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We want our girls to think highly of themselves, but not so highly that they inadvertently undermine themselves. Case in point, Forever 21’s “I’m Too Pretty to Do Math” magnet, that -- following the uproar over it -- is no longer available online.
It's not the first time this slogan has appeared on something marketed to young girls, and while we like the idea of all girls thinking they're pretty, we can't get behind the idea that "being pretty" would keep her from doing something -- especially math, given how a recent study showed that as early as second grade, girls begin to view the subject as better suited for boys.
Here’s what some members of the iVillage community posted on Facebook about this controversy-attracting magnet. Some saw it as detrimental to girls’ self-esteem, while others saw it as harmless fun. Chime in with what you think below.
“Epic FAIL! I hate it! Fun -- yes. Harmless -- NO! I teach my daughters that being pretty is great and being smart is AWESOME. I tell them beauty plus brains is powerful! I don't ever want them to play the dumb card. Lame!” -- Dena Lachance Piquette
“Should say ‘I'm too pretty NOT to do math.’" -- Patricia Timmermans
“As a mother of a 15-year-old, habitual Forever 21 shopper, I am appalled and disgusted. Detrimental, for sure!!” -- Erika Peters
“It's a harmless joke on a magnet. If you want your kids to grow up smart and beautiful on the inside then YOU need to teach them that at home. If they are learning their self-esteem from a magnet, then they have bigger issues then not doing math. Parents need to start taking responsibility of what their young girls wear and believe, stop blaming the stores and designers, the people down the street, movies, video games, TV, Internet, etc etc.” -- Samantha Lopez
“Do we always have to be serious? It's funny.” Tammy Middlecamp
“I don't think it’s too harmful and meant as a joke. If girls determine their worth by a sticker than someone wasn't doing their job while raising their child.” -- Natalie Wood
