In a baffling move, Old Navy released a children’s t-shirt that inadvertently discouraged girls from pursuing careers in the arts, suggesting they should aim for more conventional roles like astronaut or president instead. The intention behind the shirt might have been to inspire ambition, but the execution fell woefully short. As parents, we should be encouraging our little ones to explore all their passions—including art.
Social media quickly erupted with discontent. Users were right to point out the irony: who do you think designs your clothing, Old Navy? The backlash prompted the company to pull the shirt from its shelves almost immediately. An Old Navy spokesperson issued a statement to ArtNet News expressing regret over the misunderstanding, assuring that their collection features a variety of designs aimed at nurturing diverse aspirations. They emphasized that the decision to discontinue the shirt was influenced by customer feedback.
This isn’t the first time Old Navy has found itself in hot water. Back in 2014, the company faced a lawsuit over allegations of sexism and size discrimination for charging more for plus-size women’s jeans than for men’s. Earlier this year, psychologists criticized the brand for its “boyfriend” jeans aimed at young children, claiming it sexualized young girls.
While online outrage can sometimes feel excessive, in this case, Old Navy genuinely missed the mark. The arts are a valid and fulfilling career path, and it’s essential for young girls to know that they can be anything they aspire to be, including artists. You may also find it interesting to read about different aspects of parenthood in our other post here.
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In summary, while Old Navy’s intentions might have been to empower girls to aim high, discouraging artistic ambitions was an ill-advised misstep. Let’s ensure our children know that all dreams are valid, whether they involve a canvas or the cosmos.
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