Pinkstinks facts for kids
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| Formation | 2008 |
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| Type | Campaign |
| Headquarters | London |
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Founders
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Emma Moore and Abi Moore |
Pinkstinks is a group that started in London in May 2008. It was founded by twin sisters Emma Moore and Abi Moore. Their main goal is to make people aware of how gender stereotyping can affect children.
Pinkstinks believes that when companies market products specifically for boys or girls, it can limit what children think they can do. For example, they argue that too many "girly" products might make girls feel they can't have big dreams later on.
What Pinkstinks Does
Pinkstinks works to encourage companies to offer toys and products that are not just for one gender. They have a list of "Pinkstinks Approved" companies. These companies provide toys and learning tools that any child can enjoy.
In 2009, the group asked parents to avoid stores that sold only pink toys and gifts. Pinkstinks also spoke out against Marks and Spencer in 2010. They criticized the store for calling underwear for six-year-old girls "bra tops."
Big stores like John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, and Sainsbury's have listened to Pinkstinks. They removed "girls" labels from some pink Playmobil sets. They also took "boys" labels off science kits. Now, children's nurse and doctor outfits often have labels that don't mention a specific gender.
Awards and Support
The founders of Pinkstinks, Abi and Emma Moore, have received awards for their work. In 2009, they won an award from the Sheila McKechnie Foundation. Pinkstinks also won the Mumsnet Award in 2012 for helping children feel good about themselves.
Many important people have supported Pinkstinks. In 2009, Bridget Prentice, a government minister, backed their idea to avoid gender-specific Christmas gifts. She said it helps girls aim for any job, not just "pretty" ones.
Lady Morgan, another minister, spoke in the UK Parliament. She said it's important for girls to play with trucks and trains. She also said children should wear any color they like, without being told what to do by their toys.
Ed Mayo, an author and former government adviser, also supports Pinkstinks. He said that separating toys by color can put boys and girls on different paths. He believes one path often leads to better pay and status, and the other does not. Mayo also pointed out that before World War II, pink was often for boys, and blue was for girls. He feels that walking into a toy store today can make it seem like feminism never happened.
Pinkstinks Around the World
Pinkstinks has gained attention in other countries too. In 2012, a similar group was started in Germany. It is based in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel.
See also
- Feminism in the United Kingdom
- Gendered associations of pink and blue
- Gender neutrality
- Gender polarization
- Gender stereotypes
- Lego Friends § Controversy
- Let Books Be Books
- Let Girls Be Girls
- Let Toys Be Toys
