I agree with @runningisrad I hate how stereotyped baby clothes are by gender - shirts with words are generally not my style at all, but "mommy's little ___" etc. I really don't care for.
I remember very clearly going from labor and delivery to the maternity ward after being team green and having a girl. And there were two onesies on the wall ( which were of course available for purchase in the gift shop of the hospital) and the boys one was blue and said "Future President" and the girls one was pink and said "Princess"
And my first thought was "Well that's some bullshit." This girl just tore her way through MY plebeian vagina. Unless her greatest achievement is going to be to marry royalty, she's never going to be a princess. I don't see any reason why both of those onesies could not have said "Future President." I admit that's not likely achievement either, but at least seems to be something worth aspiring to.
I'm going to take this UO one step further and say that I can't stand princess culture. The whole disney fairytale princess pink-pink-pink stuff leaves a horrible taste in my mouth and I don't want to perpetuate it. When you look at these characters nearly all of them strive to marry rich and have no relevant ambition beyond that. Can't one of these women get a damn job?
Speaking of little boys clothes. I despise the mustache theme. It was lame when it was popular years ago for people to have mustaches on their fingers and hold them up to the face, or on sticks, or on beer mugs. Thankfully it passed. But it needs to go away on baby clothes already #sorrynotsorry
@Thscary when I lived in CA, we went to a comedy club and Tosh was a surprise guest. Everyone was excited, except me- I find him painfully not funny. I took that time to go use the bathroom and I didn't have to wait!
I'm going to take this UO one step further and say that I can't stand princess culture. The whole disney fairytale princess pink-pink-pink stuff leaves a horrible taste in my mouth and I don't want to perpetuate it. When you look at these characters nearly all of them strive to marry rich and have no relevant ambition beyond that. Can't one of these women get a damn job?
Eh, I disagree. I think some of the earlier Princess movies are sexist (Snow White and Cinderella), but the more modern ones have tried to be empowering. Merida just wants to live her life her own way and doesn't get married, Tiana's goal is to open a restaurant, Repunzal wants to find the lights she sees every year on her birthday (leading to reuniting with her parents), Belle wants to be left alone to read, Elsa wants to be able to control her power, and Ana... well, she does want to meet a man and then it turns out to not be what she expected and she ends up saving herself instead of your typical true love's kiss deal. I think Disney has worked hard to try to make their princesses less damsel in distress waiting for her Prince Charming. My daughter is already showing interest in princesses, and it doesn't bother me. Just as her love of of dirt and trains don't bother me. These are just facets of her personality. A girl can like pink and other "girly" things and still be strong and independent. I'm not saying you said this, but the idea that traditionally feminine things are lesser bothers me.
@camichael84 I agree with you on the recent Disney movies. Im very impressed with the direction they have taken vs the classics that I grew up with. But I love the classics too! I don't have a girl but if I did I would not discourage pink/sparkles/ruffles/princess. When I was little I loved princess themed things and girly stuff and it wasn't because I wanted to attract a man to marry me it was bc I though it was pretty and fun to play dress up! The same way I don't discourage my son from loving Thomas the Train, airplanes and trucks. It makes him happy and that makes me happy. Kids need to be able to make their own choices and have some independance not sheltered away from a theme or "gender role" bc it annoys the adults. Let them be kids.
I may be the black sheep of this board. I was induced at 39&1 with my son, he was a big baby and I was terrified of going into labor at home. My son wears clothes that say future #1 draft pick. This LO is a girl and her room is pink and pink and roses and butterflies. I've made her dozens of bows already. And to top it all off I'm a republican!
Oh well! Our nursery theme will be "princess-y" and we love it! Pink everywhere and ruffles galore. We're even getting her a princess hooded towel with a crown.
I'm particular about her clothes but will do the girly thing. I'll let my kids be kids and play with whatever they want but I'll go all pink and blue while they're tiny. Gender stereotypes really don't bother me at all.
DD has been wearing a frilly pink tutu over her clothes for almost a week. Last night she took her tool set out to the shop to help DH with fixing the tire on my car. I wish I had a picture of my strong minded little girl in her frills holding her drill. Kids are going to end up liking what they like regardless of how we dress them in only this or that. I think we underestimate their own pint sized opinions/preferences.
Natural M/C 03.26.2012 at 10w2d Charlotte born at 28w3d due to severe IUGR on 12.24.2012 Merry Christmas! Missed M/C discovered 12.22.2014 at 8w1d measuring 6w3d 2015 was a year to test strength of both body and character, but it led us to this... BFP 01.26.2016 EDD 9.30.2016
@Cricket Bug Oh my god, that image makes me want to cry! So sweet. I love it, I wish you had gotten pictures!!
As for gender stereotyped clothing -- some of it doesn't bother me, some of it does. The one thing that really bothers me is when I go into a store and everything is very strongly either/or for girls/boys -- there are some stores that just don't seem to understand gender neutral clothing or even clothing with gender "hints" but no overwhelming message.
I think the worst one I've seen was a picture of two onesies, and the boy one said something like "stud" and the girl one said "I hate my thighs". NO NO NO NO NO.
@lovelylauren86@AlwaysAuntNeverMom My first daughter's room is pink galore. It's my favorite color, so why would I not use it? We are going yellow and grey with this baby girl, but I'm adding sparkly touches. If at any point either girls express that they hate pink/sparkles/ruffles, I'll stop putting them in it. But, as their mother, I get to dress them in the things I like. Just as we have dozens (seriously dozens) of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle onsies and shirts for them because that is a favorite of my husband.
@cricket bug I wish I could have seen your daughter in her tutu with her drill. That sounds adorable!
@SLou24 The clothing you mention or the Superman logo pic example from above do bother me. I'm not putting my girls in anything with negative connotations (such as she should hate her body or be striving to find a man).
UO: This discussion made me think about this, Although I completely agree that traditional gender roles shouldn't be forced, it's also really irritating to me that now it's gone the opposite direction where if your child just happens to love all things typical of their gender, that's now frowned upon too because it looks like you forced it, or she should like gender neutral things. If DD loves pink and frillies and glitter and only wants to wear dresses and wants to be a princess, then more power to you sister. I'm sick of women saying they would never dress their daughter in pink or paint her room pink. That's the problem, you're making gender roles about clothing and colors.
Help your children to open their minds to careers that aren't typical for their gender, and to have goals outside of the "normal" realm for their gender. And no matter what my daughters choose, from ballerina to construction worker, that's fine! I'm happy, because they chose it without thinking they had to because they have a vagina. And if they want to wear a pink hard hat while they work in construction, I'll find the pinkest damn hard hat they make.
I grew up loving Disney princesses. Went on to get my doctorate and married for love, not money or fame or royalty aspirations, and am the bread winner of the family. I think it's fun for little kids to fantasize and watch movies and never think further into it than that.
@lovelylauren86 - I've got some competition for you... my son is also often rocking "Future #1 Draft Pick" or "All-Star" clothing!
Funny thing, for my daughter's first birthday, my husbands grandmother (who is old and innocent and had absolutely no idea what she was buying, nor did she know what the picture was on the front) bought my DD a little t-shirt that said "future trophy wife" with one of those naked lady silhouettes from a truck mud flap. Funny, because she had no clue, but also sad because why the hell do they make that and let alone in a 2T??
@KimmySchmidt@PSUBecky23 that's what the root of it is - the difference between the boys stuff and girls stuff is RIDICULOUS. Baby girls only get superficial "sweet and pretty, Princess" shit and boys get the cool superhero, or ambitious stuff? Or get labeled as a "stud" or "ladies man"? Really? I hate it. I do not mind more vague stuff like "little man" or "I love auntie" or stuff like that. To me those aren't the same thing. But that Future President/Princess thing makes me want to scream.
I also hate the whole princess culture. My daughter likes princesses, but I try to steer her toward ones like Merida or Elsa, who don't end up with a boy in the end. When all is said and done I want her to CHOOSE who she wants to be (THATS feminism) but i can't help but try and give her gentle little nudges away from the superficial "fashionista" crap.
*************************************** FORMER USERNAME:@runningisrad
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
I typically prefer baby clothing without sayings and cute animals etc. It's good to know though that so many people appreciate it because there's a lot out there! Different strokes for different folks I was happy to find primary.com that offers baby and kid basics in solid colors. Even black
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
^^^ this. And it also bothers me when others just assume things about my kid one way or the other. I swear to all things the first time someone tells this boy to "man up" I will bite them in the face. When we found out this baby was a boy my MIL lost her mind. "Now you have to buy stuff with trucks and puppies and monsters and blah blah blah!" She's very into traditional gender roles.
*************************************** FORMER USERNAME:@runningisrad
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
^^^ this. And it also bothers me when others just assume things about my kid one way or the other. I swear to all things the first time someone tells this boy to "man up" I will bite them in the face. When we found out this baby was a boy my MIL lost her mind. "Now you have to buy stuff with trucks and puppies and monsters and blah blah blah!" She's very into traditional gender roles.
Or when they tell them that they need to stop crying because boys don't cry! I work with a guy that's always talking about his son crying and him telling him to suck it up and be a man. No. You're teaching your son to avoid feeling and empathy.
I think I might be your MIL @runningisradlol. We're even doing a truck/construction themed nursery this time around. I love traditional gender roles for little kids. I am fully accepting that some do not accept traditional gender roles and that down the road we might learn that my sons don't identify with the gender they've been born into.. but until I know that, it's all trucks, sports and puppies in our house
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
I don't think anyone is arguing this. I actually think the general consensus on here is that marketing in that direction is crap.
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
I don't think anyone is arguing this. I actually think the general consensus on here is that marketing in that direction is crap.
I think there are some on here who don't see it as a big deal, with the feeling that if you don't like it, then don't buy it. To me, it's a symptom of larger societal problems - that include the wage gap, ridiculous beauty standards, stigmas against feminism, people like Trump hurling the "women's card" at our first legitimate female presidential candidate (yes, I went there), etc, etc.
I don't mind the sayings on kids clothes mostly. I already bought a few pieces that say "hunk" "daddy's allstar" and one with a whale that says "I'm a really great catch". But I don't know how I would feel about some of the sayings if we were having a girl. I can't believe that they make a girls onesie that says "I hate my thighs". That shit is infuriating
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
I don't think anyone is arguing this. I actually think the general consensus on here is that marketing in that direction is crap.
I think there are some on here who don't see it as a big deal, with the feeling that if you don't like it, then don't buy it. To me, it's a symptom of larger societal problems - that include the wage gap, ridiculous beauty standards, stigmas against feminism, people like Trump hurling the "women's card" at our first legitimate female presidential candidate (yes, I went there), etc, etc.
I agree 100% with you.
*************************************** FORMER USERNAME:@runningisrad
I believe tutus and capes (both worn by either girls or boys) are for dress up and not school or going about town.*
*i have never had to dress and get a child ready to leave the house in the morning so we'll see how my opinion gels with real parenting life!
ETA: I feel like I've written this in a past UO. IDK. Tired.
I've totally let my daughter wear her dress-up stuff out. She's been out in a cape, a Merida dress, a Spider-Man costume, a mask... Not so much anymore now that she's older, but when she was 2-3 she loved wearing her costumes all over!
*************************************** FORMER USERNAME:@runningisrad
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
^^^ this. And it also bothers me when others just assume things about my kid one way or the other. I swear to all things the first time someone tells this boy to "man up" I will bite them in the face. When we found out this baby was a boy my MIL lost her mind. "Now you have to buy stuff with trucks and puppies and monsters and blah blah blah!" She's very into traditional gender roles.
Or when they tell them that they need to stop crying because boys don't cry! I work with a guy that's always talking about his son crying and him telling him to suck it up and be a man. No. You're teaching your son to avoid feeling and empathy.
THIS.
*************************************** FORMER USERNAME:@runningisrad
I never will forget when our nephew was about 2-3, he was writing with chalk at his grandparents (husbands parents) house. He was coloring with pink chalk and had gotten some on his clothes. My sister in law (his mom) came to pick him up and started teasing him for it, calling him a girl, asking if he was a little sissy, shit like that. I was LIVID, and he isn't even my child.
I fear for the person that tries to do something like that to my son.
*************************************** FORMER USERNAME:@runningisrad
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
I don't think anyone is arguing this. I actually think the general consensus on here is that marketing in that direction is crap.
I think there are some on here who don't see it as a big deal, with the feeling that if you don't like it, then don't buy it. To me, it's a symptom of larger societal problems - that include the wage gap, ridiculous beauty standards, stigmas against feminism, people like Trump hurling the "women's card" at our first legitimate female presidential candidate (yes, I went there), etc, etc.
I agree with what you are saying about some of these clothing options planting seeds that continue gender inequality issues, but I also haven't read anything anyone has posted as being in favor of the onsies that say things like "I hate my thighs" or "I only date Super Heros". Some people have said they put their kids in clothing with sayings (I am one), but there are sayings on clothes that are not gender stereotypical and degrading.
I guess my UO would be I don't care about the shirts and onesies, my kid can't read and if I don't like the shirt, I won't buy it or put it on DS.
DS is into super-heroes (he's 3.5) if he wants to dress like a super hero and wear his Thor, Captain America, IronMan costumes or his fireman boots with his fire jacket to the store, we let him, it's not about the gender stereotype, it's about what he likes. This is what he wants and to be honest, he's 3, who cares. If I don't like it or feel it might be offensive, it doesn't make it into his drawers for him to pick in the morning.
There are tons of things in the store that I find "offensive", why do people need to wear a saying on the butt? So people can stare at your butt and try to figure out what it says? I don't wear them, but to each their own, same goes for baby clothing.
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
I don't think anyone is arguing this. I actually think the general consensus on here is that marketing in that direction is crap.
I think there are some on here who don't see it as a big deal, with the feeling that if you don't like it, then don't buy it. To me, it's a symptom of larger societal problems - that include the wage gap, ridiculous beauty standards, stigmas against feminism, people like Trump hurling the "women's card" at our first legitimate female presidential candidate (yes, I went there), etc, etc.
I agree with what you are saying about some of these clothing options planting seeds that continue gender inequality issues, but I also haven't read anything anyone has posted as being in favor of the onsies that say things like "I hate my thighs" or "I only date Super Heros". Some people have said they put their kids in clothing with sayings (I am one), but there are sayings on clothes that are not gender stereotypical and degrading.
I guess I read things a little differently than you. To each, her own. Just a hot button (to me) issue that I feel strongly about.
@AMT1107 the problem there would be if you had a daughter and she also wanted to wear super heroe stuff and you would either buy her the pink version of the suit her stuff or make her wear princess stuff because she's a girl.
As as far as the tutu and capes conversation, husband and I have decided that on a daily basis, when baby starts wanting to dress himself, he must follow the following rules: some type of weather appropriate bottoms, some time of weather appropriate top, shoes (socks if needed) and a coat/jacket if needed. If he wants to wear a cape or a tutu on top of that, go for it. By giving him a choice of what to wear, hopefully he will fight less on days where he needs to wear something specific (school uniform, formal events, etc).
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
I don't think anyone is arguing this. I actually think the general consensus on here is that marketing in that direction is crap.
I think there are some on here who don't see it as a big deal, with the feeling that if you don't like it, then don't buy it. To me, it's a symptom of larger societal problems - that include the wage gap, ridiculous beauty standards, stigmas against feminism, people like Trump hurling the "women's card" at our first legitimate female presidential candidate (yes, I went there), etc, etc.
I agree with what you are saying about some of these clothing options planting seeds that continue gender inequality issues, but I also haven't read anything anyone has posted as being in favor of the onsies that say things like "I hate my thighs" or "I only date Super Heros". Some people have said they put their kids in clothing with sayings (I am one), but there are sayings on clothes that are not gender stereotypical and degrading.
I guess I read things a little differently than you. To each, her own. Just a hot button (to me) issue that I feel strongly about.
Not the first time that I have interpreted things differently than someone else on the board. Probably won't be the last. Mainly, I like how we can disagree on this board and stay respectful to one another.
I'd agree with @camichael84- If my comments are being interpreted as saying that I like onesies saying "I hate my thighs" then I'm being misread. I do like pink, "girly" clothing for girls and I do like "macho man" outfits for boys. To me, the two things can not be equated.. I'll bend enough to say that they're on the same, very long wavelength, perhaps... but are on such opposite ends of an extreme spectrum.
My daughter is very very feminine, and so was I. I never wanted to play with trucks or cars or video games or dinosaurs. I never wanted to play rough or competitive sports. I hated superheroes. I was never particularly ambitious career-wise. I always wanted to be a teacher or a nurse or a mom. My DD1 is so much like me it's scary sometimes. She loves ALL the Disney princesses, all the pink, all the dolls/ballerinas/fairies, sparkles/jewelry/makeup/shoes/dress up. She is so very gentle and there isn't an aggressive bone in her body. She loves to nurture. She didn't even want me to buy her black shorts the other day because they weren't "pretty" enough.
Sometimes you and/or your children happen to fall on the far end of the gender stereotype scale. I would never force any stereotype on my daughter, but I can't say I don't LOVE getting to share all the things with her that I loved as a little girl. I suppose it's possible I could've swayed her a little on the girly side, but I believe it's more likely genetics. I don't know what DD2 will be like, but my sister and I were like night and day growing up. I can't wait to get to know her unique personality and likes/dislikes. I just hope that I can encourage all of my children to be 100% who they are and push them to achieve all of things they want to achieve.
@AMT1107 the problem there would be if you had a daughter and she also wanted to wear super heroe stuff and you would either buy her the pink version of the suit her stuff or make her wear princess stuff because she's a girl.
I'm okay with this, she can wear whatever she wants, why can't a girl wear an IronMan mask or a boy put on a tutu and dance around? This is the time to show their independence and show the world what they love. We let DS pick what he wants when we go to the store, if he has a gift card or money from the grandparents, we don't steer him towards the boy stuff or the girl stuff, we walk all of TRU. If he wants to pick the pink kitchen set there, that's his choice.
However YOU want to raise your child, whether it's all the frills and lace for your daughter or tough guy toys for your son, that's fine. I don't need clothing companies and marketers encouraging boys to go into science fields and girls to stay home and be pretty.
I don't think anyone is arguing this. I actually think the general consensus on here is that marketing in that direction is crap.
I think there are some on here who don't see it as a big deal, with the feeling that if you don't like it, then don't buy it. To me, it's a symptom of larger societal problems - that include the wage gap, ridiculous beauty standards, stigmas against feminism, people like Trump hurling the "women's card" at our first legitimate female presidential candidate (yes, I went there), etc, etc.
I kind of think that everyone here is saying the same thing, just that they're all saying it in a different way. I completely agree with you.
Re: UO Thursday
I remember very clearly going from labor and delivery to the maternity ward after being team green and having a girl. And there were two onesies on the wall ( which were of course available for purchase in the gift shop of the hospital) and the boys one was blue and said "Future President" and the girls one was pink and said "Princess"
And my first thought was "Well that's some bullshit." This girl just tore her way through MY plebeian vagina. Unless her greatest achievement is going to be to marry royalty, she's never going to be a princess. I don't see any reason why both of those onesies could not have said "Future President." I admit that's not likely achievement either, but at least seems to be something worth aspiring to.
**mobile bumping**
DD 10/4/02
DS due 9/28/16
I can't think of an original UO at the moment.
● IUI #2: BFP - early M/C
● IUI #3: BFN
● IUI #4: BFN
● IVF/FET #1 (2 transferred): BFP! TWINS!
● FET #2 (1 transferred): BFP! BOY #3!
● Natural #1: BFP - M/C @ 8 weeks
● Natural #2: BFP - M/C @ 5w5d
I was induced at 39&1 with my son, he was a big baby and I was terrified of going into labor at home.
My son wears clothes that say future #1 draft pick.
This LO is a girl and her room is pink and pink and roses and butterflies. I've made her dozens of bows already.
And to top it all off I'm a republican!
I'm particular about her clothes but will do the girly thing. I'll let my kids be kids and play with whatever they want but I'll go all pink and blue while they're tiny. Gender stereotypes really don't bother me at all.
Charlotte born at 28w3d due to severe IUGR on 12.24.2012 Merry Christmas!
Missed M/C discovered 12.22.2014 at 8w1d measuring 6w3d
2015 was a year to test strength of both body and character, but it led us to this... BFP 01.26.2016 EDD 9.30.2016
As for gender stereotyped clothing -- some of it doesn't bother me, some of it does. The one thing that really bothers me is when I go into a store and everything is very strongly either/or for girls/boys -- there are some stores that just don't seem to understand gender neutral clothing or even clothing with gender "hints" but no overwhelming message.
I think the worst one I've seen was a picture of two onesies, and the boy one said something like "stud" and the girl one said "I hate my thighs". NO NO NO NO NO.
@cricket bug I wish I could have seen your daughter in her tutu with her drill. That sounds adorable!
@SLou24 The clothing you mention or the Superman logo pic example from above do bother me. I'm not putting my girls in anything with negative connotations (such as she should hate her body or be striving to find a man).
If DD loves pink and frillies and glitter and only wants to wear dresses and wants to be a princess, then more power to you sister. I'm sick of women saying they would never dress their daughter in pink or paint her room pink. That's the problem, you're making gender roles about clothing and colors.
Help your children to open their minds to careers that aren't typical for their gender, and to have goals outside of the "normal" realm for their gender. And no matter what my daughters choose, from ballerina to construction worker, that's fine! I'm happy, because they chose it without thinking they had to because they have a vagina. And if they want to wear a pink hard hat while they work in construction, I'll find the pinkest damn hard hat they make.
@lovelylauren86 - I've got some competition for you... my son is also often rocking "Future #1 Draft Pick" or "All-Star" clothing!
I also hate the whole princess culture. My daughter likes princesses, but I try to steer her toward ones like Merida or Elsa, who don't end up with a boy in the end. When all is said and done I want her to CHOOSE who she wants to be (THATS feminism) but i can't help but try and give her gentle little nudges away from the superficial "fashionista" crap.
FORMER USERNAME: @runningisrad
FORMER USERNAME: @runningisrad
*i have never had to dress and get a child ready to leave the house in the morning so we'll see how my opinion gels with real parenting life!
ETA: I feel like I've written this in a past UO. IDK. Tired.
I think there are some on here who don't see it as a big deal, with the feeling that if you don't like it, then don't buy it. To me, it's a symptom of larger societal problems - that include the wage gap, ridiculous beauty standards, stigmas against feminism, people like Trump hurling the "women's card" at our first legitimate female presidential candidate (yes, I went there), etc, etc.
FORMER USERNAME: @runningisrad
FORMER USERNAME: @runningisrad
FORMER USERNAME: @runningisrad
I fear for the person that tries to do something like that to my son.
FORMER USERNAME: @runningisrad
DS is into super-heroes (he's 3.5) if he wants to dress like a super hero and wear his Thor, Captain America, IronMan costumes or his fireman boots with his fire jacket to the store, we let him, it's not about the gender stereotype, it's about what he likes. This is what he wants and to be honest, he's 3, who cares. If I don't like it or feel it might be offensive, it doesn't make it into his drawers for him to pick in the morning.
There are tons of things in the store that I find "offensive", why do people need to wear a saying on the butt? So people can stare at your butt and try to figure out what it says? I don't wear them, but to each their own, same goes for baby clothing.
As as far as the tutu and capes conversation, husband and I have decided that on a daily basis, when baby starts wanting to dress himself, he must follow the following rules: some type of weather appropriate bottoms, some time of weather appropriate top, shoes (socks if needed) and a coat/jacket if needed. If he wants to wear a cape or a tutu on top of that, go for it. By giving him a choice of what to wear, hopefully he will fight less on days where he needs to wear something specific (school uniform, formal events, etc).
My daughter is very very feminine, and so was I. I never wanted to play with trucks or cars or video games or dinosaurs. I never wanted to play rough or competitive sports. I hated superheroes. I was never particularly ambitious career-wise. I always wanted to be a teacher or a nurse or a mom. My DD1 is so much like me it's scary sometimes. She loves ALL the Disney princesses, all the pink, all the dolls/ballerinas/fairies, sparkles/jewelry/makeup/shoes/dress up. She is so very gentle and there isn't an aggressive bone in her body. She loves to nurture. She didn't even want me to buy her black shorts the other day because they weren't "pretty" enough.
Sometimes you and/or your children happen to fall on the far end of the gender stereotype scale. I would never force any stereotype on my daughter, but I can't say I don't LOVE getting to share all the things with her that I loved as a little girl. I suppose it's possible I could've swayed her a little on the girly side, but I believe it's more likely genetics. I don't know what DD2 will be like, but my sister and I were like night and day growing up. I can't wait to get to know her unique personality and likes/dislikes. I just hope that I can encourage all of my children to be 100% who they are and push them to achieve all of things they want to achieve.