Sexist Baby Clothes?

        
           This article addressed the seemingly stupid idea of sexist sayings on infant clothing. Baby clothes with sayings like "pretty like mom" or "smart like dad" seem to be stirring up quite the controversy. That clothing line is just one of many that seems to stereotype girls into the princess and girly-girl type, while portraying little boys as geniuses or MVP's. I honestly think its one of the silliest things I've ever heard! Yes, some of the cute little sayings on infant clothes aren't necessarily true but I don't think they should be taken completely seriously. Some little baby girl could wear a shirt that says "pretty like mommy" and grow up to be the president of the US and look nothing like her mother. Or a boy could wear a little "Daddy's little genius" shirt as a baby and grow up and fail classes in high school or college. They are cute and shouldn't be taken as seriously as some of these moms are taking them, however little girls shouldn't be stereotyped into pretty but ditsy "sweetie pies".
           The author seems to agree with the ridiculousness at first but then she brings a deeper point to the surface. Beyond just the clothing they wear as baby's, she feels that girls shouldn't feel like they are limited to either pretty princess or math geek; they should be able to be a pretty girl who is good at math and grows up successful. I agree. The article is pretty straightforward and addresses the issue from all angles. She adds some humor(but it's so true) when she  gives examples of sayings for boys ("daddy's genius" "MVP" "perfect little man" "mr. personality etc) versus girls ("pretty like mom" "too pretty for homework" "daddy's angel" "sweetie pie" "sweeter than sugar" "cupcake fairy" etc). She writes " Dream big, baby girls! Boys may be on a course for greatness, but you can be a dessert!" (Williams 6). I thought it was funny- because it's true. She also reaches out to her audience at the end of the article when she writes " want my daughters – and yours – to grow up in a world in which they can brag of their math prowess or their rascally natures on their own shirts. Not shirts pinched from the boy’s collection, but their own. They can rock them with their tutus and their glitter headbands if they so desire; they can still be pretty. But they need to know that just because you’re a girl, you’re not limited to being anybody’s fairy, princess or fluffy little cupcake." (Williams 9). I think that little paragraph would really appeal to mothers that have daughters. I thought the article was interesting and the author did a good job of trying to explain that "our XX chromosomes do not instill any natural aspirations to be Tinkerbell or to wear tiaras." (Williams 8).

http://www.salon.com/2011/11/21/the_war_over_sexist_onesies/singleton/