The Early Learning Centre reinforces gender stereotypes in a really boring way

27Jul10

But I wanted to be an interior decorator ...

“For the little princess in the family we have great feminine outfits like Butterfly Fairy, Sleeping Beauty, Ballerina and Nurse’s uniform. Why not add a medical case for that extra touch of authenticity.” (or why not add a question mark at the end of the sentence … ahem) 
 
“The boys are catered for too, with great Doctor, Policeman & Fireman uniforms, not to mention fantastic Pirate and Knight costumes.”

Turns out not only do the Early Learning Centre have some shit web copy but are also a bunch of sexist douchebags. Feel free to use the email below to tell them so here.

Dear Early Learning Centre,

I find your website copy on your dressing up section completely ridiculous and outdated. Nurse uniforms for little girls and doctors’ for little boys – I’m sorry, is it the 1950s?

Companies like you play a part in reinforcing gender stereotypes and narrowing people’s conception of what it means to be female or male – and consequently their choices and actions. You might like to read this recent New Scientist article entitled “Out with pink and blue: don’t foster the gender divide” which discusses how detrimental gender steretyping can be.

I’m sure you sell a lot of princess and fairy outfits for little girls, but you have the option to take responsibility for creating a more diverse world for children. I urge you to take that responsibility seriously.

Yours sincerely

Chloe George

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Tags: Early Learning Centre, gender stereotypes