I took these two photos of pacifiers for sale at a Babies-R-Us in upstate New York:
I hate the way we start labeling girls at a young age as high-maintenance divas who are vain, boy-crazy, and spend a lot of money. And we now start socializing infants into gendered stereotypes that portray girls in ways that, though superficially humorous, also imply that we expect girls and women to be self-centered, ridiculous people. For other examples of these types of messages, see here, here, and here.
NEW: Blanca M. took a picture of this sign for Little Divas, a store here in Vegas that provides a great example of the association between little girls and diva-hood:
Thanks, Blanca!
Gwen Sharp is an associate professor of sociology at Nevada State College. You can follow her on Twitter at @gwensharpnv.
Comments 5
visual sociologist — August 5, 2008
Wow, these are incredible images.
Louisa — August 6, 2008
I got a pacifier as a baby shower gift that says "Drama Princess."
fred — August 17, 2008
perhaps its a joke for the parents...small children DO act like divas after all.
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