My son's preschool (University model lab where I work) has a policy of NO superheros. No backpacks, lunch boxes, or clothing with superheros on them. No superhero play.
The handbook rationale says Superheros don't use "good problem solving skills". I think they are trying to get around the idea of violence/fighting/aggression. Which I can applaud.
BUT.... little girls have lunchboxes with Cinderella, Barbie, even Bratz Dolls. They wear princess logo t-shirts. The school even has a dress up chest with princess dresses and tiaras!
The preschool just sent out a mass e-mail reminding parents kids were not to have or wear anything Superhero. I wrote back to the entire list serv saying "How about we add Princesses to the policy also? Or simply changing the policy to no licensed characters."
You would think I was asking for Andrea Dworken to be the assistant teacher. No one responded to the e-mail, but evidently dozens of moms have called preschool to say that it is ridiculous, girls will be girls, and there is nothing wrong with princess play. We are now having a school meeting about it - in which people who "are afraid to voice their opinion may send it in a word document and the director will make sure their opinions are represented" (because evidently a lot of the people who like princesses are afraid to speak up in a meeting... maybe some man will rescue them though, and they won't have to speak, LOL).
What you do think?
My point is, what is fair for one gender should be extended to both. It's hard to tell a child "superhero lunchboxes are not allowed" when a girl child has a Barbie lunchbox.
It's hard for me to reason that using beauty for problem solving is any better than using physical power for problem solving... (the girls often play Sleeping Beauty - I'm dead, someone needs to kiss me and bring me back to life, I'm so pretty in my coma.... HAHA)
The handbook rationale says Superheros don't use "good problem solving skills". I think they are trying to get around the idea of violence/fighting/aggression. Which I can applaud.
BUT.... little girls have lunchboxes with Cinderella, Barbie, even Bratz Dolls. They wear princess logo t-shirts. The school even has a dress up chest with princess dresses and tiaras!
The preschool just sent out a mass e-mail reminding parents kids were not to have or wear anything Superhero. I wrote back to the entire list serv saying "How about we add Princesses to the policy also? Or simply changing the policy to no licensed characters."
You would think I was asking for Andrea Dworken to be the assistant teacher. No one responded to the e-mail, but evidently dozens of moms have called preschool to say that it is ridiculous, girls will be girls, and there is nothing wrong with princess play. We are now having a school meeting about it - in which people who "are afraid to voice their opinion may send it in a word document and the director will make sure their opinions are represented" (because evidently a lot of the people who like princesses are afraid to speak up in a meeting... maybe some man will rescue them though, and they won't have to speak, LOL).
What you do think?
My point is, what is fair for one gender should be extended to both. It's hard to tell a child "superhero lunchboxes are not allowed" when a girl child has a Barbie lunchbox.
It's hard for me to reason that using beauty for problem solving is any better than using physical power for problem solving... (the girls often play Sleeping Beauty - I'm dead, someone needs to kiss me and bring me back to life, I'm so pretty in my coma.... HAHA)
) then I don't think it should be banned.
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