical and sexist? They do sell some clothing suitable for running but even then a lot of it is described as dance attire even though it's suitable for a lot more than just dancing in.

I meant different catogiries for girls and boys.

Stereotyping makes money for the business. You wont find many businesses that put principle over profit. Dancewear is a huge market.

Its a pain trying to find black leggings for my son to wear for his ballet class

When I took DS2 to buy walking boots, he chose some plain brown boots. When we asked to try a pair in his size, we were told that they were ladies' boots.

I decided not to buy them there because of the sexist way in which they are marketed but yes, I would know where to look next time!

I buy a lot online for my children and never seen such blatant sexism or felt the need to feedback to the store before.

"Its a pain trying to find black leggings for my son to wear for his ballet class"

Why?

Don't most children's clothing departments sell black leggings?

Or, if they have to be of a specific ballet type, don't most children's dance wear stockists sell black leggings?

Needmorehands - I can imagine, my daughter's black leggings have even got pink lining!

The boots are ridiculous. My running shoes are men's as apparently my feet are too big for the women's (7 in every other shoe, 9 in ASICS) though they are the same apart from the colour.

If I was looking for a girls t shirt and shorts I wouldn’t click on ballet and dance I’d have go for t shirts and trousers sections. What % of girls do dance and ballet anyway? Unless ballet and dance is just leotards

Is this really that much of an issue

Yes. Yes it really is. It’s these little things that add up over the years.
These things that tell us how boys and girls should act. Girls, you should be doing something artistic and fluffy. Boys, you should be running around and getting shit done.

Drip feed this shit for years and you end up with women who feel they aren’t worth as much as the men. They don’t complain, they don’t ask for pay rises.

YANBU.

needsmore hands when my son did ballet I just ordered his stuff online for the RAD. www.radenterprises.co.uk/rad-examination-wear/male-exam-wear/grade-6-8?zenid=ith0q00dv27egqar8hv04p9612
Thread derail, sorry

I didn't look under tops and trousers as I was looking for technical running tops and running leggings. I know they do them so I was trying to order the correct sizes into store. I didn't in the end as their site irritated me!

Please don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like you've got a lot of time on your hands.

I have less time than I would have if Sainsburys site wasn't sexist!

As I said above, it's the first time I've felt strongly enough to email a company about anything like this but maybe it won't be the last. I genuinely would like other opinions about their site.

Please don't take this the wrong way

Given I read your comment as snarky as fuck, I'd love to know the right way. How you meant that to sound.

My daughter loves all sorts of toys and clothes, just wait till she can read and it starts to creep in. The let toys be toys campaign is brilliant, wonder if there's a clothing alternative?

My daughter's coat is from the boys section. Plain navy, covers her bum, hard-wearing and no fur hood bollocks. Why people can't see that only putting pink sparkley stuff designed for fashion not comfort in the girls section leads young girls to view themselves as decorative is beyond me.

sainsburys is going down.

Sainsbury’s are currently playing dirty to force lots of women on low wages, who have been unfairly paid much less than male employees, to drop their group action.

They are sexist and I’m boycotting them and Asda (who are doing the same).

I notice too that the boys have a sale/deal on but the girls don't!

Girls stuff is often more expensive too eg three pairs of socks for the same price as five pairs of boys socks cos the girls need frilly bits which may add to the cost. Grrr
( I buy the boy ones, but they're socks ffs!!)
I am totally with you on this op

I hope they have blue and pink tutus.

and, only just noticed, why no tights for the boys? Toxic masculinity at its worst!

I do not understand how people can’t see the issue with this. YANBU OP. Drives me mad!

YANBU. Tired of this insidious sexism.

Tangentially, why does every single little girl have to have extra-long hair and do ballet now? I’m sure this was not the case when h was young. There was variety.

How ridiculous. Get yourself to decathlon when buying sporty stuff.

I also can't believe someone put you have too much time on your hands. This is a present and relevant subject! It's also ironic they took the time to write that comment.

Yes I agree op, this is ridiculous! It actually would put me off buying from them.

I was all set to come in here and tell you YWBU, shops can't please everyone etc, etc. But you're absolutely not BU here, Sainsbury's have really shown themselves up. I have 2 boys, if they wanted to do ballet I would expect to be able to buy ballet attire from a website without it being denoted as a 'girl' activity. And if I had girls I would certainly expect to be able to buy 'active' clothing for them without shopping in the boys section! Unless of course the girls are too busy sitting quietly at home whilst wearing their ballet attire to be 'active'.

Sort it out Sainsbury's, it's so disappointing.