AWTM's son got a little upset at kindergarten the other day:
However, the other day upon picking Sir Rowland up from school, his teacher stopped me to tell me Sir Rowland was a little upset over one of the little girls t-shirts. It read. Girls are Smart, and in parenthesis said (boys are not). This upset Sir Rowland to no end. He was very upset, and made his teacher tell the little girl, that he a boy, was indeed smart.
One of my major pet peeves is t-shirts with suggestive and/or snotnosed punk sayings. What kind of person buys this crap for his child, let alone for one as young as a kindergartner? I think it's shameful enough when I see preteens wearing baloney like the "I may not be on time, but I'm worth the wait" shirt I saw a while back, or the kid in my neighborhood with the "Respect Me!" shirt. I was thankful to see an article at Slate a while back called Lolita's Closet: Unbearably Trampy Back-to-School Clothes. At least I'm not the only one who thinks that the teen shopping section is ripped right from the South Park "Stupid Spoiled Whore" script.
I know every parent on the planet, at one time or another, has uttered the words "my child will not wear that," but I seriously mean it. My child will not wear shirts with disgusting and degrading slogans. Period. Because I'm the mom, that's why.
MORE TO GROK:
My husband made a good point after hearing this story. He wonders how it would've gone over if a boy in the class were wearing a shirt that says that boys are smart and girls are not. Or, heaven forbid, insert a race or ethnicity. What would the teacher make of a "Puerto Ricans are dumb" shirt? Always curious about double standards...
Posted by Sarah at September 9, 2007 08:30 AM | TrackBackI completely agree. I have a daughter and a step-son so we are very aware of NOT degrading one or the other. The problem I have is when you see little girls with shorts/sweats on that says "Hottie" or something equally suggested on their butts. It is written right across their backside which then draws attention to a 12 year old bottom. It just grosses me out.
Posted by: sohos23 at September 9, 2007 11:06 AMKinda reminds me of the Southwest Airlines story that's been all over the news--the 23-year-old who was asked to cover up or get off of the plane. I was shocked when I seemed to be the only one thinking that what the airline did was fine.
Posted by: Nicole at September 9, 2007 12:25 PMThat type of attire has been around a long time. Not only did I not buy any for my kids - they never asked for or bought any for themselves.
I think the only tshirt I remember my son wearing - which I always thought was hilarious for some reason was "I Don't Play Well With Others" or something to that effect.
But by way of nasty degrading slogans... nope.
Posted by: Teresa at September 9, 2007 12:40 PMMine had a t-shirt that said, "Britney wants to be me", which I thought was hilarious because Brit-Brit is such a damn train wreck, and the shirt was being worn by my ever so cute and sweet blond third daughter.
I also think there was a "My sister did it!" shirt on my son, who also has one that says, "Ladies Man".
In any case, we're not really a t-shirt wearing family. I usually put my son in polos or the summer equivalent, and my girls generally wear non-t shirt materials and cuts. I'm not sure why.
Because we're weird, I'm sure.
I firmly believe that those stupid t-shirts (the "worth the wait" one and the "Out of Your League" one) are the reason I had so many attitude problems to deal with as a teacher.
And don't get me started on the ass writing. If you don't want people to come in the store, don't put out the open sign. Words to live by (attr. to Pastor Mike).
Posted by: airforcewife at September 9, 2007 01:36 PMYeah, I was indeed surprised this happenned at a private school. I sort of expect smartassery at public school, but a Christian school?
huh?
Oh and the sickening "bratz" trend continues with Halloween costumes, racier than those found in Fredericks this fall.
Indeed worth posting on, I just need to find the time!
Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at September 10, 2007 03:29 PM