I’m a little confused about this whole Target thing.  I wasn’t even going to write about it, but now I’m just perplexed.  Do you know what I’m talking about?  Help me understand this.  I read that Target has taken some heat about its move to make shelving gender neutral in the areas of toys, bedding and entertainment.  Well, first they took some heat about having gender based shelving and signage in the first place, but they responded and decided to remove the “hey, this is only for girls and that is only for boys” indicators in their stores with regards to specific areas.  I want to point out that, to my knowledge, the three departments I mentioned are the only areas they are changing.  They are not combining clothing sections for boys and girls or making clothing options “gender neutral.” and the bathrooms will still remain separated by Men and Women.   My questions is, if they do this, so what?!

First of all, let me be clear.  I feel very strongly that boys and girls are inherently unique from one another and there are basic differences that should be respected and even encouraged.  I am NOT a feminist.  I would be a 1950’s housewife in many regards if our financial situation allowed for it and I believe that God made men and women different for a reason and a purpose.  I also believe that every one of us has a right to our own opinion and the right to express our own opinion as long as we do not infringe on the basic rights of others.  I would never judge a mom or dad for choosing to work outside the home if they wished.  I work at home, but I am far from a housewife.  I have a daycare so I am on the run most of the day.  I don’t have the freedom to choose my tasks for the day within my home or to focus solely on my children and husband.  This thing with Target just doesn’t really bother me, though.  In my daycare all of the children, boys and girls alike, play with all of the toys.  Girls play with trucks.  Boys play with the baby dolls.  It doesn’t mean that they are being driven to question their sexuality.  It just means they are pursuing play that interests and appeals to them.  I wouldn’t bat an eye if one of my girls came to daycare with a Batman blanket or one of the boys had a baby doll to love on.  It only means that she is interested in caring for others and might enjoy an old fashioned battle between good and evil.  Having Batman means she is on the side of good!  The sweet little boy with the baby doll is learning to be a father, to be loving and nurturing.  Carry on, kids!  I love it!

I don’t believe that in the world today, when we have so many huge problems like violence, homelessness, abuse, poverty, etc., that this particular issue is a big deal.  The whole issue may have gone unnoticed, except that I read an opinion from someone that Target’s move represents a highly significant, gradual wearing down of the moral fiber of our country and that those who do not notice it are the ones it is successfully used against.  I took that comment to heart.  No one’s morality should be judged based on whether or not they even notice that Target changed its merchandising strategy.

I need help!  Have I missed something within the facts of what Target is doing?  I simply do not understand how putting bedding out in the aisles and marking it “KIDS” without a differentiation telling said “KIDS” which one they should choose based on their gender breaks down the moral fiber of our nation.  I have never walked into the grown up section of bedding at Target and seen signs for “MEN” or “WOMEN.”  I’ve probably been buying the wrong bedding all along!  I honestly could care less if Target changes their merchandising or not, but I don’t get at all why anyone would be upset about it either way. Now, if Target posted signs that said “Your daughter has to go against every value you’ve ever taught her with regards her to actually being a girl if she buys a Super Hero blanket” or “Your son is going turn his back on his football team and marry another boy if he buys that Cinderella lamp”  I’d probably take notice.  If they tried to tell me what I can buy for my children based on the parts God gave them,  I’d be upset.  It would definitely not be ok for Target to teach morals or values to my children, but they are not doing that.  (Someone please send me a picture if you see that sign actually hanging in a Target store somewhere!  I’ll print a retraction right away.)  They are not telling me or my children anything at all with this move.  They are removing their direction of me towards the product they think I should buy based on my child’s gender.  On the flip side, Fred Meyer has never had gender based shelving in their bedding or toy department.  Should I get mad at them for not doing it in the first place?

What have I missed?!  Is this really about the unspoken fear that I, as a shopper, might accidentally buy the wrong Legos for my son because the aisle wasn’t properly marked for boys?  Is there some underlying, sinister plot that I am not seeing?

Please understand that I really don’t give a hoot about Target one way or the other.  If I like what they are selling, I buy it.  If I don’t like it, they don’t get my money. This isn’t a rally around Target kind of post, nor am I trying to bash anyone for being bothered by the store’s decision.   I just simply don’t understand.

Comment below. Tell me what you think.

(By the way, isn’t there only one fitting room in the clothing department at our local Target?  Just one single fitting room and both genders have been using it for years with not one word uttered about it being wrong.)