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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

33 replies

Bumblebzz · 04/03/2018 23:08

Surprised and disappointed to see gender stereotypes (pink, dresses and shiny shoes) so blatantly reinforced in this book. I just bought it for my daughter as I am trying to do just the opposite and challenge those very stereotypes...

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
OP posts:
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/03/2018 23:11

It's not a perfect book, but I figure that it is a decent stab in the right direction.

It did prompt a good convo with DD about trans things in general and how being a girl wasn't just about wearing a dress and wearing pink.

GinAndSonic · 04/03/2018 23:13

I was disappointed in that one too.

LangCleg · 04/03/2018 23:13

These are both gorgeous books with none of this nonsense:

Women in Science: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1526360519?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Women in Sport: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1526360926?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Original poster
Bumblebzz · 04/03/2018 23:14

Thanks LangCleg I’ll look at those

OP posts:
UnCafecito · 04/03/2018 23:15

Yes that one lets it down. The rest is really good though, and the different illustrations are lovely.

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/03/2018 23:19

We have the Women In... books as well. I think that if anything it's a good way to teach kids how to be critical of what they read and not just accept things at face value.

I was also a bit Hmm at the inclusion of Thatcher.

soapboxqueen · 04/03/2018 23:22

I glued those 2 pages together

Cunstancemarkiewicz · 04/03/2018 23:26

I ripped the page out and told my daughter it was a lie and nonsense. I was furious as loads of girls got it for Christmas. They can fuck right off.Angry

Original poster
Bumblebzz · 04/03/2018 23:29

@soapboxqueen :)

I like the idea of using it to have a conversation about stereotypes actually, as someone else said upthread, so I have pulled back from my initial impulse to rip it out!

I don’t quite “get” why it’s included. Very odd considering the other stories are showcasing women who go against gender stereotypes.

OP posts:
Boxesandbuttons · 04/03/2018 23:31

Thatcher was Britain's first woman prime minister - why not include her?!?

Original poster
Bumblebzz · 04/03/2018 23:32

@Cunstancemarkiewicz
Cross posted but good to know I’m not alone. It’s such a popular book and yet no one had commented on this particular piece to me.

OP posts:
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/03/2018 23:36

Boxes, I don't know if it's the same down South but she's about as popular as Hitler in Scotland.

Plus 'Right to Buy' although popular at the time has potentially fucked up the housing industry in the UK for decades to come.

I don't know if simply being the first female to do something is enough of a success for me. I think she actually set back equality of the sexes in Politics due to being such a hated figure.

Flywheel · 04/03/2018 23:39

My dd mentioned something about transgender, which I didn't think was on her radar. I asked where she heard about it and she confirmed it was from the book I got her for Christmas. She seemed a bit baffled herself though. Not that she questioned the ideology. She was very accepting. She just didn't understand why this kid made it into the book. Neither did I, but it did lead to an interesting discussion about gender stereotypes.

soapboxqueen · 04/03/2018 23:53

bumble my son is only 8 and autistic so a conversation about it is difficult. So far he's asked me if I'm trans because I had hairy legs. My answer included the words 'no' and 'twaddle' I believe.

BarrackerBarmer · 05/03/2018 00:04

soapboxqueen
"I glued those 2 pages together"

I love that.
With glitter glue, I hope.

soapboxqueen · 05/03/2018 00:09

Barracker No Chance. Locktite super glue.

widdlytinks · 05/03/2018 00:17

Oh, that's Coy Mathis - there's a Netflix programme about him - turned trans at 6 because he liked pink, and parents sued the school/state(?) for the right to use the girl's' toilets (even though there were three others he could have used).

A quick google finds lots of theories about the mother having Münchausens by proxy; conflicting versions of events which led to another child being disabled; claims she took fertility drugs she bought from the internet; crowdfunders for a car...

It's quite interesting viewing, but I wasn't at all convinced Coy really thought he was a girl.

And yes, glue the pages together!

MrsOvarall · 05/03/2018 07:18

We glued those pages together too. I wouldn't have bought the book if I'd known

RhinestoneCowgirl · 05/03/2018 07:22

I have held off buying Rebel Girls for DD because of that page. It would make her livid.

We have the 50 women in science one, and bought a copy for her teacher.

NewSense · 05/03/2018 07:29

Hmmmm... My toddler was just given this book. Haven't had a look through yet, but yikes! Pink and sparkles? Must defo be a girl then...

How disappointing.

NewSense · 05/03/2018 07:31

(my toddler is not a genius. I'm shelving it for a couple of years! Was given it as I'm "known for these things"... Confused )

Latenightreader · 05/03/2018 07:39

I love the book generally (although it has issues) but my main complaint is that it should be Goodnight Stories of Rebel Girls to encourage boys to read it too. I know it's probably just a small thing, but it winds me up!

SilkyDrawers · 05/03/2018 08:17

What shits me is the victim mentality of nearly every story, this idea that every woman who achieved anything did it despite constant oppression from every quarter.

Maybe it’s just because DD is still very young (4), and it will seem less jarring when she’s a bit older and can understand the context of these stories a bit more. But for now I’ve hidden the book. Note to self to glue a few of the pages together Grin

KittyPerry77 · 05/03/2018 09:35

I think the oppression needs to be mentioned SilkyDrawers as children aren't stupid and are aware that most achievements throughout history are male achievements. If there's no oppression then it must just be that boys are better than girls.

ArcheryAnnie · 05/03/2018 09:49

I'm totally fucked off with that book because of this as well. It's exactly the sort of book I'd buy for various kids in my circles, but I can't bear to.

The second volume is coming out soon. Can't wait to see who's been included in that one...

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