As a woman I'm outraged and as an educator I'm saddened. We all know that the media does a number on a young woman's self-esteem but to slam her abilities through fashion - I can't get with it. I'm sure you heard about this last week but many groups have taken actioin against the two shirts offered by both JcPenney and Forever 21 , both brands very popular with young girls and teens especially during the current back to school season.
Both brands have pulled the shirts from their inventory and make statements of apology but that's just a response to the outcry - what would possess anyone to make and then market a shirt like this in the 1st place? Some may say it's just a shirt, but it sets us back more than anyone can imagine. My hope is that all of my students, regardless of gender maintain their intellectual curiosity and vigor even when a task seems difficult and not fall into the ill percieved notions that their gender insinuates to the ignorant mainstream.
Read more about it all here.
What are your thoughts on this?
~Luvin' My Curves
4 comments:
As a Mom of two regular sized girls whose hearts breakk when they can't fit into the Forever 21 clothes to begin with
AND as an educator that sees too many girls "dumb down" to flirt with boys,
These shirts offend me on so many levels.
First of all IF one of my daughters could fit into one of these shirts and IF (which they wouldn't) they brought one home, I would march them right back to the store, but oh, that's right, Forever 21 doesn't take returns. (Can you tell I hate this store?) My daughters who are a 6 and an 8 in Target, Kohls, Old Navy can't fit into anything in these stores, so I am not altogether surprised that places that encourage the teeny weeny tees and short shorts should send these messages.
Oh, and BTW my daughters have GPA's of 4.5 and 4.3 and are in the top 9% of their class. They have never taken a class that wasn't Honors or Advanced Placement. They are doing just fine with Math and all of their other work.
Honestly I dont see the offense in the 1st shirt. There are plenty novelty shirts out there for girls AND boys that reference not wanting to do homework not liking math etc. As adults let's not forget how daunting some of our primary school course could be. I am in business school now and I wish I could find a shirt that said allergic to accounting! The second shirt is just plain ridiculous and I am glad that JC Penny has pulled it. I am disappointed in the fact they even agreed to make the shirt in the first place. There is a big difference in not liking a subject and using your looks as a reasoning not to do homework that is just plain silly and I beg parents to really be involved with their children explain to them their worth and know what they are purchasing and wearing.
I honestly do not see the issue with the first shirt there are many shirts for boys AND girls that state dislike for subjects and homework and lets be honest with ourselves as children we had the same feelings. I was a honor student all through school but I was not a fan of biology at all even though I did well. The second shirt how ever is just bad taste there is a big difference in disliking a course and using a superficial means to get out of a class or homework. I am disappointed in JC Penny for even approving this design. I am thankful that people spoke up about these shirts and I ask parents to continue explain to their children their worth and be aware of what they are wearing. Let me know if you can find an Allergic to Accounting shirt ;)
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