revisionspiral
I am forced to support gender stereotyping
posted Monday, 30 June 2008
I’ve sponsored children through Children International since 1985. They have a new program to increase the number of sponsors, and I support the program and appreciate the work of the organization. HOWEVER, a letter I got from them today hyping the new program made me see red. Get this:
And if you find at least one new sponsor during the contest period, [your sponsored child] will receive a special gift. Boys will receive a soccer ball, a baseball or a basketball. . . . Girls ages 10 and under will receive a doll, and girls ages 11 and older will receive new clothing.
Yes, these kids live in traditional cultures where gender stereotypes are strongly ingrained. Fine. But does Children International, and by implication, its sponsors, have to reinforce these stereotypes? No, of course not. There are plenty of non-gender specific toys the kids could be given. Why can’t girls be given soccer balls? How about books? A kite, jump rope, ring toss, hippity hop, chalk, art supplies?
And?
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