Wednesday, October 31, 2012

yarn along: being a girl

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the regular Wednesday Yarn Along!
Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? ~ Ginny Sheller from Small Things
yes, that would be Sandy outside the window...

This past week I read Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein. Funny, thought-provoking, at times even provocative. I have always been uncomfortable with the "Princess" girly-girl culture and this book helped me better articulate why. It was a fun and easy read with the added benefit that it made me re-evaluate my own beliefs about feminism and how I want to raise my daughter. I appreciate how Orenstein presents various studies and research to theorize that what girls are attracted to and what we define as feminism is mostly dictated by media and commercialism as opposed to inherent biological wiring. Not that Orenstein offers any concrete solutions to avoiding the narcissism and consumerism that plagues girlhood, but my take-away was that the more informed, aware, and present I am in Mayumi's childhood, the better I'll be able to combat the negative attitudes and images that can seep into our home. But perhaps that is topic for another post entirely?

As for knitting, I'm still chugging away at Maya's sweater. Or at least, I eye it sitting in my basket and keep telling myself that I should work on it in between feedings during this luxurious phase while the babies sleep all the time. You know, instead of getting sucked into Pinterest (speaking of consumerism and narcism - with few exceptions it's all about keeping track of things I want) and reading other people's blogs. In my defense, those boys don't always sleep... but now I'm just making excuses. I vow to make this a more productive week in terms of tackling that sweater!

Oh yes, and Happy Halloween everyone.

7 comments:

little macaroon. said...

That sounds like a book I really want to read! I was having a conversation with a very gender-egalitarian Scandinavian friend of mine yesterday, trying to argue that it IS possible to bring up a girl without a predilection for pink skimpy sparkles... or maybe I've just been lucky this far... (and since my babe was born 5 weeks ago I haven't knit a stitch - sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get time again!)

Jen said...

I also recently read Orenstein's book and thoroughly enjoyed it. My takeaway was similar to yours. Plus, she admits to being just as confused as the rest of us. Refreshing!

Donna said...

We watched and indulged in the "Princess" movies when my daughter was little. However, as a young woman she is SO opposite. She isn't into the frilly, pink, girly girl thing at all. At 17 she is a very "take charge", "I'll do it myself" kind of person. I think it was that we never treated her like a "princess", but gave her the tools to have self confidence and to know she could accomplish whatever she wanted - without a Prince having to come along and do it for her! LOL.

Kim said...

I just picked up this book from the library and have yet to crack it open. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Happy Halloween!

tess said...

I'm going to go pin this book so I don't forget to read it! :) Sounds really good and I enjoyed reading your reaction to it. And you have a beautiful WIP to boot!

Unknown said...

I need to finish her book. I set it aside many months ago due to life. It does provide a lot to think about. Oh, and Pinterest can be the death of free time for me.

Fam said...

Sounds like a great book, would have to check it out, and the sweater yarn colour is lovely.