[Image: Screenshot of Disney’s children’s costumes page, with the text “I AM AWESOME.” The costumes are not labelled as boys/girls and there are no models.] Source
While the screenshot on The Mary Sue isn’t inaccurate–a lot of costumes don’t feature models–the ones that do feature child models have a lot of racial diversity, but not obvious gender non-conformity, though that could also be because they are character costumes and wigs have been deployed.
[Image: Screenshot of Disney children’s costumes with children of color as Jasmine, Woody, Belle, Hook, Cinderella.
[Image: screenshot of the Disney Store front page, with “boys” and “girls” categories, as well as “babies” and “adults” labelled.]
Or, in a conversation between me and a friend on a related topic:
Friend: But, but… [without gender categories] then how will we know how to socialize them into restrictive and problematic societal roles!?
Me: Next thing you know, kids’ Halloween costumes won’t be separated by gender (even though the models probably will be) and neither will toys and then no one will know what to wear or buy!!!!?!
I was talking with my gf yesterday, about how the best princesses (in terms of active and with real speaking parts) are actually the ‘princesses’ put in movies meant for boys. The problem comes down to the fact that the market is for “Princess” which is in and of itself restrictive (unless we go Science Fiction). But Atlantis, Hercules, Treasure Planet, and even Aladdin have good female characters, even though the former three are rarely discussed.
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