On Blue’s Clues, we intentionally designed our female puppy the color blue. Yes, a girl. And yes, blue. This still amazes plenty of people (especially the older set) upon realization of that little tidbit! We wanted to challenge preconceived notions that things don’t have to be a certain way, regardless of gender or any popular opinion for that matter.
When we categorize or generalize anything, we tend to put limitations on it or reign in our expectations for it. Needless to say, this is a definite no-no in the pursuit of raising an emotionally healthy child.
The problem is that I like personalization and every so often I’ll add an accessory or two with a splash of pink. So should this pink tool set upset me?
If I’m using a hammer or screwdriver in front of my girls does it matter if it just so happens to match my T-shirt? I’m still modeling the strong, can-do woman that doesn’t need a dude to come home and fix it for little ol’ me, aren’t I?
Perhaps since my kids who played with traditionally colored Tinkertoys, have aged out of the Disney princess stage, it’s less apparent to me now. But especially at an age when they’re spending much longer periods of time interacting with their peers and a variety of adults…now is definitely not the time for me to let my guard down!
If anything, these pretty little tools should be a simple reminder that my kids should be raised to pursue a limitless future for themselves and NOT one defined by their gender.
I have never been clear about how I felt about the pink tool thing myself. If I can use a screwdriver why can’t it be pink or floral printed (got that one at a PTA fund raiser)? I think even more important to me as a mom of two boys is why is blue, and tools and toy cars for that matter, okay for girls and women, but pink tools for a guy would seem “silly”. I think when a pink tool is just a pink tool we will really know we have changed our ideas of our gender roles. Thanks for a great and thought provoking post!
You’ve got that right Kathy. Thanks for commenting.
Love this post! Apparently the pink/blue gender differentiation used to be the total opposite before the 1940’s – blue for girls, pink for girls. Check it out!
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-Did-Girls-Start-Wearing-Pink.html#ixzz1n91tyWqA
“…A 1918 article from the trade publication Earnshaw’s Infants’ Department said, ‘The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.’”
It’s crazy how socialization can make something like color preference seem so inherent to gender…when it’s not!
My husband & I were just talking about that piece! It is amazing how black & white things seem to be when in reality there are so many shades in between. As always, popular opinion should mean “0” to a parent. Thanks Justina
oops I meant “blue for girls, pink for *boys*”!
What is wrong with gender preferences re: color? Yeah, it seems a bit blatant to make pink tools, but if a woman (or a man for that matter) likes them, the market will determine their viability.
I don’t think it’s good to raise our boys and girls gender-neutral. There are inherent gender traits with obvious exceptions. I dislike the PC notions of gender-neutral education and experiences.
Boys and girls are different. Thank God!
There will always be gender preferences which any market will cater to. Lord knows we’re all quite different…which is the spice of life.
The issue arises when certain adults make their own predetermined decisions “for” children, often excluding viable options and choices for the child. Whether a little girl wants to care for a baby doll or pretend to be a scientist with a microscope, she should see them both as equal options for her.
Thanks Bruce!
I so agree, Angela. One of my sons is really into fashion, and he is starting to get slack for it in school. I am trying my best to keep him feeling confident and assuring him that 1) he can do whatever he wants if he just keeps working at it, 2) there are TONS of very successful male fashion designers and 3) his gender does not dictate what he can do in the future. So that’s that! 🙂
Love the attitude Tiffany. Being unique definitely comes with it’s challenges, but if you’ve got important people supporting you, it’ll make the journey that much more pleasureable.