This photo was taken at the New York University bookstore in 2015. Two infant onesies, one designed for baby girls and one for baby boys, were sold side-by-side; the girls’ onesie said “I hate my thighs” while the boys’ onesie declared “I’m super.” After controversy ensued when people associated with NYU used social media to bring attention to the disparity between the two onesies, the items were removed from the bookstore shelves.

discussion

What does the girls’ onesie focus on? The boys’ onesie?

How do we know that one is for boys and one is for girls? What do each of these onesies tell us about how masculinity and femininity are viewed?

Based on the controversy, why does the difference between the two onesies matter? In other words, babies themselves can’t read, so why is it important to not sell girls’ clothes that say things such as “I hate my thighs” when boys’ clothes say “I’m super”?

Can you think of other clothing examples that perpetuate norms tied to particular kinds of bodies?