Ticked off at Target (non ds topic)

[Jenifer]

I went to Target last night to look for Joy's Halloween costume--she wants to be a doctor.

They had the kids' costumes divided into aisles by boy and girl. I was so mad when I saw that in the boys' aisle they had the usual superhero costumes, as well as costumes for a doctor, astronaut, scientist, construction worker, and businessman.

In the girls' aisle it was all princesses, fairies, cheerleaders, sock hop girls, etc. They even had a pirate girl costume that looked a lot like a hooker! No "vocational" costumes whatsoever...not even a nurse!

What kind of message is this sending to little girls??

Of course, my dh thinks I'm reading too much into it, but I guess he never had a science teacher tell him girls aren't good at science.

Joy's costume came from the boys' aisle. She is a doctor. On the lab coat, there is a place to write your name in..."Dr. __________." Joy made me write "Dr. Seuss" on her coat. That made me laugh.

Then I told her she can be anything she wants to be when she grows up. She hugged me.

Jenifer, mom to Joy Daisy

[Jessie]

Huh. Never even noticed that. I'm thinking most stores usually just have them separated by either theme or kids and adults. I just checked out a Halloween costume website to see if they had any girls in vocational costumes and there were a couple, but not many, it was still fairly divided by gender stereotypes. On the flip side, there were no boys in the angel costumes!


Jessie

[Cbean]

I'm not really into all the prissy girl stuff and agree with you whole-heartedly. Now have you mentioned anything to Target? Also, mentioning this to the costume manufacturers would be key as the major one is Ruby's who I believe are in Long Island or Queens, NY. Thay make almost all the cosutmes! Unfortunately I think the problem is most costume-wearing girls want to be princesses. I have a problem with some of the merchandise made for girls. (I especially despise anything associated with Bratz!) Remember, your a parent first, then a consumer. You have a voice. Do not go gentle into that good night...hee hee hee. I was out late last night. I had quite a few gin and tonics. I sang karaoke. That's huge for me!!! Still a little giddy, but totally agree with your point and hope you voice it!

[ALLISA]

I wouldn't get too riled by it....don't forget they were probably sorted and stocked by a high school kid just trying to get them up as quick as possible.....children probly wouldn't even notice the difference, only us parents would.....

[andrewsmom]

"On the flip side, there were no boys in the angel costumes!".....LMAO Jessie!!!!

I would say something to Target directly. Ofcourse my daughter is the kind of kid who has everything princess and wouldn't even dream of going out on Halloween if she wasn't dressed like a princess. So I didn't even notice what other costiumes were available. I think it's strange that Target would seperate the costumes into boy/girl. That just doesn't seem right to me...kwim?

-Trisha

[kellyds]

As the wife of a registered nurse, I would like to see nurse's costumes on the "Boy" side.

[momofrussell]

Well, I have a 13 yr old who is trying to notice and wear the ADULT costumes and yes, her comment to me was she WANTED to be SEXY!!! EY YI YI!!!!! I was like... Um, I don't THINK SO! Heck, at Party City they now have "teen" sizes and styles and they aren't much different then the adult, flowing our of your boosom, ones.

Cbean.. I would have LOVED some drinks and karaoke with you!!! I have never done karaoke!!!! heehee

A.

[laurasnowbird]

Hmmm, Cbean, it would take a lot of drinks to get me to do karaoke!!

And I'm with you on the Bratz thing. There are none in my house, and my family has been instructed not to buy them because they'll go in the trash. Trampy looking little things, aren't they, LOL! I may be really over the top with it though, cuz I threw away a pair of gloves that someone got for Victoria with Bratz on them.

[momofrussell]

YES.. I forgot to add I am not a BRATZ fan either....

A.

[Cbean]

I would have thrown them out too Laura!

[Debbie]

I never wanted to be a Princess. I always wanted to be the opposite. To be honest though, I really don't remember. It was too long ago. We have picture's of me in a Witch's costume with the broom and all. It was great! Our cat decided to walk up and brush herself along the side of the costume. The cat was black. ;D She made the picture perfect of course.

There is nothing wrong with a girl wanting to be doctor on Halloween. There should be all kinds of costumes for kids I think. I think the costume maker should be very creative and fix different kinds for everyone. Who wants to wear the same costume as everyone else does? Can you imgaine seeing Princesses, Witches, Ghost's and the scary ugly ones in the same room? ;D Now that sounds scary.

[meghans_mom]

Ugh to Bratz!
re: shelves being stocked by a teenager...all the stuff stocked on shelves at Target and the like are put together by "Plan-O-Gram" -- a template and you put the stuff where the big chiefs tell you...so unfortunately its someone in corporate who's making these decisions, atleast at these big type stores.

But I love the "Dr. Suess"...too clever! lol! laurie

[Jenifer]

I agree that the RN costume should also have been on the boys' side...didn't mean to imply only girls should be nurses. Unfortunately, if there had been one on the girls' side, my guess is that it would have looked more like a naughty nurse. Many of the princess ones were pretty trashy.

I guess my main frustration was that there were NO career costumes on the girls' side. And I will be in contact with Target. They heard from me the past two years when the banned the Salvation Army bellringers from the front of their stores. I would threaten to stop shopping there BUT we live in a small town and that would really limit my choices. I guess if they make me mad enough, I will ban them.

And ditto on the Bratz dolls...they are a waste of space.

Jenifer, mom to Joy Daisy