I think anyone devoted to the virtues of classical education should have been able to come up with a more effective argument than the one presented in that article, but that's just what I think....
I took my daughter out to buy a toy today, after she reminded me that it has been a while since she last shopped. While I paid for the toy, I heard from behind me a gasp of "Papa, look", and turned to find her in the children's clothes section, clutching a dress which she loudly declared to be the prettiest thing in the whole wide world. Being a tough manly type and immune to feminine wiles I bought it immediately; she clutched it all the way home and tried it on at once, spinning rapturously in front of the mirror while announcing her intention to wear it to school tomorrow and twirl for her friends. She is now asleep, with it draped beside her on the bed.
The dress is a brilliant neon pink, with about 10,000 pink sequins, a quantity of pink lace, and the name and likeness of Barbie sprawled across the bodice. It is probably the most politically incorrect garment ever sewn. I take some consolation in the certain knowledge that 5 minutes after she finishes twirling for her friends she will kick off her shoes and climb the guava tree in the schoolyard.
I am sure that feminists would denounce me for abetting the cult of Barbie, but Jenny is happy. She is also prettier than Barbie, and that is not my opinion, but absolute, unadulterated FACT!
We parents are models of impartiality, are we not? |
