This Mum's Letter Perfectly Sums Up The Problem With Gender Stereotyping Kids' Clothes

    "My daughter was very confused. Why were there no cool science shirts for girls?"

    Kelly Oakes
    by Kelly Oakes

    BuzzFeed Staff, UK

    Lisa Ryder was looking through a Lands' End clothing catalogue with her daughter when they noticed something was up.

    landsend.co.uk
    landsend.co.uk

    The boys section had some science-themed t-shirts that Ryder's daughter loved. But when they flipped through to find the equivalent shirts in girls' sizes, there were none.

    Dear Lands' End,My nine year old daughter loves science; She especially enjoys learning about ocean life and outer space. She has read more books on sharks than I ever knew existed, follows NASA news, and hopes to be an astronaut one day.So you can imagine her reaction when she saw your company's science-themed t-shirt designs for boys featured on page 26 of your latest catalog. The boys' options include realistic images of planets and our solar system, labeled diagrams of sharks and dinosaurs, and a "NASA Crew" tee design that she immediately declared to be "the coolest shirt ever."We immediately flipped forward in your catalog to find the equivalent shirts in girls' sizes. But when we got to the available t-shirt designs for girls on page 56, instead of science-themed art, we were treated to sparkly tees with rhinestones, non-realistic looking stars, and a design featuring a dog dressed like a princess and wearing a tutu.My daughter was very confused. Lots of her friends that are girls love science, too. Why were there no cool science shirts for girls?So, Lands' End corporate, how should I respond to my daughter's question? In 2014, why are you selling "mighty" tees for boys and "adorable" tees for girls? (Descriptions taken straight from your marketing copy.)My daughter is mighty and she loves science. And until you recognize that it's not only boys that can fit that description, I'm afraid our family will no longer be shopping in your stores.Sincerely,Lisa Ryder

    The boys' t-shirts on offer on the company's website currently include a Mars rover, a Tyrannosaurus rex and a glow-in-the-dark moon.

    landsend.co.uk
    landsend.co.uk
    landsend.co.uk

    While the best girls can hope for is a sequined Saturn and a pair of flamingos.

    landsend.co.uk
    landsend.co.uk
    Thank you for your honest feedback – we sincerely appreciate it. Customer feedback has, and will continue to be, of the utmost importance to us. Please be assured that we are currently sharing your comments with our Catalog Creative and Kids Design Teams.