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Post-feminism? I don't think so

At breakfast this morning, Firstborn, taking a break from smearing porridge in her hair, announces; "Mummy, I sit next to Freddy at school. He's my best friend."
"That's nice, darling," I say, slightly distracted by Alpha Male bitching about my credit card bill (doesn't he realise that the purchase of new shoes is an essential part of my psychological well being???)
"Freddy likes playing ships," she continues.
"That's lovely," I say. "Do you play ships too?"
Firstborn shakes her head, "No. I can't play ships. I'm a girl."
I'm astounded, "What?"
"I'm a girl," Firstborn explains patiently, rolling her eyes at my stupidity. "Girls don't play with ships. Girls play with dolls and pink things."

Oh. My. God.

So much for feminism.

Comments

Suburban Turmoil said…
I am finding, even among 1-year-olds, that the girls are very different from the boys. The boys are crashing around climbing and body slamming themselves on the ground and throwing things- The girls are much more interested in playing with anything with a face on it. I think to a large degree, we're wired this way...
12:42 am
utenzi said…
Kids are far too willing to slip comfortably into gender roles. Fortunately there are exceptions but by and large kids find it comforting. Adults too, often enough.
6:15 am
Kate B. said…
It's scary isn't it? I always thought that it was more a nurture thing, but I was wrong, wrong, wrong... not that I mind too much, I quite enjoy all the pink princess stuff, but still...
12:40 am
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