Pink Balls For Girls

re: Pink Balls For Girls

crunchy — Sun, 06 May 2007 16:51:03 GMT

My dh bought my daughter this...not becauause it was pink really but because it stopped her stealing her brothers glove and screaming that it was hers...now she is quite certain that THIS is her glove and he has his and they are not fighting.

the colour stereotypes ARE sad but the girls do by nature not nurture go for the girly stuff too.

re: Pink Balls For Girls

MG — Sun, 06 May 2007 07:54:20 GMT

Papa and MUM, it's called humor!!!

re: Pink Balls For Girls

JulieT — Sat, 05 May 2007 22:46:49 GMT

I think the pink mitt is great! My daughter loves sports, cars, and other "boy" things, but she also likes the pink and sparkly, so this would be right up her alley. She already has an iridescent pink soccer ball that she thinks is way cooler than the plain old back and white ones. :)

re: Pink Balls For Girls

tm — Sat, 05 May 2007 20:23:18 GMT

I guess I'm sexist (actually I know I am), I don't want boys to use the pink balls, gloves, etc. I like having things , whether it's sporting equipment or clothing, that are just for me. I was super excited a couple of years ago when I was shopping for new spikes and they had pink! I love my pink shoes and I really wish I would have had them as a young girl. BTW, I'm 29 and still involved with soccer, hockey and basketball. Title IX rules!

re: Pink Balls For Girls

Kelly Mills — Sat, 05 May 2007 19:19:26 GMT

I was joking about "man" colors, because I, like mum, think it's odd that some colors are for girls, and some for boys. I'd like all the kids to be able to wear pink sparkly or blue or whatever they like best, without getting mocked. Make no mistake: boys on my daughter's team were anxious about using pink because anything supposedly feminine opens them up to ridicule. That makes me mad, because they shouldn't be teased for using a pink mitt. And I'm not saying my kid shouldn't use a blue mitt, but she shouldn't have to unless she wants to. I disagree that it's sexist- I'm all for a wider range of colors, as well as a wider range of athletic options available to everyone to choose freely without fear of teasing.

re: Pink Balls For Girls

mum — Sat, 05 May 2007 17:22:25 GMT

I despise the phenomenon of boy and girl colors. What bothers me the most about it is that all colors seem to be acceptable for girls, but boys are harrassed (even by adults) if they use pastels, purples, and pinks.

My little boy actually loves pink. His bedtime toy is a pink kitten. When we are buying things for public use, however, I always cleverly disuade him from choosing pink items (like the pink cleats that he wanted for soccer - and they were even on sale and we had to go to another store to find non pink or sparkly cleats in his size!) without telling him that I'd rather he didn't get the pink because both boys AND girls will ridicule him. I feel guilty about this, but frankly, I don't know how to pragmatically approach the situation.

Papa's right equality is a two way street. We've still got a long way to go to combat sexism.

re: Pink Balls For Girls

papa — Sat, 05 May 2007 14:03:49 GMT

Hold on a second.

"Time to come around, young sons, and get comfortable with "girl" colors."?

"..boys who are comfortable enough with themselves to adopt a rosier approach to athleticism."?

Are you saying then that your daughter isn't comfortable enough with herself to adopt a bluer appoach to athleticism?

Do you not see the hipocracy in what you are saying? You criticize a boys reluctance to use something pink while saying that girls shouldn't have to use "boy colors".

I have no problem with title IX, equal pay for equal work, or even pink sporting equipment (for girls or boys). Furthermore, I understand why you are happy these are now available. However, if you are going to write about a sexist society don't be sexist yourself in the same breath. Equality is a TWO way street!