• About

The One In The Oven

~ …just baby and toddler talk

The One In The Oven

Monthly Archives: January 2014

Innocent, sexist,…both?

06 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by Elizabeth M. Johnson in Feminism, Raising Girls, sexualization of girls

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

gender, girls, sexism, stereotypes, Storm

At the post office a few weeks ago, Elisabeth and I joined a long line of people waiting to mail packages.  The woman in front of us turned around and smiled.  We smiled back.  She and I started chatting and at one point she remarked, “I bet she’s the apple of her daddy’s eye.”  “Both of us actually.” I replied. She nodded and the line inched forward.

...so there's no confusion.

…so there’s no confusion.

I began to wonder about her assumption that my daughter would be “cherished above else” by her father but not by me.  [Granted, the woman didn’t come out and say that exactly but it was implied.] Is this one more way that sexist stereotypes affects our daughters, “Daddy’s Girl” and all that crap?  I’m not sure but it didn’t feel right when it was said aloud and that’s usually a red flag.  And while the woman wasn’t explicitly objectifying my daughter (nor was she talking directly to her) is this a great deal different than commenting on her prettiness or how well dressed she is?  Which, come to think of it, she had mentioned earlier.

Maybe I am off-base here, over-reacting or splitting hairs.  It’s possible; I am a little tired.  But here’s my sexist (and racist, homophobic, etc.): would she have talked about her adorable smile and her big blue eyes then made the dreaded apple comment if Elisabeth were a little boy?  I kind of doubt it.

Maybe Storm’s parents are onto something.

Advertisements

Recent Posts

  • Seat for One
  • Valley of the Dolls
  • A #bedtime story: #toddlers version
  • Highs and Lows
  • Turning Around

Pages

  • About

Categories

  • Baby transport
  • Babywearing
  • Be Kind to Yourself
  • Birth Circle
  • Book Reviews
  • Breastfeeding
  • Childbirth
  • Children
  • Eating
  • Feminism
  • Health
  • Life lessons
  • New parents
  • Parenting
  • parenting tips
  • Play
  • Quotes
  • Raising Girls
  • sexualization of girls
  • Sleeping
  • Teachable Moments
  • The Human Body
  • Toddlers
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Twitter Updates

Error: Twitter did not respond. Please wait a few minutes and refresh this page.

Like this content? Plenty more over at my business, Outside The Mom Box

"Outside The Mom Box: The Blog"

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Goodreads

Archives

  • January 2016
  • October 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • April 2012

Blogs I Follow

  • Mistress Syndrome
  • The Belle Jar
  • Durham Association of Educators
  • balance in the breeze
  • I Talk About Boobs And Other Things
  • human with uterus
  • The Molina's Expedition
  • Stories From the Belly
  • Aya de Leon
  • BabyCalm - Surviving the Fourth Trimester
Advertisements

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Mistress Syndrome

The Belle Jar

"Let me live, love and say it well in good sentences." - Sylvia Plath

Durham Association of Educators

Fight to Win the Schools We All Deserve

balance in the breeze

life is for sharing

I Talk About Boobs And Other Things

your worth as a parent is not measured in ounces

human with uterus

Pregnancy * Birth * Lactation * Personhood

The Molina's Expedition

Pilot's and Nagravator's Mental Floss

Stories From the Belly

A Blog About The Feminine, Creativity, and The Movement of Taking Up Space

Aya de Leon

author - activist - faculty - mom

BabyCalm - Surviving the Fourth Trimester

Calmer Babies and Happier Parents

Cancel
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy