| Comments |
Thanks for the effort to put together a list like this as I have just started to get organised for the ethical Christmas gift shopping saga. Will let you know if I come across any other sites to add to the list.
After a cursory squiz through the websites for kids gifts though, I have concerns that some of those listed may not be quite so great in regards to gender stereo-typing, which I see as part of the sexist/sexualisation construct.
While there are many positives about those websites I visited, there are a couple of "fails" about which I think readers should be made aware. I realise it is unrealistic to expect perfect feminist ware from every retailer soaking in the partiarchy but I do expect that those who garner a recommendation from Spinifex Press to be held to greater account.
Every Little Girl
Think robots, bicycles, the colour red, and navy and white stripes are "For the Boys" only.
Learning House
Imaginative, fantasy and constructive |
| Posted by Naomi Carey | 17 Nov 2011 |
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(just realised that the rest of my comment was missing)
Learning House
Almost all of the products which included a photo/picture of a child were heavily gendered (ie knitting is for girls, hammering for boys, constructive play for boys, passive play for girls, fairies for girls, explorers/pirates for boys).
Also sell the highly offensive "golly" dolls. |
| Posted by Naomi Carey | 17 Nov 2011 |
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| Thank you so much for the work you did putting this list together. I had not heard of many of these retailers but am now keen to find out more about them. We will be sharing this list widely. Thanks again! - Melinda Liszewski |
| Posted by Collective Shout | 18 Nov 2011 |
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| Naomi, thanks for your comments. I do agree that it's difficult to get all of these right. Agree the golly dolls are offensive. |
| Posted by Susan_Hawthorne | 18 Nov 2011 |
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| I bought my daughter a subscription to New Moon Girls magazine, and we're very happy with it. Feminist, the girls can add creative content, they think critically about our culture, and can chat online in a safe environment. Excellent! |
| Posted by Catherine | 18 Nov 2011 |
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| Also eco-friendly Biome, and handmade, fairtrade, eco at Blue Caravan |
| Posted by Gette | 18 Nov 2011 |
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| Sorry! Just noticed Biome is already on the list |
| Posted by gette | 18 Nov 2011 |
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Windmill Educational - fantastic toys and good gender representation in their catalogues. http://www.windmill.net.au/
Eternal Creation - beautiful and ethical clothing for baby to adult http://www.eternalcreation.com/ |
| Posted by Nicole Jameson | 20 Nov 2011 |
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As per the suggestions from Naomi, Gettie & Nicole, some shops have now been removed and others added.
Thanks very much! |
| Posted by Maralann | 20 Nov 2011 |
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Wonderful list! I especially like the Biome website - such wonderful gift ideas!
But I disagree with Naomi Carey's comments about 'Every Little Girl'. I see little girls modelling robot and dinosaur t-shirts, and nowhere does the website say "For the Boys" only (that 'only' was your interpretation, but I don't read it that way at all!). |
| Posted by Bianca | 21 Nov 2011 |
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Kate here from Every Little Girl. What a great blog idea and so glad I found out about it! I feel strongly against the far too early sexualisation of children and try hard to stock playful and colourful fair trade and ethically made items for children. I purposefully choose a few ranges of unisex clothing for children this summer. Little Chook organic & fair trade tees feature robots, dinosaurs, beetle and dogs worn by both girls and boys. My daughters are wearing them in the photos. They are listed in both girls and boys clothing categories. The Boys&Girls organic cotton unisex range with stripes and playful colours are listed in both the boys and girls clothing range.
This year I introduced a range of male dolls to our multicultural doll range to help break down gender stereotypes about boys playing with dolls.
I have more work to do on sourcing more unisex preloved clothing and have been working on being more conscious about language used. Let's hope the list keeps g |
| Posted by EveryLittleGirl | 22 Nov 2011 |
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Would you be able to put the states where these places are, and if they have online shopping. Also The New Internationalist could be added to the list for organic and traffik free items. They also publish a range of books, diaries and calendars. They cover current affairs and popular reference complemented by world food, photography, fiction and alternative gift books. Their aim is for all publications to be easy-to-read, informal and informative to further their mission for global justice.
There is a shop in Adelaide city - http://www.newint.com.au/shop/index.htm |
| Posted by Susan Lehmann | 23 Nov 2011 |
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| Mukti Botanicals makes a fantastic body and skin care range that is certified organic and is eco-friendly packaged, and owned and produced in Australia. The products smell great and are just divine. |
| Posted by Rebecca | 27 Nov 2011 |
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Perfect Potion are another Australian company who make wonderful body and skin care products for the whole family, which are aromatherapy-oriented, cruelty-free, organically produced and beautifully presented and packaged. I have been buying them for years.
http://www.perfectpotion.com.au/Default.aspx |
| Posted by Lisa | 01 Dec 2011 |
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| @ Rebecca & Susan Lehmann - thanks very much, products have been added! |
| Posted by Maralann | 01 Dec 2011 |
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| Positively Organic Skincare make organic skincare for men and women from certified organic ingredients. Each product is Accredited Cruelty Free and vegan friendly. They are Australian owned and made from a solar powered studio in South East QLD. Check out their range www.positivelyorganicskincare.com.au |
| Posted by julie boundy | 25 Jun 2016 |
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