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19th April 2022
07:08pm BST

It might not sound like a big deal at first – they're just words, and clothes are just clothes. But when you see side-by-side comparisons, the difference is stark and highlights the roles boys and girls are assigned at a very early age.
Little girls' clothing overwhelmingly tells them to show passivity, humility and positivity. Clothing for young boys instead assures them they're born great and can do or go after anything they want.
Girls are sent the message that they should consider others, while boys are given the message that they don't need to think of anyone but themselves.
The difference in gendered clothing for kids has been highlighted by shoppers from various countries through the years, showing that it's not limited to one brand or store. Take a look and see for yourself:
To be GRATEFUL, HUMBLE and OPTIMISTIC. pic.twitter.com/XR97gxpLlj
— Kate Long (@volewriter) February 6, 2022
CHANGE THE GAME. REWRITE THE RULES. GO FOR IT. BORN TO WIN. pic.twitter.com/NXsfoy9Mgb
— Kate Long (@volewriter) February 6, 2022
Please RT this sexist set of baby jammies from Target. Boys can be heroes; girls can date heroes. #target #sexism pic.twitter.com/44bbIGDIqP
— Aimée Morrison (@digiwonk) September 29, 2014
@SHEIN_official why are your clothes for TODDLERS full of horrible, negative, sexist messaging? Girls as makeup-needing ‘sassy’ ‘drama queens’, boys encouraged to objectify women and ignore them before bossing them around? #sexism #retailers #genderstereotypes @letclothesbe pic.twitter.com/km65E0LHT1
— Alice LCBC (@AliceLCBC) April 11, 2022
Looking 4 kids' holiday clothes this morning @Morrisons Didn't buy anything. I see you don't think much of girls @letclothesbe @PinkstinksUK pic.twitter.com/aSuXcEWBJx
— ShelleyRoche-Jacques (@RocheJacques) July 24, 2017
When it comes to young children, this has nothing to with build. "The body is the same, size-wise. You’re growing and developing in the same way until you reach six years, more or less," Sammaritano says, adding that designers generally use the same dress forms for boys and girls up until that age.
All in all, there's nothing wrong with some clothing being more about a 'look' than function. Nor is there anything wrong with slogans promoting kindness and positivity, or ambition and self-belief.
But if we're going to still design, sell and buy gendered clothing marketed as "for boys" and "for girls", they should at least be equal in functionality and the messages that they promote. Shouldn't kids of all genders have the option to throw on clothes that allow them full movement to play, or to get all dolled up just for the sake of looking nice? Shouldn't we teach all kids that they can achieve whatever they want, that they can be leaders, but that they should stay humble and consider others no matter where they end up in life?Explore more on these topics: