Councillor slams Halfords’ pink bikes for girls (From The Argus)
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Councillor slams Halfords’ pink bikes for girls
12:30pm Friday 23rd November 2012 in News By Bill Gardner
Councillor Sven Rufus
A Green councillor has seen red over a shop’s marketing of pink bikes to girls.
Sven Rufus, who represents Hollingdean and Stanmer on Brighton and Hove City Council, said Halfords was “pigeonholing” youngsters according to their sex.
But one fellow councillor said Coun Rufus’s objection was “ridiculous”.
In its brochure the shop in Lewes Road, Brighton, offers police bikes for boys and princess bikes for girls.
The company says girls who ride its bikes will be “sweet as cupcakes surrounded by pink and sprinkles” while boys are encouraged to “charge through the jungle” on two wheels.
Coun Rufus, a self-employed ecologist, made an official complaint to the Halfords marketing department after being driven “nuts” by the adverts.
Categorising children
He said: “What inflames me as the parent of a daughter is this categorisation of children according to gender.
“It reinforces the idea for girls that there are certain jobs and roles they should be doing.
“The colour pink is a very visible manifestation of how girls are likened to fairies and princesses and things that aren’t real.
“It’s ridiculous.”
Emma Moore from campaign group Pink Stinks said the colour was “just a lazy marketing ploy”.
She said: “Halfords is a typical business when it comes to this kind of thing. I’m in complete agreement with Councillor Rufus.
“It’s absolutely vile that children aren’t being given the chance to grow up how they want from the moment they are born.
“This whole pink nonsense was never around in the 1970s – it’s completely false.”
'Designed by children'
But Dawn Barnett, Conservative councillor for Hangleton, described Coun Rufus’s complaint as “utterly stupid”.
She said: “If someone has a son who wants a pink bike then they can go and buy it, what’s the problem there?
“I think Coun Rufus should be spending his time usefully, not making ridiculous complaints.
“I always knew the Greens were losing the plot but now they appear to have gone completely mad.”
A spokeswoman from Halfords said: “Our new range of Apollo bikes has been designed with a panel of children.
"Their feedback and ideas helped Halfords in incorporating the final designs for the bikes.
“Great care has therefore been taken, ensuring the designs delight them.”
Talking point: Are pink items agressively marketed at girls?
Share your views by commenting below.
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Comments(113)
snaggybird051
says...
12:40pm Fri 23 Nov 12
uniteagainstparkingcharges
says...
12:41pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Vigilia
says...
12:42pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Little girls like pink, ponies, dolls and family pets. They always have done and always will and very many grow out of it.
Instead of idealogical obsession with the politically correct, the Councillor would be better employed in saving his taxpaying electorate the £1,000 a day they are having to find to support travellers across the City.
Surely not!
says...
12:44pm Fri 23 Nov 12
rubberflipper wrote:Well he appears to have upset a couple of morons...so he's got something going for him!
I urge everyone to select PINK from the above survey just to **** off the left-wing liberal tossers on here.
Indigatio
says...
12:49pm Fri 23 Nov 12
angrymonkey
says...
12:49pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Or is it something so silly he got his name in the paper.
wolfie
says...
12:50pm Fri 23 Nov 12
brightonian57
says...
12:59pm Fri 23 Nov 12
BornInBrighton1968
says...
12:59pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Please God, somebody get rid of this incompetent, Marxist politically-correct bunch of Green loons...
sound_man
says...
1:05pm Fri 23 Nov 12
I have two girls, who both like the colour pink. They like things that sparkle and fairies. Also, they both like playing with toy cars. As well as dolls.
Personally, I don't agree with what most of what the green policies consist of. Nor do I agree with what the tory lot put out.
Can we just let this chap have is little moan, and next time I write any letter of complaint, I'll inform those fine journalists at The Argus and see if they too would be interested in putting the story on here.
mustaphaLeeko
says...
1:09pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Does he not have a proper job to do representing the community NOT his own views which are politicising a childs bicycle.
Perhaps he should stop being such a misery!
I also agree with previous comments, he looks like he needs a wash and a shave, scruffy looking bloke.
funkyyoyo
says...
1:11pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Sally_Bee
says...
1:12pm Fri 23 Nov 12
paul76
says...
1:13pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Dealing with idiots
says...
1:18pm Fri 23 Nov 12
9 of us
says...
1:20pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Most efficacious in every case
There you go. Evidence that there is more than one way to be a girl, join a band.
Wiggsy
says...
1:31pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Its unlikely Halfords will selling ANY bikes in B&H due to the fact customers will be shopping where the parking is either free or reduced.
Algeria Touchshriek
says...
1:33pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Again this proves the snot Greens are madder than Mad Jack McMad from Madshire.
AmboGuy
says...
1:34pm Fri 23 Nov 12
TrevorA
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1:46pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Palace of Wisdom
says...
1:47pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Dealing with idiots
says...
1:53pm Fri 23 Nov 12
http://present.brigh
ton-hove.gov.uk/mgEP
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spx?bcr=1&HPID=59884
54&$LO$=1
decideformyself
says...
1:57pm Fri 23 Nov 12
This is what infuriates many parents including me. Girls are encouraged everywhere they look to have no greater ambition than being sweet and pretty and princesses whilst boys are encouraged to explore, have adventures and make discoveries. Of course there were pink bedrooms in the 70s but what there wasn't was just a pink version and a blue version of every toy and then a set of values as to what you should be attached to them.
Being on a bike is not about being as sweet as cupcakes - it is about exploring and having fun - being adventurous - charging around -in jeans and trainers and covered in mud - but not only boys are encouraged to fo this! Bikes with pink streamers attached! Even bikes are being made gentle for girls.The constant message all around for girls is be sweet, have no ambition, think about beauty not brains, and that halfords statement is both typical and hideous. Everywhere is girls being princesses and boys being pirates. There are a huge number of parents who are sick to the back teeth of this and feel that all children deserve better.
This IS all on the back of marketing - if you make two colours only and attribute behavious to them, then the girl won't want her older brothers blue scooter and vice versa. Whereas if is e.g a red scooter then the parents only have to by one scooter for their two children. Why do you think blue and pink is so prevalent nowadays and it is really hard to get other colours? This wasn't the case in the seventies - I had the same set of lego as my brothers - now there is lego friends! pink and purple lego aimed at girls where the lego world is full of hairdressers, cafes, and yes you guessed it, cupcakes! Where are the fire stations in lego friends? Where are the scientists? Where are the Policemen? They are all over in the stuff targeted at boys!
Enough is enough.
HJarrs
says...
1:59pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Whether my child likes blue clothing or pink clothing seems to be immaterial, they have no choice due to regimented colour coding by gender. If you have a princess complex then you will no doubt disagree, but I want my child to have choice and whether it is red, pink, blue, purple etc then they will have made the choice and not had it thrust upon them.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
2:01pm Fri 23 Nov 12
You were elected by the people to listen to our views and issues not your own agendas.
Did you not understand what the role of being a councillor was?
And Sven, will you be asking Halfords to remove crossbars from bikes to make them non gender specific?
No wonder you are 'self employed' as you are also self-interested.
Ballroom Blitz
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2:14pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
2:20pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Sven, get a job, employ women and show your daughter a good example of a good employer instead of opening her up to ridicule.
AmboGuy
says...
2:27pm Fri 23 Nov 12
HJarrs wrote:It's hardly the dark ages though is it? Children DO have a choice, you give them less credit than they deserve if you think that they won't pick the colour that they want to have.
I resent the the insulting colour coding for children. It is like turning the clock back to the dark ages and I worry at the above comments (though I have my sususpicion of a multi-poster at work), no wonder the country is going down the pan.
Whether my child likes blue clothing or pink clothing seems to be immaterial, they have no choice due to regimented colour coding by gender. If you have a princess complex then you will no doubt disagree, but I want my child to have choice and whether it is red, pink, blue, purple etc then they will have made the choice and not had it thrust upon them.
As for the multi-poster at work? There are so many people who live in B&H who are utterly sick of this loony Green council we have that you can't just dismiss public opinion as being only down to a few people.
decideformyself
says...
2:32pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:This was nothing to do with his role as Councillor - he makes that clear on his twitter account - it was done in a personal capacity, but the Argus has its own agenda and likes to turn everything into a political slanging match and make it seem like he was doing it as a councillor, especially by getting a quote from another Councillor. Its a shame because the majority of posts aren't about the topic so much as just bashing the Green party in general as a result.
Greens STOP dictating to us how to lead our lives and stop dabbling in irrelevancies
You were elected by the people to listen to our views and issues not your own agendas.
Did you not understand what the role of being a councillor was?
And Sven, will you be asking Halfords to remove crossbars from bikes to make them non gender specific?
No wonder you are 'self employed' as you are also self-interested.
HJarrs
says...
2:32pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Next will be telling us that your daughter should have the vote at 18 and equal rights and opportunities.
AmboGuy
says...
2:39pm Fri 23 Nov 12
HJarrs wrote:Sigh.
There you go Sven, apparently you are a bit of a nutter because you don't think large companies (whose only interest is to make money) should be sterotyping what your daughter should be doing or her outlook on life.
Next will be telling us that your daughter should have the vote at 18 and equal rights and opportunities.
Never mind, some people will just never get it will they.
Your love of The Greens blinds you to what a load of fruit loops they really are.
HJarrs
says...
2:39pm Fri 23 Nov 12
AmboGuy wrote:Yes, they have choice; girl = pink, boy = blue. How about you google boys toys and girls toys. One is a sea of pink products almost to the exclusion of everyting else. I wonder which gender that might be?
HJarrs wrote: I resent the the insulting colour coding for children. It is like turning the clock back to the dark ages and I worry at the above comments (though I have my sususpicion of a multi-poster at work), no wonder the country is going down the pan. Whether my child likes blue clothing or pink clothing seems to be immaterial, they have no choice due to regimented colour coding by gender. If you have a princess complex then you will no doubt disagree, but I want my child to have choice and whether it is red, pink, blue, purple etc then they will have made the choice and not had it thrust upon them.It's hardly the dark ages though is it? Children DO have a choice, you give them less credit than they deserve if you think that they won't pick the colour that they want to have. As for the multi-poster at work? There are so many people who live in B&H who are utterly sick of this loony Green council we have that you can't just dismiss public opinion as being only down to a few people.
And since when did the Argus comments board represent public opinion?
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
2:53pm Fri 23 Nov 12
It's like talking to a brick wall.
And if you lot think that the colour of bikes and gender stereotyping are what is holding women back in the workplace, then you need to get yourself into UK industry because it's much more complex.
decideformyself
says...
2:57pm Fri 23 Nov 12
2012/11/23/on-gender
-stereotyping/
"I wrote the letter below to Halfords, and to their credit I got a fairly positive reply (follows my letter below). They responded by saying that they get some good feedback from parents about their bike range, but that I raise some interesting points and they would ask marketing to look at the way they categorise bikes. I think this is as much as I could have hoped for, and being quite pleased with that reaction I tweeted about it. It was these tweets that attracted the attention of the Argus.
Two things for now – I’ll write at greater length about the issues of gender stereotyping and pigeonholing by marketeers in another post soon. First of all, I want to make it clear that I am grateful to Halfords for, at least so far, approaching my complaint in a positive light, and with an apparent willingness to take on board my comments. In that context, the headline of the article, that I ‘Slammed’ Halfords is really unhelpful, not to mention inaccurate. Secondly, I am particularly annoyed that the issue has been made into a party political one – I was writing in a personal capacity as an ordinary member of the public, not as a representative of the Green Party, and that was clear to the Argus before they published it, so to go to opposition Councillors was inappropriate, and completely changes the tone and significance of the story that they could have written."
jamus77
says...
3:01pm Fri 23 Nov 12
If anyone thinks girls have a natural proclivity towards the colour pink and boys have a natural proclivity towards blue they need to look at themselves in the mirror.
Likewise this appalling gender stereotyping of girls and cupcakes and boys as tough guys is unbelievably depressing in the 21st Century.
BUT there are more important things for councillors to be concerning themselves with. The political naivety of this bunch is staggering.
AmboGuy
says...
3:07pm Fri 23 Nov 12
HJarrs wrote:Well how about a girl buying a blue bike and a boy buying a pink one?
AmboGuy wrote:Yes, they have choice; girl = pink, boy = blue. How about you google boys toys and girls toys. One is a sea of pink products almost to the exclusion of everyting else. I wonder which gender that might be?
HJarrs wrote: I resent the the insulting colour coding for children. It is like turning the clock back to the dark ages and I worry at the above comments (though I have my sususpicion of a multi-poster at work), no wonder the country is going down the pan. Whether my child likes blue clothing or pink clothing seems to be immaterial, they have no choice due to regimented colour coding by gender. If you have a princess complex then you will no doubt disagree, but I want my child to have choice and whether it is red, pink, blue, purple etc then they will have made the choice and not had it thrust upon them.It's hardly the dark ages though is it? Children DO have a choice, you give them less credit than they deserve if you think that they won't pick the colour that they want to have. As for the multi-poster at work? There are so many people who live in B&H who are utterly sick of this loony Green council we have that you can't just dismiss public opinion as being only down to a few people.
And since when did the Argus comments board represent public opinion?
Your main issue with Halfords seems to be the lack of different colours available for anyone. Well if that's the case then I've noticed a sofa in DFS that's only available in cream so maybe you should be up in arms over that.
Fine if you want to blinker yourself to the fact that this is the most unpopular council B&H has had in years then that's up to you. When you've got Green council members openly lending their support to the violent SmashEDO marches then something is clearly very wrong. Their time here is numbered and as this is the only place in Britain they had a hope in hell of getting in then they will soon be back on the sidelines where they belong.
HJarrs
says...
3:09pm Fri 23 Nov 12
jamus77 wrote:But it now becomes clear that this issue wasn't raised as a councillor, though I wouldn't have a problem with that, but rather was the Argus stiring it up again!
Yet again I find myself in total agreement with a green councillor, BUT left questioning their priorities/political savvy. If anyone thinks girls have a natural proclivity towards the colour pink and boys have a natural proclivity towards blue they need to look at themselves in the mirror. Likewise this appalling gender stereotyping of girls and cupcakes and boys as tough guys is unbelievably depressing in the 21st Century. BUT there are more important things for councillors to be concerning themselves with. The political naivety of this bunch is staggering.
Is there a byelection soon as there seem to be a lot of knock the Greens articles again.
jamus77
says...
3:28pm Fri 23 Nov 12
HJarrs wrote:But he's a councillor and he talked to the press about this issue!! That's what I meant by political naivety. Sure, the Argus reporting is tendacious and misleading, but he should have been prepared for that. The Greens need to sharpen up or they'll never get any kind of foothold in British political life.
jamus77 wrote:But it now becomes clear that this issue wasn't raised as a councillor, though I wouldn't have a problem with that, but rather was the Argus stiring it up again!
Yet again I find myself in total agreement with a green councillor, BUT left questioning their priorities/political savvy. If anyone thinks girls have a natural proclivity towards the colour pink and boys have a natural proclivity towards blue they need to look at themselves in the mirror. Likewise this appalling gender stereotyping of girls and cupcakes and boys as tough guys is unbelievably depressing in the 21st Century. BUT there are more important things for councillors to be concerning themselves with. The political naivety of this bunch is staggering.
Is there a byelection soon as there seem to be a lot of knock the Greens articles again.
Freeloaders
says...
3:33pm Fri 23 Nov 12
BornInBrighton1968 wrote:Such a wonderful post.You said it all.This councillor guy just proves they are all Green loons.
Lets not worrying about trifling things in Brighton like homelessness, poverty, unemployment and drug misuse; lets concentrate on the really important issues like pink bicycles.
Please God, somebody get rid of this incompetent, Marxist politically-correct bunch of Green loons...
Andyman26
says...
4:31pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Wattsy17
says...
4:41pm Fri 23 Nov 12
george smith
says...
4:59pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Daneboy1414
says...
5:04pm Fri 23 Nov 12
I think he needs to spend his time on more useful issues being a Councillor instead of trying to make a big song & dance over nothing.
Also a hair cut wouldnt go a miss ..
Daneboy1414
says...
5:04pm Fri 23 Nov 12
I think he needs to spend his time on more useful issues being a Councillor instead of trying to make a big song & dance over nothing.
Also a hair cut wouldnt go a miss ..
Daneboy1414
says...
5:04pm Fri 23 Nov 12
I think he needs to spend his time on more useful issues being a Councillor instead of trying to make a big song & dance over nothing.
Also a hair cut wouldnt go a miss ..
ajpj
says...
5:14pm Fri 23 Nov 12
keswick
says...
5:46pm Fri 23 Nov 12
ourcoalition
says...
5:46pm Fri 23 Nov 12
keswick
says...
5:57pm Fri 23 Nov 12
decideformyself wrote:The reason that the majority of posts on here are seen as "bashing the Green Party" is simple. The majority of people in this city are fed up with them and how they are systematically destroying the city and want them out. If there was an election next week would they get back in ? The answer to that is that it is as likely as the Liberal Democrats winning the next General Election.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote: Greens STOP dictating to us how to lead our lives and stop dabbling in irrelevancies You were elected by the people to listen to our views and issues not your own agendas. Did you not understand what the role of being a councillor was? And Sven, will you be asking Halfords to remove crossbars from bikes to make them non gender specific? No wonder you are 'self employed' as you are also self-interested.This was nothing to do with his role as Councillor - he makes that clear on his twitter account - it was done in a personal capacity, but the Argus has its own agenda and likes to turn everything into a political slanging match and make it seem like he was doing it as a councillor, especially by getting a quote from another Councillor. Its a shame because the majority of posts aren't about the topic so much as just bashing the Green party in general as a result.
Algeria Touchshriek
says...
6:07pm Fri 23 Nov 12
He should have some dignity and resign. Or maybe move to a town that will appreciate him like Onesville!
Blethering idiot.
george smith
says...
6:37pm Fri 23 Nov 12
ajpj wrote:We didn't vote for them; those who did have probably graduated and are now back in the shires with ma and pa, doing a terribly interesting internship in a media company
Ha Ha .... Brighton residents,..super smooth new age progressives ... serves you **** well right, this is what you get when you'r too darn idle to think before you vote ! .. Hope they put your car parking charges up x10 & double your council tax.
birthofanorange
says...
6:37pm Fri 23 Nov 12
*slurp*
Morpheus
says...
7:20pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Sussex jim
says...
8:27pm Fri 23 Nov 12
General Dreedle
says...
11:03pm Fri 23 Nov 12
1. Thou shalt not eat meat on Monday.
2. Thou shalt not play the National lottery for tis bad for the working class who cannot be trusted to spend their money responsibly.
3. Thou shalt not burn yuletide logs at the time formerly known as Christmas.
4. Thou shalt not refer to each other as Mr or Mrs for thou art gender neutral and it is an abomination to two citizens and the Lord Phelim.
5. Thou shalt not use thy car unless thou is rich and can afford to park it.
6. Thou shalt not attend Farmers Markets for they are the crucibles of speciesism a discrimination akin to racism and homophobia (this commandment to be phased in by 2016).
7. Thou shalt not use money save for the Brighton Pound and otherwise return to the barter system for Caroline delights in clean exchanges amongst the self-rightous.
8. Thou shalt ride thy bike the wrong way down one-way streets for the laws of the road do not apply to thou and Jason shall rise up and apply his laws to his people and smite the petrolheads.
9. Thou shalt not place thy daughters on Pink Bicyles.
Algeria Touchshriek
says...
11:38pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Why oh why oh why do we have these muppets here.
Utter, utter hate filled party.
qm
says...
11:57pm Fri 23 Nov 12
Struggler
says...
2:13am Sat 24 Nov 12
Dirk Von Roden
says...
4:02am Sat 24 Nov 12
Dirk Von Roden
says...
4:28am Sat 24 Nov 12
redwing
says...
9:35am Sat 24 Nov 12
Pink has not always been associated strongly with girls. At times/other places it seems it's been the other way around. The 'red berry' theory mentioned above has been discredited as bad science, as has the one where adults were tested for their preferences and the results extrapolated to children.
If all this "pink for girls" stuff is so trivial, it's odd that so many people are jumping up and down here about it to have their say.
You can't exploit/put down a group (here it's girls/women) unless you create a false difference from the rest. That's the purpose of the 'pink for girls' message, so it's hardly a trivial matter.
qm
says...
10:01am Sat 24 Nov 12
If he is so against pink being associated with the feminine gender, how does he feel about things such as "The Pink Charity Run" in support of breast cancer awareness and treatment? Would he ban "Pink Science"?
Methinks you've opened a can of worms, are a prime candidate for a Darwin Award and need to explain yourself!!!
Oh, and in Belgium, it's pink for boys!!
den2il
says...
10:09am Sat 24 Nov 12
He should be concerned about those large white vehicles with 2 wheels on that turn up when they want during the summer in Stanmer and the surrounding area.
jub
says...
12:20pm Sat 24 Nov 12
martyt
says...
1:41pm Sat 24 Nov 12
decideformyself wrote:i got a pain in my eyes a few lines in and stopped reading your rant ,my little girls are/have gone through the pink bit my sons are in the blue bit ,but a colour is a colour you might be better off teaching you kids to treat every one the same as there is a whole rainbow of colours out there ,first and foremost kids need to be taught respect for others no matter what colour of the rainbow they are ,next you will want mummy s to give there girls away at there wedding
You are all talking about the colour - the article says he is not complaining about pink being aimed at girls it is also this CATEGORISING OF BEHAVIOUR - The company says girls who ride its bikes will be “sweet as cupcakes surrounded by pink and sprinkles” while boys are encouraged to “charge through the jungle” on two wheels.
This is what infuriates many parents including me. Girls are encouraged everywhere they look to have no greater ambition than being sweet and pretty and princesses whilst boys are encouraged to explore, have adventures and make discoveries. Of course there were pink bedrooms in the 70s but what there wasn't was just a pink version and a blue version of every toy and then a set of values as to what you should be attached to them.
Being on a bike is not about being as sweet as cupcakes - it is about exploring and having fun - being adventurous - charging around -in jeans and trainers and covered in mud - but not only boys are encouraged to fo this! Bikes with pink streamers attached! Even bikes are being made gentle for girls.The constant message all around for girls is be sweet, have no ambition, think about beauty not brains, and that halfords statement is both typical and hideous. Everywhere is girls being princesses and boys being pirates. There are a huge number of parents who are sick to the back teeth of this and feel that all children deserve better.
This IS all on the back of marketing - if you make two colours only and attribute behavious to them, then the girl won't want her older brothers blue scooter and vice versa. Whereas if is e.g a red scooter then the parents only have to by one scooter for their two children. Why do you think blue and pink is so prevalent nowadays and it is really hard to get other colours? This wasn't the case in the seventies - I had the same set of lego as my brothers - now there is lego friends! pink and purple lego aimed at girls where the lego world is full of hairdressers, cafes, and yes you guessed it, cupcakes! Where are the fire stations in lego friends? Where are the scientists? Where are the Policemen? They are all over in the stuff targeted at boys!
Enough is enough.
martyt
says...
1:48pm Sat 24 Nov 12
jamus77 wrote:all my children bake cupcakes and dont mind getting dirty in the garden ,but when they choose a colour to wear my girls head to the pinks ect and my son to blues and dark colours ,i my self own some very nice pink shirts ,that my sons think are for girls , lets all just buy white or would offend half the world ?
Yet again I find myself in total agreement with a green councillor, BUT left questioning their priorities/political savvy.
If anyone thinks girls have a natural proclivity towards the colour pink and boys have a natural proclivity towards blue they need to look at themselves in the mirror.
Likewise this appalling gender stereotyping of girls and cupcakes and boys as tough guys is unbelievably depressing in the 21st Century.
BUT there are more important things for councillors to be concerning themselves with. The political naivety of this bunch is staggering.
martyt
says...
1:51pm Sat 24 Nov 12
Roundbill
says...
5:31pm Sat 24 Nov 12
You're under siege, guys. Good luck ;-)
Roundbill
says...
5:55pm Sat 24 Nov 12
Obviously.
KarenT
says...
6:16pm Sat 24 Nov 12
Wivvy Dave
says...
6:21pm Sat 24 Nov 12
Roundbill
says...
6:44pm Sat 24 Nov 12
Wivvy Dave wrote:that's not a pony tail - the mythical Rabbit of Death from Watership Down is snuggled up on his shoulder.
Pink bikes are not for girls. So come on Mr Green, who are pony tails for?
The Baron Pepperpot
says...
8:25pm Sat 24 Nov 12
It only changed in the last century.
Which suggests a pre-conditioning element......
Still, a non-story, yet a great Argus post for the trolls
davenachfan
says...
11:39pm Sat 24 Nov 12
The colour pink is a very visible manifestation of how girls are likened to fairies and princesses and things that aren’t real."
Why have we got this obsession with pink for girls? It's big business dictating that girls need pink pushchairs, clothes and bikes. If you girl first, then have a boy, you will need to buy a completely new kit. If you had bought everything in blue or brown or red or green then you could
use it again. It's capitalism. Rise up against it.
mingusmonk
says...
12:32am Sun 25 Nov 12
Dealing with idiots wrote:You don't really believe that do you? Really? I can recognise shades of red and pink and I'm a man. I can't think of any fruit or berrys that turn fairy princess pink when ripe. Probably the daftest comment I've ever read on this site.
Sven the stupid. If he had any grey matter he would realise why females ( not all I grant you ) have a propensity towards pink. Our hunter gatherer history lives with us today as females lived or died on their ability to decide if a berry / fruit was ripe or not. Those who could recognise shades of red and pink survived. Marketing may play on that but it is not the cause. My daughter might like pink but heaven help anyone who tried to pigeon hole her.
lillylou
says...
2:49am Sun 25 Nov 12
Monterey
says...
11:03am Sun 25 Nov 12
Getreal you lot
says...
11:05am Sun 25 Nov 12
Algeria Touchshriek
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1:27pm Sun 25 Nov 12
The Baron Pepperpot
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2:09pm Sun 25 Nov 12
davenachfan wrote:This
Sven says "“It reinforces the idea for girls that there are certain jobs and roles they should be doing.
The colour pink is a very visible manifestation of how girls are likened to fairies and princesses and things that aren’t real."
Why have we got this obsession with pink for girls? It's big business dictating that girls need pink pushchairs, clothes and bikes. If you girl first, then have a boy, you will need to buy a completely new kit. If you had bought everything in blue or brown or red or green then you could
use it again. It's capitalism. Rise up against it.
sussexram40
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2:17pm Sun 25 Nov 12
NickBrt
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3:17pm Sun 25 Nov 12
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
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7:28am Mon 26 Nov 12
sussexram40 wrote:I agree, it's just a shame that what he chooses to protest about is such an utterly facile point. It's a sign of political weakness: if you know you can't make a difference on big issues then pick a little one and make out that it's like, y'know, really really important.
Whether you agree with this man or not, it is good that he is true to his beliefs and principles and prepared to complain. I think his complaint is silly but I defend his right to make it and stand up for what he believes in. Shame we don't have more people in society prepared to stand up and fight against whatever they think is wrong.
davenachfan
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9:34am Mon 26 Nov 12
Oooh err
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9:41am Mon 26 Nov 12
Thinking about it further, how many bikes of any colour can you see on them?
fredflintstone1
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10:55am Mon 26 Nov 12
Methinks the Greens should convene an investigation into his beliefs, and suspend him from the party. His views are unacceptable in any modern, enlightened democratic party.
vogon1
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11:54am Mon 26 Nov 12
Joshiman
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12:31pm Mon 26 Nov 12
TheDrive
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12:53pm Mon 26 Nov 12
I have two little girls and I don't want them to be forced to behave like princesses, or otherwise. I want them to like whatever they want and if that's riding an Action Man bike and climbing a tree, then good for them. Or if they want to be a princess, then that's just as fine too. I believe that is all the councillor is trying to put across - that nobody should be forced into stereotypes. They have a right to make up their own minds.
Why are people so upset about his hair? I'm a short back and sides man myself, but if he wants long hair and to look mildly silly then I don't really lose any sleep about it. I bet nobody would feel the need to make comments if he had an afro?
I'm not a Green Party voter myself and I don't agree with many of their policies. But, whether you like their policies or not, they are the only people who are prepared to state their principals and work to them even in the face of some pretty unpleasant response, and for that they deserve credit. The rest of the political spectrum are either sitting on the fence or on a gravy train.
Fairfax Sakes
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2:05pm Mon 26 Nov 12
tooned_in
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2:39pm Mon 26 Nov 12
vogon1
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4:15pm Mon 26 Nov 12
I would say, of far more concern, is the problem of extotionate parking prices, travellers that don't travel, street violence, the dodgy refuse service etc.
The council is here to run our services-not tell us how to think.
This political correct nonsense is out of control.
It's safe to say you'll be out of power at the first opportunity Mr Rufus
vogon1
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4:16pm Mon 26 Nov 12
I would say, of far more concern, is the problem of extotionate parking prices, travellers that don't travel, street violence, the dodgy refuse service etc.
The council is here to run our services-not tell us how to think.
This political correct nonsense is out of control.
It's safe to say you'll be out of power at the first opportunity Mr Rufus
Baldseagull
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5:50pm Mon 26 Nov 12
What worries me is that he thinks his daughter will not be have aspirations because Halfords sell pink bikes.
Idontbelieveit1948
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9:47pm Mon 26 Nov 12
HJarrs wrote:Have you not worked out that if no one wants pink bikes they will not be bought and if they aren't bought either Halfords go bust or they sell other colours that are wanted.
I resent the the insulting colour coding for children. It is like turning the clock back to the dark ages and I worry at the above comments (though I have my sususpicion of a multi-poster at work), no wonder the country is going down the pan.
Whether my child likes blue clothing or pink clothing seems to be immaterial, they have no choice due to regimented colour coding by gender. If you have a princess complex then you will no doubt disagree, but I want my child to have choice and whether it is red, pink, blue, purple etc then they will have made the choice and not had it thrust upon them.
Why do you waste time on this - oh sorry forgot you're a Green sympathiser and, just like the Green Councillors, have lost the plot.
Roger Francais
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12:13pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Feck off!
Andyman26
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1:00pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Andyman26
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1:00pm Tue 27 Nov 12
CaliforniaGirl
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2:33pm Tue 27 Nov 12
This man is wasting his time complaining about what really is a not terribly important matter. There is far worse sexism employed in mainstream advertising that probably causes more issues for women and girls than the Halfords issue.
Idontbelieveit1948
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7:49pm Tue 27 Nov 12
It really does make you think,
When a councillor causes a stink,
What’s driven dear Sven,
So far round the bend,
Is Halfords selling bikes that are pink.
Get a life Sven
Flippin Burghers
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1:58pm Wed 28 Nov 12
Unbias
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10:26pm Wed 28 Nov 12
Please go do some positive work!
Kid's are kids...oh wait.......you are right...don't give a kid a gun as they'll end up a gangster.....
Jeeze how do these people even get to stand for their posts?
davenachfan
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12:10am Thu 29 Nov 12
Unbias wrote:Kids does not need an apostrophe, but I would prefer the word "children".
Rufus, my taxes pay for you....
Please go do some positive work!
Kid's are kids...oh wait.......you are right...don't give a kid a gun as they'll end up a gangster.....
Jeeze how do these people even get to stand for their posts?
Giving children toy guns and exposing them to violence will make it more likely that they will grow up to think that violence is the norm and the way to deal with conflict.
I have spent the last 40 years teaching and working with children and young people.
I strongly believe that we should not sell toy guns or give toy weapons to children.
I also believe that toys and clothes should not not be gender specific. It would be much better if girls and boys wore navy blue, brown or red clothes.
Algeria Touchshriek
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12:35pm Thu 29 Nov 12
People say the BNP are full of hate, but who do they not like apart from immigrants and terrorists?
But the greens hate:
Car drivers
Middle classes
Meat eaters
Home Owners
Law abiding Citizens
Tell me who has more hate?
reddogs
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12:51pm Thu 29 Nov 12
jesss2012
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7:40pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Oooh err
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9:03pm Thu 29 Nov 12
davenachfan wrote:Am I the only person struggling to work out if this is a wind up?
Unbias wrote:Kids does not need an apostrophe, but I would prefer the word "children".
Rufus, my taxes pay for you....
Please go do some positive work!
Kid's are kids...oh wait.......you are right...don't give a kid a gun as they'll end up a gangster.....
Jeeze how do these people even get to stand for their posts?
Giving children toy guns and exposing them to violence will make it more likely that they will grow up to think that violence is the norm and the way to deal with conflict.
I have spent the last 40 years teaching and working with children and young people.
I strongly believe that we should not sell toy guns or give toy weapons to children.
I also believe that toys and clothes should not not be gender specific. It would be much better if girls and boys wore navy blue, brown or red clothes.
mictrix
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11:06pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Oooh err wrote:oh don't worry this lunatic is deadly serious...no wonder some kids grow up mixed.unbelievable and unreal
davenachfan wrote:Am I the only person struggling to work out if this is a wind up?
Unbias wrote:Kids does not need an apostrophe, but I would prefer the word "children".
Rufus, my taxes pay for you....
Please go do some positive work!
Kid's are kids...oh wait.......you are right...don't give a kid a gun as they'll end up a gangster.....
Jeeze how do these people even get to stand for their posts?
Giving children toy guns and exposing them to violence will make it more likely that they will grow up to think that violence is the norm and the way to deal with conflict.
I have spent the last 40 years teaching and working with children and young people.
I strongly believe that we should not sell toy guns or give toy weapons to children.
I also believe that toys and clothes should not not be gender specific. It would be much better if girls and boys wore navy blue, brown or red clothes.
davenachfan
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11:54pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Over the last twenty years, big businesses have colour coded everything for babies and children making many parents think that they need to buy pink or pastel colours for girls.
Open your eyes.
Children are not going to grow up mixed up if they are dressed in dark blue, brown or red. They may grow up with an open mind and not think they are going to be a princess, who is looked after for ever, by a prince.
acidsmile9
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12:11am Fri 30 Nov 12
Oooh err
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9:15am Fri 30 Nov 12
davenachfan wrote:I have no need to open my eyes. My partner and I both work with children in very different capacities and I agree they will not be mixed up if they wear blue, brown or red. However nor will they be mixed up if they ride a pink or blue bike. The biggest single influence on a child is the parental one, good or bad. If you don't buy boys toy guns as you suggest, they will use sticks as guns instead. It is what we did 50 years ago and none of my friends have ever killed anyone. My own children have, as they grew up, played with toys for boys and girls, as teenagers they now play computer games. My daughter and son often play the same game whether it is a game supposedly for boys or girls. They are in fact well balanced children.
I am not a lunatic. My comments are not a 'wind up'.
Over the last twenty years, big businesses have colour coded everything for babies and children making many parents think that they need to buy pink or pastel colours for girls.
Open your eyes.
Children are not going to grow up mixed up if they are dressed in dark blue, brown or red. They may grow up with an open mind and not think they are going to be a princess, who is looked after for ever, by a prince.
Isn't it time people stopped blaming Halfords, toy guns, the media et al for how their children turn out?
What is a real concern is not the colour of bikes but the creeping influence a small minority who promote gender neutrality in our schools and education system because it it suits their idealogy rather than accepting what most people know to be fact; boys and girls are inheritently different from conception onwards.
Oooh err
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9:21am Fri 30 Nov 12
rubberflipper says...
12:36pm Fri 23 Nov 12