Let Kids Focus On What They Like, Instead Of The Gender It Is For
Brittany McCabe
New Bill To Stop Gender-Based Organization In Large Retailers:
Let Kids Focus On What They Like, Rather Than What Gender It Is For
There is a lot of talk about shifting to a more gender-neutral world, from bathrooms to vocabulary, and now to store organization. These gender-neutral shifts come at somewhat a polarizing effect on people. Many welcome the change with an open mind and an open heart, while others are having a hard time understanding the reasons and therefore jump to negative conclusions. Later this month, bill AB2826 will be considered by the California Assembly, which will penalize large retailers of 500 or more employees for separating all children’s items by gender. This bill hopes to omit gender-specific organizing of items in stores. Why is a bill like this up for consideration? What is it aiming to achieve by not having merchandise separated by gender?
Let Kids Be Kids:
Assemblymen Evan Low was inspired by an eight-year-old child after she asked why a store should be able to determine what is a girl’s shirt or a girl’s toy. This sunk into democratic assemblyman and he then realized kids should focus on being kids and focus on self-expression, rather than being so hung up on gender. Bill AB2826 will have all children’s merchandise, clothing, and toys combined instead of being separated by what typically is considered boys or girls. Low mentions, by having children’s items separated by gender this can incorrectly imply that it is inappropriate to like, use, or buy if it is intended for another gender. Having this implication may cause a harmful stigma that can be easily avoided by combining children’s items.
Opportunities Help Develop Well-Rounded Kids:
As a child development specialist and CEO of The Alpha Kids, the argument that children should focus on self-expression and being a kid is a good one. Kids need to build their self-confidence, creativity, and self-love. When children can focus more on having fun and picking items, they like without a stigmatizing label attached to it, this will help children to be more well-rounded and have opportunities that they may not have been exposed to with a segregated store. Target stores have been a pioneer in this thinking. Back in 2015, they made efforts to phase out gender-based labeling to help promote a better balance. What are your thoughts on this? Are you nervous that your child may start dressing or acting as the opposite gender? Do you think having the items connected will bring a more convenient shopping experience for you and your family? Do you find this bill helpful to children and their development by providing equal opportunity and choices in their clothing, toys, and merchandise? Please share your thoughts!
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