Strap in for a thread about the hugely sexist messaging on children's clothing at @Primark. The store I popped into was in Chester but of course it's a nationwide chain.
Let's begin with the messages girls are being hammered with. https://t.co/nH4muQvFds
Females must Keep on Smiling. https://t.co/oJPw4rIgWj
They are urged to BE GOOD and DO GOOD. https://t.co/KDAmLtqjgS
To Love. https://t.co/RqbPEwINrW
To be full of HAPPINESS. https://t.co/bitGHHrTOD
GRATEFUL. https://t.co/3PMNtZTHxW
Kind and Happy. https://t.co/kevOuwTvs5
To Dance on the rainbow (?) https://t.co/sfTWZL2UX5
To be an OPTIMIST. https://t.co/JGExRZkvcX
To be POSITIVE. https://t.co/3aBRXzwZX2
To Grow positive thoughts. https://t.co/4NkGXdbatj
To be GRATEFUL (again). https://t.co/MoESKMJVEA
To be GRATEFUL, HUMBLE and OPTIMISTIC. https://t.co/XR97gxpLlj
To be full of joy. https://t.co/oQEgeK1wpm
To know that KINDNESS ALWAYS WINS. https://t.co/LN3PLzagcm
To NEVER STOP BEING MAGICAL. https://t.co/Af5SmqBI5R
To be POSITIVE (again!!). https://t.co/RjD418DlPu
To LOVE LOVE. https://t.co/fiEl4BTn3k
To be full of KINDNESS. https://t.co/sotjk1xAMX
To be "always perfect". https://t.co/QXKXgafwDe
To give off only GOOD VIBES. https://t.co/wXkJlxyYTq
To exude Peace and Love. https://t.co/eIL2nAtWS1
Again to BE KIND. https://t.co/7u2nhUugBI
And again. https://t.co/GCrTwjYUOE
To spread MORE JOY. https://t.co/KgvFPtmTQ8
And to CHOOSE HAPPY.
This was all in just three stands. I spent 5 minutes looking. https://t.co/HF7UOzWvtn
I'll add what I found in the boys' section after tea. But needless to say there was *nothing* about the need to be loving, kind, grateful, joyful, perfect or positive. Absolutely nothing.
The message to little girls is BE COMPLIANT AND PASSIVE. Always think of others. Put on a pleasant, smiling face for that is your job in the world.
Right, let's look at what messages @Primark are pushing at little boys, in contrast. https://t.co/odd189ySv6
Adventure awaits! https://t.co/Nxp30nSZnc
CHANGE THE GAME. REWRITE THE RULES. GO FOR IT. BORN TO WIN. https://t.co/NXsfoy9Mgb
TOTAL ICON. https://t.co/1X1lLaekaG
EXPLORE. NOTHING HOLDING YOU BACK. https://t.co/EiCYNRNgKU
POWER. https://t.co/TJKKv5nAwX
MORE POWER! https://t.co/DJDQDVrFaT
YOU ARE LIMITLESS. https://t.co/JZ5bVtXfIA
CHAMPION. https://t.co/edoEpLgSDH
You are the FUTURE. https://t.co/xn14Zvh9z8
ICON (again). https://t.co/xRZ7clo4om
AUTHENTIC LEGACY. https://t.co/Nlj1u2reWN
MAKE THE RULES. https://t.co/Pg0pzHtUqd
AWESOME ADVENTURES. https://t.co/FE1o9ZNQsD
Have a WORLDWIDE VISION. https://t.co/tG7qUs615G
AWESOME. https://t.co/mqWtQ3aiX0
GO FIND IT. https://t.co/uA3qfxAJiX
Can anyone spot a difference in tone here? A difference in narrative? Boys are awesome in themselves and don't need to consider anyone else. Boys are about *doing* and girls are about *feeling*. Boys take what they want; girls consider others.
It's INCREDIBLY SEXIST and outdated and unhelpful to both boys and girls.
Stop telling girls their place is to serve others! Stop telling boys they should have nothing to do with kindness and love!
What are you, a throwback to the 1950s??
If you're interested in this topic, please check out @letclothesbe, @LetToysBeToys and @LiftingLimitsUK.
More of my threads here. https://t.co/YI0dyJHtRC