Just this past week J. Crew featured a new ad showcasing a mother and son enjoying what seems to be a normal day in any stay-at-home mother's life. But, if you take a closer look you'll see that this isn't your typical mother-son moment. Both with smiling faces (can be typical), the mother holds her son's feet (odd, but not bizarre), which have bright pink nail polish painted on them (wait... PINK nail polish?). Yes, on her son's feet! Now, being an educator, I understand the need to explore the imagination, let children play without critiquing or criticizing, so in my mind, I'm not really all that disturbed. But my opinion is not shared by many people; mothers, fathers, critics, reporters and so on. Some argue that this ad allows and encourages children to question their sexuality. Others say that it's a form of play and argue that if your daughter dressed up as a boy during play time, would you become upset? Here's my opinion, and please understand that I am not rejecting or criticizing any body else's opinion. What makes this ad controversial is not that the child has nail polish on his toes (although some may disagree), but it seems that the mother has done it for him. I don't think either are bad, but I believe that that is what most people are getting caught up on, the fact that it seems as if the mom is encouraging her son to play with, what's typically labeled as, 'girl' products by helping him paint his toes. I have no concerns over this sort of play, but I know many other people do.
Would you let your son paint his toe nails? Would you help your son paint his toe nails if he asked? HOw about this. Would you let your son play with dolls and Barbies? Or, would let your daughter get a crew cut if she wanted one? What about allowing your daughter to play with a tool set (made for children)? Do you believe this act of 'play' is really encouraging your children to question their sexuality? Let me hear your opinion!
An Update on my post... thanks to a college friend, and
Jon Stewart :-)
(WARNING (to those who might be offended...): there is some foul beeped language and inappropriate references in the clip)
http://www.hulu.com/watch/232355/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-wed-apr-13-2011
i heard about this vaguely on twitter but didn't know the origin in the ad.
ReplyDeletethe ad seems a little silly and agenda-pushing to me--but so is worrying about nail polish turning kids gay!
any chance of you coming home for easter? miss you!