Women staying in low-level positions

A quick look around the office confirms this:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/managing/on-the-job/women-gaining-little-ground-in-senior-management-study-finds/article2147588/

Worst toys for girls...

A little fun "What were they thinking?" on a Monday morning (so long as none of these toys actually reach  girls, we should be okay). Thanks to Deirdre for this (we both have Benign Girl phones, they do have great ringtones):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/02/worst-toys-for-girls_n_701063.html

OMG Shopping!

A few days ago, I was looking through Mexx and ran across a table of about 15 different t-shirts for toddler girls. I perused the table, and saw that one of the shirts had the Eiffel Tower on it. I am a sucker for anything Paris-related, particularly when it comes to things for my daughter (she was conceived in Paris). However, when I lifted the shirt up, I saw that it had a shopping slogan across the bottom of the shirt -- something about how girls love to shop in Paris. I looked at the rest of the table and realized that every one of those shirts had a slogan about shopping or being pretty. Every single shirt. The next table had shirts marketed at boys, with various slogans -- sports, construction, etc. -- cliches, but at least ones that involve doing/creating things that could increase self-esteem, promote physical activity, and encourage creativity. Not so for girls. The only message we are sending our very young girls is that they need to be pretty, and the only thing they are good at is spending money to look pretty. Be vacuous, girls. Leave the thinking up to the boys -- it'll only give you wrinkles.

Retailers need to consider the messages they are sending, to all people -- young and old, female and male. These branded shirts demean all of us. Any progressive clothing stores out there? I'm looking for a new place to shop -- apparently, I'm good at it. Too bad for Mexx I won't be spending my money getting pretty in their stores anymore.

Diet book for four-year olds; get them while they still have self-esteem!

Thanks to Sandra for this:
http://jezebel.com/5832072/new-childrens-book-encourages-young-girls-to-diet

Some of my favourite actresses stepping up to say no to plastic surgery!

We live in a society where boob jobs are given away as prizes in nightclubs (major surgery to look fake is a prize!??). Good to see some women, who are judged constantly on their looks, saying no:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8700007/Kate-Winslet-joins-forces-in-cosmetic-surgery-battle.html

Sleeping baby, nighttime thoughts

As I put my daughter in her crib, passed out with a tummy full of breast milk, I think about how this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Her peaceful, quiet face is better than the Eiffel Tower lit up during a Paris summer night. Right now we are close, literally as she is asleep in my arms, but also because she needs me. Now I am the most important person in her life -- the source of all things. But how long will that last? As she grows and explores, I hope that I will remain a constant source of comfort and a safe place. That is my goal.

Last weekend, my daughter was baptised. To me, this ceremony was really about starting a deeper life for her, and for ensuring that there are positive people in her life, both spiritually and otherwise. It's important, I think, for girls to have as many strong female role models as possible. I will always endeavour to be the best I can for her. Once she goes out into the world, there will be more negative influences on her than I care to think about -- people ready to introduce her far too young to makeup and dating, people with little self-respect ready to tell her about sex, people who don't like themselves ready to pick her apart. If I do my job well, she'll come back to me, will want talk about all these new things and will actually listen to what I say. Even if I disagree with some of the choices she makes in the future, if she makes them thoughtfully, that's all I can ask.

I'm excited to see the person that she will become. But not yet. I don't want this sleeping baby to grow up too fast. There is far too much of that around -- too many people pushing adult matters on kids who are not ready for it. You only have to see a commercial for the show Toddlers and Tiaras to realize that. Childhood is so short, sweetie. Stay there for as long as you can.

Sexualizing 10-year-old girls

This is the kind of digusting bullshit we have to fight against.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1035470--mallick-image-of-girl-10-on-vogue-cover-is-retching?bn=1