A wonderful blogger, Lori, just posted her response to a controversy brewing over a J. Crew ad which shows a boy wearing nail-polish on his toes. Please check out Lori's post on it. She's terrific.
It is so important that we be more accepting as adults and model kindness to our children. More and more I realize that bullying starts at home. Children who are taught to be closeminded take it to school with them.
I painfully recall two children in my middle school who were wearing political buttons to support the censorship of books about gay people and laws to restrict the rights of gay citizens. One of those children also was quite the bully--I have to wonder how much of that cruel behavior was modeled for her at home, perhaps with her mother and or father calling people names and shaming people.
That's a great ad and for the life of me I couldn't see what the issue was until I read the criticism. What rubbish! Who on earth wants to keep "all trappings of gender identity".
As a total tomboy growing up, I never understood the divisions between what was defined as suitable for boys and what for girls. Fortunately, like Lori's kids, I had great parents who didn't care what they "should" do and did the best for me. I am now an eclectic mix of a girly blogger whose ideal day out is paintballing in the mud.
I've passed on an award to you today because I love how you raise these issues and inspire debate.
Even if it is "blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children" (I don't LOL, but I gotta here, so LOL), what's wrong with that? Someone's gotta celebrate 'em for a change.
All I see is a sweet moment between a mother and her son. I don't see any sign of wrong doing. I saw the ad and "aww"-ed at the cuteness then read about the pink nail polish and relooked because I didn't even notice it. People can be so cruel.
There is NO SHAME in this game!! Except for the narrow minds that aren't worth considering!! But I consider you a very stylish blogger, and I have given you an award of the same name on my blog today! Post it with pride!!
After reading this, I realised that this ad wouldn't even make it in my country... We still have many stereotypes to fight with here... and the typical male role hasn't changed much over the years.. Sad, but true. I personally think the ad is very cute, but it made me wonder what will happen if this was in a greek magazine.. I have no idea!! Hugs :)
Wow... I'm shocked at the things people have been saying over this ad! Personally, I think this ad is fantastic! People can be so close-minded and ignorant. Makes me really sad.
That is such a sweet ad- I can't believe that people would have a problem with it (well unfortunately I do know people who would). I am off to check out Lori's response!
Wow, unbelievable that this ad is causing such a stir. We've come so far in the last 20 years, and yet, as Dimi points out, in some ways we have really NOT. I think we're heading in the right direction, but sadly I think we have at least another generation (or two) before no one blinks an eye at a sweet ad like this.
I think this has to be one of the most genuine and cutest ads that i have ever seen! I love that it was published because it shows that some people are finally coming out with honesty and not judging. I am sure there will be jerks everywhere, but this is a step in the right direction. Let people be who they are, let kids be kids!!
unreal people have nothing else to complain about.. whats the big deal over this ad? I am so saddened by the amount of intolerance in the world when there is so much opportunity for love and generosity and connection... The things people say are more a statement about themselves than those they are criticizing!! J
uh---oh....!!i think i can't do that to my boy.. I just am afraid that my only son will turn opposite..but the ad can probably apply or is ok for some ..generation these days is now different.... p.s your prev elegance outfit is very pretty that necklace and stripes overlap is elegant for me...
My opinion is that the boy in this ad is so exceedingly young he would, in all reality, not be aware of any "gender" issues surrounding getting his toenails painted; he probably still just wants to do whatever his mother is doing, as do most young children. Plus, he's getting his TOEnails done...which says to me both he and his mother are aware that it may be a bad idea to flaunt it in public but can bond at home.
Not to mention no ad is going to single-handedly turn anyone gay, lesbian, bi, or transgendered. They either are or they aren't.
I thought the ad was cute, and really am disappointed by the backlash. It seems that "gender lines" are drawn much more than I was a kid. I shudder everytime I see what would have been a "neutral" toy when I was a kid converted into something pink "for girls".
Once my friend's friend's 2 y/o son saw me powder my nose, and he wanted some, too. Dad was not happy. The boy was 2! We'd just been playing together a little, and he probably thought it was another game....
It is so important that we be more accepting as adults and model kindness to our children. More and more I realize that bullying starts at home. Children who are taught to be closeminded take it to school with them.
ReplyDeleteI painfully recall two children in my middle school who were wearing political buttons to support the censorship of books about gay people and laws to restrict the rights of gay citizens. One of those children also was quite the bully--I have to wonder how much of that cruel behavior was modeled for her at home, perhaps with her mother and or father calling people names and shaming people.
That's a great ad and for the life of me I couldn't see what the issue was until I read the criticism. What rubbish! Who on earth wants to keep "all trappings of gender identity".
ReplyDeleteAs a total tomboy growing up, I never understood the divisions between what was defined as suitable for boys and what for girls. Fortunately, like Lori's kids, I had great parents who didn't care what they "should" do and did the best for me. I am now an eclectic mix of a girly blogger whose ideal day out is paintballing in the mud.
I've passed on an award to you today because I love how you raise these issues and inspire debate.
I think this ad is Cute!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
ReplyDeleteThere's actually controversy over this ad? Wow...
ReplyDeleteBah.
Even if it is "blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children" (I don't LOL, but I gotta here, so LOL), what's wrong with that? Someone's gotta celebrate 'em for a change.
All I see is a sweet moment between a mother and her son. I don't see any sign of wrong doing. I saw the ad and "aww"-ed at the cuteness then read about the pink nail polish and relooked because I didn't even notice it. People can be so cruel.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love the ad :) xx
ReplyDeleteThere is NO SHAME in this game!! Except for the narrow minds that aren't worth considering!! But I consider you a very stylish blogger, and I have given you an award of the same name on my blog today! Post it with pride!!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, I realised that this ad wouldn't even make it in my country... We still have many stereotypes to fight with here... and the typical male role hasn't changed much over the years.. Sad, but true. I personally think the ad is very cute, but it made me wonder what will happen if this was in a greek magazine.. I have no idea!! Hugs :)
ReplyDeleteWow... I'm shocked at the things people have been saying over this ad! Personally, I think this ad is fantastic! People can be so close-minded and ignorant. Makes me really sad.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a sweet ad- I can't believe that people would have a problem with it (well unfortunately I do know people who would). I am off to check out Lori's response!
ReplyDeleteWow, unbelievable that this ad is causing such a stir. We've come so far in the last 20 years, and yet, as Dimi points out, in some ways we have really NOT. I think we're heading in the right direction, but sadly I think we have at least another generation (or two) before no one blinks an eye at a sweet ad like this.
ReplyDeleteI left a comment on Lori's blog too...the outrage over this ad incenses me. Let kids be who they are, for God's sake!!! Errrrr!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think this has to be one of the most genuine and cutest ads that i have ever seen! I love that it was published because it shows that some people are finally coming out with honesty and not judging. I am sure there will be jerks everywhere, but this is a step in the right direction. Let people be who they are, let kids be kids!!
ReplyDeleteunreal people have nothing else to complain about.. whats the big deal over this ad? I am so saddened by the amount of intolerance in the world when there is so much opportunity for love and generosity and connection... The things people say are more a statement about themselves than those they are criticizing!!
ReplyDeleteJ
uh---oh....!!i think i can't do that to my boy..
ReplyDeleteI just am afraid that my only son will turn opposite..but the ad can probably apply or is ok for some ..generation these days is now different....
p.s your prev elegance outfit is very pretty that necklace and stripes overlap is elegant for me...
My opinion is that the boy in this ad is so exceedingly young he would, in all reality, not be aware of any "gender" issues surrounding getting his toenails painted; he probably still just wants to do whatever his mother is doing, as do most young children. Plus, he's getting his TOEnails done...which says to me both he and his mother are aware that it may be a bad idea to flaunt it in public but can bond at home.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention no ad is going to single-handedly turn anyone gay, lesbian, bi, or transgendered. They either are or they aren't.
I think the add is cute and a bit tongue and cheek
ReplyDeleteReally, people will jump on a bandwagon about anything these days.
Get a life people!
Brett
Just a kid afterall... I would say let a fully grown up man wear nail polish if he wishes to. You dont have to be gay for doing that.
ReplyDeleteI really despised the criticism yahoo made about this ad recently. I mean...I paint my son's nails pink...so what?
ReplyDeleteI thought the ad was cute, and really am disappointed by the backlash. It seems that "gender lines" are drawn much more than I was a kid. I shudder everytime I see what would have been a "neutral" toy when I was a kid converted into something pink "for girls".
ReplyDeleteOnce my friend's friend's 2 y/o son saw me powder my nose, and he wanted some, too. Dad was not happy. The boy was 2! We'd just been playing together a little, and he probably thought it was another game....
so cute and awesome. and there's no "agenda" - it's his favorite color, so what? <3
ReplyDelete