This is a current Hallmark display at my local Walmart, 2011. What does it mean to celebrate a birthday when you are a boy, and what does it mean to celebrate a birthday when you are a girl? What are the design elements that influence our expectations of gender?
Boys: Blue (Aqua, really!) Cars, Superheros, Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Space, Rockets, "Science."
Technology, heroes, power.
Sports, self esteem based on personal acheivement and skill.
Girls: Pink, pop stars, Disney characters like Tinkerbell and Minney Mouse.
Flowers, swirlies, and uh ... more flowers.
Fashion, pop stars, coyness.
Self esteem based on appearance and popularity.
Do these concepts follow us into adulthood?
Great post! This drives me nuts when shopping for cards.
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