Ever since learning that my youngest child would be female I’ve been buying her clothes. A lot of clothes. BabyGap and Gymboree have benefited from my credit cards plenty in the last two years as has Target. I bought my stroller, crib, changing table, Bumbo seat, and a ton of toys and clothes at Target. For the most part I very much enjoy Target, but they are the one retailer that pisses me off with their gender stereotyping regarding children’s clothing. I’ve ranted about this, and tried to explain it, but today I took photos that illustrate my anger.
Let me first say that I am not opposed to ‘girly’ clothes. My daughter loves to wear dresses and she has a lot of pink garb. I’m not attempting to create a gender-neutral human. But take a look at these shirts meant for girls:
Contrast this passive, pretty, “girly” messaging with what’s offered in the boys section:
You see what I mean? Boys are cool, rock -n- roll, astronauts and action heroes! And girls shop and bake cake. Every one of these shirts could also be offered in girl colors. Sure, girls can wear orange and black and green…why not? But why make parents choose between dressing their daughter like a cool boy or a future concubine?
I bought my daughter the “Future Astronaut” shirt. And a Minnie Mouse tracksuit.
Trixieland 
I saw that cool dude shirt and we wondered if we could get one of those in Ryan’s size – You know, just because it’s funny and has a tiger on it.
Also, this reminds me why I am glad I have a son. Most of the girl’s clothes drive me insane.
Were they all out of “Math is hard, let’s go shopping!!!”?
And agreed!
Yes and the “I’m pretty, buy me stuff” shirts were all sold out. The teen section had plenty of “I wanna be on a reality show cuz I’m a whore!” shirts though.
What, did you miss J C Penny’s recent “Too Pretty For Homework” T shirt? Or how about Forever 21’s “Allergic to Algebra”? (Penny’s pulled theirs after customers complained. I don’t know what happened with the other.)
My daughter won the city wide math competition in 6th grade. But she still thinks math is “dumb.” Our society doesn’t do girls or women any favors. Watch any show on TV – it’s more important to be pretty and popular than it is to be smart. Look at the female characters in games. Big boobs are more important than big brains. We have great role models for our young girls like Miley Cyrus, Kei$ha, and a host of former Mousekateers whose lives now play out like soap operas.
Sally Ride would be proud that your daughter is going to be an astronaut!
I hope you write to Target and give them hell!
Nope didn’t miss those at all. But this isn’t a one-off, this is all day, every day at Target. Like I said, it’s been bugging me for a couple of years. 🙂
But it’s a small annoyance in relation to the whorification of American girls. I blame reality TV. Get drunk, act like a skank and you can get your own show! And NOTHING in our country is valued more than ‘fame.’
Regarding female game characters, I have to disagree with you. Those chicks fend for themselves, fight like hell, figure out puzzles and kick some serious ass. You don’t get past the final boss by giving blowjobs or showing your tits. 😉
Sadly, it’s not just reality TV that’s contributing to the whorification of American girls, it’s a little bit of everything on TV/Radio and in magazines. The images young girls see in those magazines and on TV all suggest that you have to skank out to be worth anything today. I’ve known several parents that buy clothes for their girls in the boys department ’cause wearing thongs masquerading as shorts is just unacceptable. Hopefully this skank pendulum will swing the other way so girls can at least find decent clothes in the store.
You’re right, of course. I just place the majority of blame with them because I despise them so much.
lets start our own T-shirts for real girls company >8)
Yeah, baby!!
Trixie’s T’s!
Another job opportunity for you!
We have a company here that puts out “Alaska Girls Kick Ass” t-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. I love the message 🙂
I’m glad you posted this. I just found the “future astronaut” shirt in the boys’ section at my local Target and I was disgusted. Not a career among the girls’ section other than “future princess.” I’m letting Target know how I feel, and anyone else who I can think of.
I just bought the ‘Future Astronaut’ shirt because my almost 5yo GIRL was BEGGING me for it!!! I was kind of bummed it wasn’t in the girls section either, but I agree the boys shirts are cooler and frequently buy them for my girls anyways.