Entries from March 2008 ↓
March 17th, 2008 — Body Image & Self Esteem, Girl Culture, Mother-Daughter Emotional Osmosis, Sexualization of Girls
Are there shorts under your dress?
Why do I always have to wear shorts?
Because, it’s no fun to sit like a lady.
“Sitting like a lady” sucks. It pretty much rules out swinging, running, climbing trees, jumping on trampolines, somersaults, cart wheels, and sitting Indian-style during circle time at school.
If you let your daughter wear a dress or skirt without shorts and still participate in all these activities – just think of all the people who have seen her panties.
Ainsley often skirts the shorts by wearing pants. Which is way funky cool.
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March 14th, 2008 — Family Life, Other stuff
by Tracee Sioux
Mom! Look at this picture, it’s hideous!
What’s the onomatopoeia for cackling at irony? I responded with that.
Stop laughing!
I’m sorry. I had no idea it was picture day. I wouldn’t have made you wear it, if I’d known. Heeheeeh HAAahhaaaHAahaha!
Stop laughing!
One of the greatest joys of mothering Ainsley has been to see what she’s going to wear.
Her translation of fashion is always ground-breaking and clever. Amusing even at it’s worst. She’ll wear an entire package of headbands at once and I’ll think, Man, I bet designers wish they had that kind of creativity because that looks fantastic. She often wears pants under skirts and it’s pretty funky cool.
I have only 3 rules
But this day, she couldn’t decide. I got fed up with her I have nothing to wear mantra and went into her closet and grabbed the first thing that went with the new pants my mother bought her.
I said something like, Who cares? It’s one day. Wear it!
It’s ugly.
I don’t care. You’re wearing it.
Considering how nonrestrictive I’ve been about her clothing choices I thought she should get over it pretty easily.
Her dilemma wasn’t really her fault either. She had sprouted up a few inches, making all her shirts too short and her pants were kind of low-riders. She couldn’t find anything to wear because she was trying to obey the modest rule.
One of the few times I pull the, “I don’t care you’re wearing it” mommy card and of course, it’s picture day. Figures.
Heeheeeh HAAahhaaaHAahaha!
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March 14th, 2008 — Other stuff
March 13th, 2008 — Media, Marketing and Advertising, Sexualization of Girls
Who doesn’t need a corporate sponsor for their project?
Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH does, of course.
According to Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood, they plan to rename their ER The Abercrombie & Fitch Emergency Department and Trauma Center in exchange for a $10 million donation.
The CCFC has made this statement in a letter to the hospital asking them to keep the money and refuse to advertise.
Research links sexualization and objectification with some of the most pressing and common health problems for girls including depression and poor sexual health. It is also distressing that a children’s hospital would promote a company that features impossibly thin and idealized body types in its advertising when 10 million girls and young women in the United States are struggling with an eating disorder.
We understand that it is common for public health institutions to seek gifts from the business community. We are not asking that the hospital return the money. But gifts that include a quid pro quo like naming rights cross the line from philanthropy to advertising. Given that this company has built its brand by sexualizing and objectifying children, no public health institution should be advertising Abercrombie & Fitch.
I had to agree I looked at some of Abercrombie & Fitches’ advertising, Thongs (pictured) for 10-year-olds that say “eye candy.” Shirts with slogans like “Who needs brains when you have these?” (pink shirt pictured) and “Do I make you look fat?” Ads touting group sex to sell clothing to teens and preteens. When it comes to sexualizing children, Abercrombie & Fitch is among the worst corporate offenders.
Send a letter telling the hospital you think it’s a bad idea to let our kids associate Abercrombie and Fitch with their health and well-being. You can do it quick as night at this link.
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March 12th, 2008 — Other stuff
Send “this letter to your Representatives encouraging the Senate and House of Representatives to add $7.1 billion for education, training and social services that will empower girls (and boys) to the 2009 Federal Budget.
“A budget resolution is a statement of a nation’s priorities. To meet the demands of the 21st century workforce, I believe it is crucial that the federal government maintain its commitment to funding quality education programs at all levels.
The additional $7.1 billion for education, training, and social services provided for in the proposed budget resolution will allow Congress to improve No Child Left Behind programs, fund the Higher Education Act, and improve U.S. global competitiveness. These and other vital education programs are critical to America’s role and position in the world.
While the president’s budget would eliminate dozens of education programs and create new voucher programs, I believe these are the wrong priorities for our nation. Now is the time to invest in education and training programs that prepare students for a competitive 21st century economy.”
American Association of University Women makes it simple – just follow this link and send the letter and take action to empower your daughter. It takes two minutes to be an activist for education.
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