Hopping on My Soapbox

Ok so I know it's been a while since I blogged last.  I was in the hospital with my youngest, and apparently blogs are evil because the hospital wifi was blocked, so alas I had to refrain.  but I figured I would jump right back in with a bit of controversy.


Today I read an article about the new J. Crew ad that has come out, with a page that shows the J. Crew president Jenna Lyons with her son, and his toes are painted (gasp!) pink!  Apparently the news media has caught wind of a new made up controversy and taken the opportunity to run with it.  They have now associated this picture with J. Crew propagandizing (holy cow that IS a word!) "trans gender politics", and even gone as far as pointing out that J. Crew is the favorite line of Michele Obama, so she must be in on their dirty little scheme!


So on my box I go......


Since when did painting a child's toes pink or any other color for that matter cause them such psychological damage that you need to start saving for therapy now? (that opinion compliments of Dr. Keith Ablow)  I think the point is missed that this mother is spending quality time with her child, NOT watching television or playing a violent video game, but probably actually TALKING to him and engaging his social little mind in a very positive manner.  


If this photo was of a dad playing cowboys and indians with his daughter, no one would have said a peep, and thought "how cool, that dad is spending some quality time with his daughter!"  Not " Oh my GOD!  That man is creating a gender confused female who now will go on to be totally confused about her feminineness!)

My 5 year old son enjoys playing with his cousin, who happens to be a girl.  And if she wants to play princesses, than he plays along.  Some times he's a prince and sometimes they fight over which princess dress each will wear and who gets the tiara or high heels.  Not for a second do I think that he is confused about his gender because he put a dress on and pretended to be a girl, I just grab my camera for blackmail photos when he turns 16 and brings home a girl.  


Creating an atmosphere of intolerance and shame to the natural curiosity and innocence of a child should be what is debated, not the fact that a little boy happened to be wearing pink polish in a picture.  Shame on the media or those professionals in the media for trying to make an issue out of what should not be!


Now if you excuse me I am going to go make some cookies with my boys, and we might even use the heart shaped cookie cutter!!  Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!