Update – fill in my sexism against men survey here:
You’ve all heard of the feminist PC attacks on Nursery Rhymes. You might not have noticed a spate of overtly sexist nursery rhymes aimed at the guys. (This is a continuation of my post on Sexism against men). I came across this one for example – published by Marks and Spencer, (First Readers Series). The 3 little pigs – 2 brothers and a sister. The brothers screw up by building their houses out of straw, and the sister builds hers out of bricks. While the brothers are cowering in a corner, the sister then cooks up cauldron under the chimney. The big bad wolf is also male.
“Once upon a time there were three
little pigs who lived in the woods
There were two *brothers* and a *sister*
A big bad wolf [Male] lived in the woods
….
The third little pig walked on.
*She* saw a pile of bricks.
‘I’ll build a strong house with
bricks,’ said the third little pig…
…
*Her* brothers laughed at *her* for working so
hard. …
The very next day the big bad wolf
called at the house of straw. *He* was
dressed as an old woman
The first two little pigs were very scared. But the third little pig made a big fire under the chimney. Then *she* put a big pot of water on the fire….
Etc….”
Then there’s this one: the paper bag princess.
Princess Elizabeth was planning on marrying Prince Ronald, who was practically perfect. Then along came a dragon, who destroyed her kingdom, kidnapped Ronald, and burned all her clothes so that she had no choice but to wear a paper bag. She tracked down and outwitted the dragon. She challenged the dragon to burn forests with fire and to fly around the world. The dragon completes the tasks but after flying around the world a second time becomes tired and falls asleep. Elizabeth then saves Ronald. He didn’t even thank her and told her to come back to marry him when she looked more princessy. Then Elizabeth realized what a bum Ronald was, and went off to live her own life.
Here’s another one – perhaps the worst IMO. I’ve tried reading it to my daughter with the genders switched and it feels bad…:
What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails
That’s what little boys are made of !”
What are little girls made of?
“Sugar and spice and all things nice
That’s what little girls are made of!”