Halloween
I would like to think that I despise all over-commercialized holidays equally, but sadly that is not the case. Even though I hate the way my wallet gets picked every Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day, I have to admit there are some parts of these holidays that are harmless fun. Christmas is great, if you decide on a few rules to limit the commercial orgy. For example, adults don’t buy each other presents is the rule at our house. Halloween is tonnes of fun too. What could be wrong with constructing a costume to go over your snow suit and taking the kidlets door to door to beg for candy from strangers? Well, let me tell you, the costume buying part of this expedition always gets my goat. I am the mother of two girls and the most important thing I can do for them is try to help them navigate all the patriarchal pitfalls that get thrown at them, just because they were born female. Halloween is unfortunately a very patriarchy-friendly holiday. Allow me to demonstrate. The following pictures were taken with my new Crackberry while I was shopping at Value Village and Superstore.
Notice anything incredibly gross and creepy about these costumes? Oh yes, they all sexualize little girls and worst of all, enforce the gender binary. Girls and boys are so different and we must emphasize those differences as much as possible. Anyway, to finish off this post with the bad Crackberry pics, allow me to continue with the boys costumes.
See, boys get to do cool stuff like beat people up and save the day. Girls are supporting characters at best and sex objects at worst.
Happy Halloween.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
What scrumptious girl costumes, heh, heh – wait, I’m creeping myself out. Yes, evil patriarchy
February 10th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
hi mum its katy i totally agreee!!!!!