Target to Remove Gender Based Labeling

[alaskanseminole]

I think all humans should be identified in the following manner:

WP (with penis)
WOP (w/o penis)
H (Hybrid--both or neither)

Screw this male/female nonsense!

LINK: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/08/09/target-remove-gender-based-labeling/31375863/

Kids visiting Target will no longer have to consider their gender while shopping.

The retailer announced Friday it will start removing gender-based labeling in several departments — including toys, bedding and entertainment — around the store. The company says the decision comes after feedback and suggestions from customers.

"As guests have pointed out, in some departments like toys, home or entertainment, suggesting products by gender is unnecessary," reads a statement from Target. "We heard you, and we agree. Right now, our teams are working across the store to identify areas where we can phase out gender-based signage to help strike a better balance."

The decision will change elements beyond just the signage in these departments. In the children's toys area of the store, Target plans to remove pink, blue, yellow and green paper on the back of the walls to eliminate references or suggestions based on gender.

The company said Target uses signs and displays to make it easier for guests to navigate the store and shop more efficiently. However, gender-based signs in certain areas was no longer necessary.

"We never want guests or their families to feel frustrated or limited by the way things are presented," the statement said.

The move comes after Abi Bechtel, a mother from Ohio, tweeted a photo in June of gender-based signage at a Green, Ohio, Target that sparked a conversation on gender-based signs in the retail stores.

"It stood out to me as a good example of the way our culture tends to view boys and men as the default, normal option and girls and women as the specialized exception," Bechtel told CNN in June.

Customers and Facebook users expressed their views on the statement, signaling satisfaction and disappointment with the retail store.

"This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard," wrote John Wilson. "A boy is a boy and a girl is a girl…and products are specifically made for each."

"Target is not saying that genders don't exist," wrote Amy Severtsen Stanwood. "They are simply recognizing that toys and bedding do not have genders. Mingling superhero action figures with other dolls isn't going to cause children to suddenly question who/what they are."

 

[ericram]

Are you outraged? If so I really don't see the problem.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

I will be outraged until they remove gender from the dressing rooms, it is disgusting that I get weird looks when I poke around the women's panties and try to go into the female stalls with them.

 

[montconole]

Some high schools in Maryland have gender neutral bathrooms so Target abandoning boys/girls labels isn't shocking.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

This article is like one of Trad's misleading headline posts. Makes it sound like they are combining the clothing departments, which doesn't appear to be the case. It IS silly to have "Building Sets" and "Girls' Building Sets" labeled separately.

 

[kc78]

It is silly, but I would blame that more at the feet of Lego as they actually created standard building sets that are gender neutral and then gender specific ones as if girls can only take an interest in building if its pink with mascara on the lego horse.

 

[Bubbz]

This article is like one of Trad's misleading headline posts. Makes it sound like they are combining the clothing departments, which doesn't appear to be the case. It IS silly to have "Building Sets" and "Girls' Building Sets" labeled separately.

Agreed. As a dad to an awesome 4 year-old girl I constantly have to tell her it's ok to look at building sets, science and sports stuff even something like Star Wars stuff because she says they're in the boys section.

Same with colors, the idea that she can't like things that are blue or other bold colors is something I constantly have to correct.

 

[MathisJones]

Agreed. As a dad to an awesome 4 year-old girl I constantly have to tell her it's ok to look at building sets, science and sports stuff even something like Star Wars stuff because she says they're in the boys section.

Same with colors, the idea that she can't like things that are blue or other bold colors is something I constantly have to correct.

I'm not a parent yet, but I plan to be very neutral with color schemes so my kids choose what they like as opposed to being told what to like.

 

[West Duval Nole]

Not labeling toys for boys or girls is one thing. And actually I don't recall toys being labeled as such. Usually they are labeled by theme. Whether it be dolls, cars action figures, etc.

When they go to removing gender assignment from clothing, that would be ridiculous. And having bathrooms that have multiple stalls to not be gender based would be asking for trouble also.

 

[Bartdog]

I can remember going to Target not too long ago and getting some throwback "vintage" band tshirts for my daughter. Had to buy them in the boys section but she didn't really care.

 

[Nole Lou]

It is silly, but I would blame that more at the feet of Lego as they actually created standard building sets that are gender neutral and then gender specific ones as if girls can only take an interest in building if its pink with mascara on the lego horse.

As the daughter of two girls, who happened to have never taken any interest in Legos anyway, the fact that Lego has a "girls line" is abhorrent to me.

 

[Nolebra Kai]

Men and women are different. Trying to act like they are not is beyond stupid.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

As the daughter of two girls, who happened to have never taken any interest in Legos anyway, the fact that Lego has a "girls line" is abhorrent to me.

Are you adopted? I always thought you were a dude.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Are you outraged? If so I really don't see the problem.

Nope.

But the interzweb sure as hell is. LOL

 

[alaskanseminole]

My son's favorite things (he's 2):

1. Construction Machines
2. Flowers
3. Monster Trucks
4. Butterflies.

 

[FSUTribe76]

As the daughter of two girls, who happened to have never taken any interest in Legos anyway, the fact that Lego has a "girls line" is abhorrent to me.

Champagne drinking jacuzzi lego chick disagrees.

 

[scooterpea]

I was in Target last week with my 5 year old twin boys. They refused to go down the pink aisle because it was all "girls" toys. I absolutely can see where this affects little minds on both sides.

 

[jamnolfin]

I always wanted to play with Barbie, what guy didn't

 

[sunset30a]

Men and women are different, trying to act like they are not is beyond stupid.

And its just a matter of time before gender based clothing is done away with as well. These things happen in steps, not all at once.

 

[Bubbz]

Men and women are different, trying to act like they are not is beyond stupid.

My daughter is going to decide how shes different, not be told how.

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

Men and women are different, trying to act like they are not is beyond stupid.

The brainwashing is almost complete. It's all part of the current "Mediation Mindset." Everything gets compromised, even the most extreme positions. Nothing is off-limits. "Absurd" is entitled to the same consideration as "brilliant." There are no wrong answers. Everyone gets a ribbon.

 

[grady327]

If I had to guess I'd say this is more of a gay community olive branch. Anyone else agree? I personally think the clothes should be labeled different. Girls pants are totally different than guys. If a girl wants boy pants then go get a pair. But I want to make sure I'm buying clothes that fit a dude.

 

[goldmom]

So is the area now going to be called "children's clothing" or just KIDS?
Gosh that's SO original. Big whoop. Guess what - go in Costco. See a concerted effort to differentiate on those big tables of clothes for children? Target is looking for publicity.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Folks, the article says nothing about doing away with separate clothing departments for boys and girls.

 

[West Duval Nole]

My daughter is going to decide how shes different, not be told how.

So she will not learn biology? There are physical differences that she cannot decide on that she was born with.

I get that she should be able to choose her own toys and they should not be labeled boys or girls. But when she gets to a school with locker rooms, if she chooses to go in the boys locker room and get dressed and shower, you will allow that and think the school should to?

Some things makes sense to not be gender labeled, but other things it does despite what political correctness says.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

The brainwashing is almost complete. It's all part of the current "Mediation Mindset." Everything gets compromised, even the most extreme positions. Nothing is off-limits. "Absurd" is entitled to the same consideration as "brilliant." There are no wrong answers. Everyone gets a ribbon.

Amen. If only Bruce Jenner hadn't shopped at Target.

 

[MIKE_G]

Folks, the article says nothing about doing away with separate clothing departments for boys and girls.

Don't stop them, they're on a roll.

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

So is the area now going to be called "children's clothing" or just KIDS?
Gosh that's SO original. Big whoop. Guess what - go in Costco. See a concerted effort to differentiate on those big tables of clothes for children? Target is looking for publicity.

Spot damn-on. They are making a very public statement that "we are part of the all-inclusive crowd.....absolutely no boundaries here."

 

[Nole Lou]

Are you adopted? I always thought you were a dude.

LOL...that was then, this is a new age, I can be whatever I want.

Obviously a typo...FATHER of two girls.

 

[Bubbz]

So she will not learn biology? There are physical differences that she cannot decide on that she was born with.

I get that she should be able to choose her own toys and they should not be labeled boys or girls. But when she gets to a school with locker rooms, if she chooses to go in the boys locker room and get dressed and shower, you will allow that and think the school should to?

Some things makes sense to not be gender labeled, but other things it does despite what political correctness says.

No, if it sounded like that it was a mistake.

I'm talking about her interests and toy/color options being selected for her because of her gender. I'm not at all talking about her sexuality later on in life or anything like that.

I don't think I'm articulating my position well - I'll take another swing after work.

 

[tommynole3476]

I don't think I'm articulating my position well - I'll take another swing after work.

I think you did just fine, and I completely agree.

 

[Fijimn]

Thanks a lot, Obama.

/thread

 

[jeffy]

I always wanted to play with Barbie, what guy didn't

Now they have the texturing that maxed it look like she's wearing underpants. So taking Barbie's clothes off just isn't the same.

 

[LT4PLY]

found this and a response online. no change to clothes and yes, the gender specific toy section was stupid. This was literally a problem created by Target by saying "Girls building sets" and just "Building sets" when it was never necessary and stupid to begin with.

..... I’m not even addressing the toy thing. What about the clothes section. Is there one section. I guess there will be a kids section, and an adult section for adults. Bras and jock straps same isle.

We understand your concern. The changes only apply to the two areas of the store where we previously had specific references to gender. We are not making any changes to our Mens’, Womens’, Boys’, Girls’, or Baby sections. For more details on our changes please read this: https://corporate.target.com/article/2015/08/gender-based-signs-corporate


Read more at http://m.snopes.com/2015/08/10/target-removing-gender-labels/#f2m4Hqf2TSyKiXyd.99

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

found this and a response online. no change to clothes and yes, the gender specific toy section was stupid. This was literally a problem created by Target by saying "Girls building sets" and just "Building sets" when it was never necessary and stupid to begin with.


We understand your concern. The changes only apply to the two areas of the store where we previously had specific references to gender. We are not making any changes to our Mens’, Womens’, Boys’, Girls’, or Baby sections. For more details on our changes please read this: https://corporate.target.com/article/2015/08/gender-based-signs-corporate


Read more at http://m.snopes.com/2015/08/10/target-removing-gender-labels/#f2m4Hqf2TSyKiXyd.99

Sometimes the slippery slope just ain't that slippery.

 

[BarryB1081]

As the daughter of two girls, who happened to have never taken any interest in Legos anyway, the fact that Lego has a "girls line" is abhorrent to me.

What?

 

[West Duval Nole]

Sometimes the slippery slope just ain't that slippery.

Sounds like Target created their own slippery slope and are now correcting it.

I had never even noticed the gender specific toy signs.The signs I usually saw were genre based. So it was say Dolls, GI Joe, Lego's, board games, Transformers, etc. I guess I didn't pay much attention to their toy department signs.

 

[kc78]

Did you guys read the article. They said toys and bedding were having this removed, not clothing.

 

[BarryB1081]

See, like I told you in the Target self -check out line thread, this French company is trying to impose its socialistic agenda on America and turn us all into a homogeneous blob of humanity. No wonder we had to save their asses from German occupation.

Go.

 

[Nole Lou]

What?

Sorry, I could have been more explicit.

So more boys like legos than girls. I'm not naïve enough to think that there aren't some intrinsic differences between the genders in what interests them on a grand scale. But some girls like legos, and some parents, I would think most parents, would encourage their daughters.

Let's say it's only 15% of lego users are girls. By coming out with the "girls legos" with kitchens and houses, essentially more dolls for girls, you've now made that minority of girls that do like Legos feel weird and not normal. Many of them are going to then shift to the girls versions, or drop legos altogether if they find the girls versions boring. Every girl that switches from building buildings and ships and cars to building cakes with Legos is unfortunate.

I'm sure Lego positions it as a way to get more girls interested, but there were other ways to do that. Having more sets like Harry Potter that appeal to girls equally is one way, having more animal related things like zoos and farms would likely do the same without being gender specific.

It's really just cashing in a market that's under monetized, and I get that, it's business. But it's crappy to sell out the small number of girls who play with the real Legos to cash in with the girls that want to play with dolls. It's not like Legos is struggling.

I just mentioned that my daughters weren't interested to make the point that it isn't something that affected me personally...my girls weren't interested in Legos of any kind anyway. But I just think it is lousy.

But then again, I'm one of the few that doesn't worship at the altar of Legos anyway. They're overpriced, and they're not about building or creativity much anyway anymore. They're just another, albeit a very expensive, thing to collect like action figures or beanie babies. I was very disappointed when my son got to that age, and the Lego sets he was building, you open them up and 75% of the pieces were things that were unique to whatever Star Wars or Hobbit scene were designed. You could have 3-4 $70 sets and not have the combined pieces to build a freaking pickup truck. They do have one Creator line that we would buy from, with pieces that could form several different planes, trucks, etc, and had the basics to build pretty much anything you wanted to try, like when I was a kid. But Legos has already reconditioned kids away from that. It's now about building a $60 replica X-wing fighter with the instructions and pieces provided, not about building what you imagine.