Hi guys! I'm not sure if you follow me on Twitter last night, but I kind of broke down in a mini rant because an article I read stirred up old feelings I have about gender stereotyping.
Now, growing up I was a shy nerd/tomboy. I kept my head in the books and my hair in an afro. I also played with dolls, play makeup and fake food. Would I have made the choice to lay with these toys if left or my own devices? Probably so. Commercials only ever showed little girls playing dress up and playing with babies and learning to play house. Obviously that's what little girls do.
But as I've gotten older and figured out how marketing works and how certain ideals are embedded in the parents minds, who then embed those same thoughts in their children's minds, I'm mad. Yes mad. It's an emotion and I felt it and still do.
Now, growing up I was a shy nerd/tomboy. I kept my head in the books and my hair in an afro. I also played with dolls, play makeup and fake food. Would I have made the choice to lay with these toys if left or my own devices? Probably so. Commercials only ever showed little girls playing dress up and playing with babies and learning to play house. Obviously that's what little girls do.
But as I've gotten older and figured out how marketing works and how certain ideals are embedded in the parents minds, who then embed those same thoughts in their children's minds, I'm mad. Yes mad. It's an emotion and I felt it and still do.
It's frustrating that boys are taught that it's all power tools and fighting and girls are taught how to keep house and raise the baby. Now don't get me wrong, there's two other sides to this story. There are girls who DO love pink sparkly things and boys who just love to wrestle! But then there's boys how want to try their hand at cooking and girls who want to learn how to build a bench (I know that was random).
I just wish that -
A: Toy companies would stop labeling 'girl' toys pink/yellow/sparkly and 'boy' toys blue/green/black.
B: Toy stores/aisles would stop separating them like "Little girls you go down this aisle and little boys you go down that aisle."
C: Parents would encourage and support their children when they decide to 'play outside of the box'.
I know I can't expect nay substantial change in the near future, especially when those thoughts and ideas are so ingrained into our subconscious from our moment of birth. It's only one of a good many that we need to break free of.
And again I must stress that if your a girl/woman who loves to look after her home and excels in the kitchen, I applaud you for finding a way of life you enjoy! I'm first to say that one of my go-to stress relievers are cleaning my house and baking up some deliciousness. And men? You like action, sports and building something with you own bare hands? Me too! And I'm happy you have/do something that makes YOU happy.
Do you, be you, love you.
Xoxo, Danie
I just wish that -
A: Toy companies would stop labeling 'girl' toys pink/yellow/sparkly and 'boy' toys blue/green/black.
B: Toy stores/aisles would stop separating them like "Little girls you go down this aisle and little boys you go down that aisle."
C: Parents would encourage and support their children when they decide to 'play outside of the box'.
I know I can't expect nay substantial change in the near future, especially when those thoughts and ideas are so ingrained into our subconscious from our moment of birth. It's only one of a good many that we need to break free of.
And again I must stress that if your a girl/woman who loves to look after her home and excels in the kitchen, I applaud you for finding a way of life you enjoy! I'm first to say that one of my go-to stress relievers are cleaning my house and baking up some deliciousness. And men? You like action, sports and building something with you own bare hands? Me too! And I'm happy you have/do something that makes YOU happy.
Do you, be you, love you.
Xoxo, Danie
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