This grainy cel-phone pic has been passed around this week, originating on Gizmodo.com, and comments are flying about what a bad toy it is, and how parents are outraged:
Baby Wants Pole
It's fricking honest, is what it is. A cheerful pole dancer is the only female role model America really wants. That's why Miley Cyrus is on a pole. That's why Britney was on one when she was 18 and one second. We might be living through a third consecutive Republican White House if Sarah Palin had just dropped the facade and climbed a pole. These things don't come from nowhere and marketing doesn't lie. Feminism has fallen down gone boom and we all need to pick it the f*ck up again.
For one second, think about whether you, as a person with lady parts, have ever said "It's fun to go to the strip club an' get attention from the dancers!", or said "Those Suicide Girls seem pretty self-actualized, because having tattoos means you're your own person!" and realize that you might be part of the problem. Being comfortable with your own body and sexuality has gotten confused with being p*rn-positive and chauvinist-friendly to an uncomfortable degree. I'm not talking about suppressing freedom of expression, and I'm not saying you shouldn't do exactly what pleases you- I'm just saying, if you don't like the society we're living in, own your part in creating it.
Hey! Serious for a second! That was weird, huh.
Baby Wants Pole
It's fricking honest, is what it is. A cheerful pole dancer is the only female role model America really wants. That's why Miley Cyrus is on a pole. That's why Britney was on one when she was 18 and one second. We might be living through a third consecutive Republican White House if Sarah Palin had just dropped the facade and climbed a pole. These things don't come from nowhere and marketing doesn't lie. Feminism has fallen down gone boom and we all need to pick it the f*ck up again.
For one second, think about whether you, as a person with lady parts, have ever said "It's fun to go to the strip club an' get attention from the dancers!", or said "Those Suicide Girls seem pretty self-actualized, because having tattoos means you're your own person!" and realize that you might be part of the problem. Being comfortable with your own body and sexuality has gotten confused with being p*rn-positive and chauvinist-friendly to an uncomfortable degree. I'm not talking about suppressing freedom of expression, and I'm not saying you shouldn't do exactly what pleases you- I'm just saying, if you don't like the society we're living in, own your part in creating it.
Hey! Serious for a second! That was weird, huh.
pretty sure that's NOT for kids, and is probably sold in spencer's gifts next to shirts that say "Boobies make me smile" , but i'm no genius.
ReplyDeletecrude, yes. misogynistic, yes. for kids, NO. so parents' outrage sounds pretty silly. i don't think they are selling this thing in the aisles of toys 'r' us.
also, some sex workers may be totally self-actualized, but not because of their tattoos. this really has nothing to do with feminism. i think you and i both know that a teen girl on a pole is in appropriate and sad whether it be britney, miley, or some random chick in oklahoma at 'leather and lace'.
Yeah; I'm taking what you said as intended, VJ. Besides, if a parent actually buys this for their child, did that child have a decent future in store, anyway?
ReplyDeleteHere, honey...When I went to the Happy Mart and picked up a carton of Kools, I saw this and thought you'd like it... She looks just like your cousin Cheyenne workin' down at the Sip n' Spin.
Really, is it any worse than a Bratz doll? Who would buy THOSE for their kids? I think the market, in it's simple beauty, is filling a niche need.