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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed with this sexist reading advice sent home from school?

294 replies

morningpaper · 02/12/2008 17:05

"Until the day your daughter expresses an interest in rocket science or your son gets into showjumping, you won?t go far wrong if you try them out with these kinds of books?

Boys...

  • Enjoy books about their interests - especially dinosaur ones!
  • Like books that are a bit scary, funny or have silly jokes.
  • Often have a shorter attention span, so books you can dip in and out of may work better for them. Try comic strip books and non fiction.
  • Prefer big, bold, colourful illustrations or things that can be moved or touched.
  • Like reading to have a purpose, for example books that show you how to make things or tell you about things.

Girls...

  • Enjoy series of books about the same characters.
  • Like to listen to talking books and watch DVDs of favourite books.
  • Enjoy a bit of fantasy, magic and make believe ? princesses, castles and so on.
  • Like sparkle and glitter on the pages.
  • Enjoy books that have props with them ? dolls, soft toys, dressing-up clothes."
OP posts:
Miyazaki · 02/12/2008 17:15

Sent home from school, yes, but not written by the school? Is that right mp?

Original poster
morningpaper · 02/12/2008 17:17

yes it is sent home by the school

WHY would they think it is okay to distribute?

I'm so baffled and DEPRESSED

OP posts:
AlanPartridgeInAPearTree · 02/12/2008 17:17

that is bloody awful!

I bet there are lots of heads out there who actually disapprove but

a) want to encourage the idea of buying books and reading vs TV and computer games all day long - and you gotta admit the prices are good in these type of catalogues

b) want/need the freebies/commission the school get

and then there are the other heads who have not read it and don't know, shall we all tell them??

LadyMuck · 02/12/2008 17:18

To be honest this sounds fairly reasonable for the age that it would be aimed at (early readers just starting to read independently).

It's a guide in case your child isn't showing interest, not some definitive list of "boys should only read".

Generally I'm quite happy with the suggested reading list comes home as it nudges me towards something that I wouldn't have thought of suggesting.

NotanOtter · 02/12/2008 17:18

threadworm how lovely to hear you say that!

NotanOtter · 02/12/2008 17:18

I agree MP it does leave one aghast!

Original poster
morningpaper · 02/12/2008 17:21

will you all complain to Leapfrog with me?

OP posts:
mysterymoniker · 02/12/2008 17:21

grrrrrrrrrrrr

Original poster
morningpaper · 02/12/2008 17:22

Until the day your daughter expresses an interest in rocket science

Until the day your daughter expresses an interest in rocket science

Until the day your daughter expresses an interest in rocket science

Until the day your daughter expresses an interest in rocket science

Until the day your daughter expresses an interest in rocket science

Until the day your daughter expresses an interest in rocket science

It makes me ACTUALLY lose the will to live

OP posts:
NotanOtter · 02/12/2008 17:25

god me too but sadly the more i see it the more the rage rises within me...

please do complain and let me stand at your right hand

sorry had to put an angry face as mumsnet haven't drawn a [seething] one

StewieGriffinsMom · 02/12/2008 17:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mysterymoniker · 02/12/2008 17:26

I think anger is more productive than sadness in this case

shall we flood them with outraged letters of complaint?

AlanPartridgeInAPearTree · 02/12/2008 17:26

I will def email leapfrog tomorrow morningpaper but am off to sort the DC's tea now

I still think lots of heads/teachers will be unaware of this "advice", it is certainly NOT what they would preach themselves, rather ANY book is good. DD 2 loves thomas the tank engine

googgly · 02/12/2008 17:27

Surely just about all children like fantasy, magic, make believe and silly jokes. I expect that girls prefer books where the main characters are girls and vice versa. The rest is rubbish.

When I was little I definitely didn't wear pink all the time and have zillions of barbies and princess things, though my brother loved model planes and i didn't (I used to make model birds out of plaster of paris instead!). Girls and boys obviously tend towards different things and the extreme stereotyping is just marketing.

Anyway, anyone who cares enough to even bother reading the leaflets has probably noticed what kind of thing their child has picked out at the library already.

mysterymoniker · 02/12/2008 17:27

PS I will complain but need details (obviously am far too busy/tired/apathetic to find them myself)

PortlySackSantaInAdvent · 02/12/2008 17:28

What a load of fat fat bollocks!!!

mrsruffallo · 02/12/2008 17:28

You silly girl, getting yourself in a tizz over this

hollyivypoppy34 · 02/12/2008 17:29

happy to complain...

NotanOtter · 02/12/2008 17:29

what bloke person writes this sort of thing?

again backs up my argument that I saw kate Nash reiterating on This Week the other week

anyone who thinks that the battles for feminism are 'all won' has got a lot to learn

mysterymoniker · 02/12/2008 17:31

since when has showjumping been a female preserve anyway?

dinny · 02/12/2008 17:33

we got that pamphlet, MP

completely agree

ComeWhineWithMe · 02/12/2008 17:35

We had this last week and I was a bit .

MY dd likes Dr who and pirates ,my other dd likes princesses and glitter .

Every child is an individual not just defined by their gender.

Original poster
morningpaper · 02/12/2008 17:36

email address is [email protected]

OP posts:
hollyivypoppy34 · 02/12/2008 17:40

quite mysterymoniker - according to FEI only 2 of the top 9 in riders cup are women - top place is bloke

Original poster
morningpaper · 02/12/2008 17:41

I have complained:

"To whom it may concern:

I have today received your leaflet via my school, which contains the following advice for parents, which also appears on your website:

"Until the day your daughter expresses an interest in rocket science etc from below"

I am quite shocked that in 2008 you are advising parents to teach their boys about science and teach their girls about princesses and glitter. This is outdated and sexist clap-trap and I find it profoundly depressing that you think it is acceptable.

I would be grateful to hear why you think this sort of crude gender stereotyping is acceptable and what advice you took in preparing this leaflet.

Yours sincerely etc"

OP posts: