Dear stores, What about the boys?

Submitted by Mastodon on Wed, 2015-09-09 20:15

Article here. Excerpt:

'Dear Gap,

I’d like to take a minute to introduce you to my son. He’s a bright 11-year-old who wants to go to MIT when he grows up. He plays guitar and piano. He has a kind heart and sometimes gives up his birthday presents in lieu of dog and cat food for our local animal shelter.

This year, when we were school shopping at your store, he said something that made me want to write to you. After much shrugging and dragging his feet, he picked a few things out to buy. This is not usual behavior for my son. He enjoys buying things whether they are clothes, a remote helicopter, or a new graphic novel.

But when we finally reached the cashier, my son quietly said to me, “I guess boys are insignificant.”

I thought I misheard him and bought the clothes, but then he enlightened me: He nodded towards the girls’ side of the store. I’m ashamed to admit I hadn’t even noticed the advertisements. Three large prints of beautiful young girls were advertised as future engineers, athletes, and musicians. I explained to my son that Gap is trying to encourage girls; they are trying to make girls feel like they can do anything. In essence, Gap is trying to empower the women of the future.

Then he motioned to the boys’ side of the store. There was one advertisement of a boy in Gap clothing. His future was not projected. And, frankly, there were very few clothes for him to choose from.'

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Comments

Not a rat's a$$. Great you wrote that letter, but don't hold your breath waiting for the jackasses to change all their signage.

Nymphotropism knows no bounds. But I will say I'm pleased and surprised that WaPo published the piece.

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Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2015-09-10 00:29

there is a mute button on my remote. the commercials on teevee praising women and disparaging males has hit a new apex. its all about the women these days everywhere you look. yep, I bet a man invented the mute button.

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Submitted by daveinga on Thu, 2015-09-10 21:05

maybe it's time for the Gap to go on the boycott list...?

Hmmm... "Gap".., Interesting name, in this instance, don't you think?

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Submitted by ErikaLancastor on Thu, 2015-09-10 21:42

Well, there used to be a store called "Woodies" but I don't think they were catering just to men.

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Submitted by mens_issues on Fri, 2015-09-11 01:55

"I bet a man invented the mute button."

Along with the remote, the TV, the electrical grid (men discovered electricity, too), power outlets, power cords, houses for TVs to be in, neighborhood assns and neighborhoods in general, paved roads, sewage systems, modern gov't to enable it all, legal systems and law enforcement to keep it all safe, and did I neglect to mention damned near everything else you can imagine, point to, or talk about?

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Submitted by Matt on Sat, 2015-09-12 15:11