Jul 27 2010

My Daughter Prefers Boy’s Underwear – A Tale of Star Wars, Pee Flaps, and Gender Stereotypes

Summary: If your daughter doesn’t want flowers, hearts and unicorns on her ass she’s out of luck. The shocking fact that there are no Star Wars underwear for girls.

boys star wars underwear

Recently my seven-year old daughter announced she wanted boys underwear. The idea was funny to her and she preferred the patterns on the boy’s underwear. So we got her a couple of pairs that had footballs, baseball and bats on them. The odd thing is she has no interest in these sports.

She proudly ran around the living room in her sports themed underwear and stopped frequently to see how they looked and to examine the fabric.

“What’s this part for?”

“Oh, that’s a little flap. Pull it open. It’s like a little hole.”

“Why does it have that?”

“Well, the idea is that a boy could open the flap and pull his penis through. That way he can pee in the toilet without pulling down his underwear.

“What?!! Is that for real?!!”

“Yes”

“I want to try that!”

“Uh, you can’t. You’ll just pee all over yourself. You need a penis to do it.”

“I’m going to try!”

“No you’re not. It won’t work.”

“Awwww…”

Shortly after we got the sports themed underwear her birthday came up. She was clear on what she wanted – more boys underwear – and preferably Stars Wars. The Star Wars part being the most important.

Now, one would think that Star Wars underwear would come in both boy’s and girl’s styles. Just about every kid I know, be they boy or girl, loves Star Wars. So why not market to both?

Apparently, the brilliant minds who control the children’s clothing market has decided that only boys want Darth Vader or Yoda on their butt. Girls, well they can drop $90 and get some vintage C3PO Underoos that look like a costume, but only guys get the real deal.

I was shocked.

Now, over the years I’ve gotten numb to the gender ghettoization of Toy’s R Us with their alternating pink and blue isles of girls and boys crap. I’ve even gotten numb to the over sexualization of children’s toys where the dolls look like whores or Lolitas in training and the action figures look like roid raging freaks who exist only to destroy and fight. But I was not expecting something as ubiquitous to post 70’s childhood as Star Wars to suffer the same fate.

How short-sighted and sad that they think my daughter only wants kitty cats and rainbows.

Shame on whomever deserves to be shamed on. Oh, and damn them all to hell as well.

File Under: They Don’t Make Stars Wars Underwear for Girls – Gender Prejudice in Children’s Clothing Choices


Jul 2 2010

Stay At Home Mom Wants More Help from Husband – Ask the Dad Parenting and Relationship Advice Column

Summary: You can’t hint, whine or beg for what you want from your husband – you need to give it to him straight.

Dear Dad,

My common-law husband of 7 years and I share a 3.5 year old daughter. Until recently, we owned our own business. It was ruining our relationship. We decided to close it, have him go back to work and I would stay home full-time. Since March of this year, this is how things have been. While it’s great staying home taking care of my girl and our house I am beginning to feel taken advantage of. My hubby works different shifts each day, sometimes its 7-4 or 9-5 or 10-6 or 12-9, you get the idea. Continue reading