Pink Stinks

[randomama]

Reading about feminist books for 5 year olds in today's Guardian, it mentioned this "Pink Stinks" campaign. Which protests against the pinkification (OK, I made that word up) of girlhood.

I don't have any girls (yet) but as a girl, I LOVED pink, although my mum didn't indulge it (she was Clothkits all the way). I wanted to be Barbie or a Princess but have ended up writing a feminist PhD thesis. So in my experience a love of pink and princesses and a lifelong commitment to feminism have not been incompatible.

BUT my question is what do feminist or non feminist mothers of girls or indeed what do any of you think about the pinkification of girlhood and/or the campaign by Pink Stinks to stop it?

Cheers

Maybe. I think you come across as short/grumpy/strong when there is no need.

I think, and it is sad, that people are massively shaped by marketing and the consumer led society. I take the proof of this to be the zillions spent on packaging and markteting.

So people are who they are, and often that is decided [for a huge amount of the population] by the market forces of the day.

It's just as simpering and ridiculous to cast out pink and femininity as it is to indulge. Surely a balance is good and following your child's desires is best, as long as they're not spoon fed endless commercial TV crap you may end up without branded plastic everywhere.

They don't have to be 60+. But the role models who have been mentioned appear to be having their looks criticised here largely because they don't look like women half their age, so in the interests of a level playing field I'd like some examples of "really beautiful" women in the same age bracket.

Was just researching local rainbows group for dd to join, saw this - girl guides are (in my estimation anyway) an enlightened pro feminist sort or organisation, clearly little girls can be independent free thinking individuals and be pretty pink princesses too if they want.

Oh I see what you mean Santa.

You know I think having had a look at some of those photos that my 'butch' comment about Susan Sarandon was a little unjustified . For her age, I agree she looks wonderful, and of course her many life achievements make her a marvellous role model.

But I would also have liked to see some younger (and yes, beautiful) actresses on the list to, to give a little balance, and to show it is possible to be young, pretty and totally brilliant.

My son and I are re-claiming pink as a colour boys can wear.

its fast becoming a new favourite colour ( currently purple, before that yellow). He is fond of teaming raspberry pink trews with a black or brown top, black shoes, green coat and florescent pink hat & gloves.

Good luck with that, UniS - let us know how long it lasts!

been a couple of month so far. He is 3 and 3/4 and has always liked bright colours and stripes and patterns clashing if possible.