Retail Giant Slammed For Sexist Gift Range

UK retail giant Clintons has come under fire for its latest range of mugs targeted at young boys and girls which have been labelled ‘sexist’.

British stationary store, Clintons, has faced criticism from parents over its latest range of gendered mugs, which have been labelled ‘sexist’ and ‘vile’ news.com.au reports.

The mugs are marketed as gifts for parents to give their children, with a daughter and son version available for purchase, but many are outraged by the marked difference between the slogans on each of them.

Ridiculous Stereotypes

While the mug for a son features words such as “friend” and “hero”, the mug for a daughter instead includes the words “princess” and “babe” leaving parents in disbelief at the brand’s use of such ridiculous stereotypes.

“What a delightful message to spread to our children,” one mum posted to Twitter alongside a photo of the products. “Please do better Clintons.”

“I’m appalled this got through the process to shops stocking them without anyone saying no!” said another. “These mugs are narrow, stereotyped, inappropriate nonsense.”

Under Review

Clinton’s replied to the mums original tweet, saying that they would investigate the issue with their buying team and apologising for any offence caused by the products.

“This is one from a wide range of drinkware that we sell, all of which is selected by our all-women gift buying team,” they said. “We are sensitive to feedback and will review our range. All our messages come from a good place and our intention is to cater to as wide an audience as possible.”

We have to applaud those parents who called out Clintons for the very obvious issue here. When you think of qualities that you admire and cherish in your children, especially your daughters, ‘babe’ isn’t really one that comes to mind…

Do you think this range is ridiculous or are parents being too sensitive? Let us know in the comments.

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36 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 11 May 2023
    12:13 pm
What ever…… i would be very happy with the girls mug please.

- - mom19782016 said
  - 29 Nov 2019
    1:10 pm
I don’t think you can ever please everyone

- - mom81879 said
  - 27 Oct 2019
    9:13 pm
They’re being too sensitive. Seriously, if you don’t like it, don’t agree with it, simply don’t buy it. Do we really have to complain about everything? It’s not that bad, not worth a media campaign

- - curlytops said
  - 24 Oct 2019
    9:09 am
I really dislike this tacky sort of stuff anyway.

- - mom371543 said
  - 26 Sep 2019
    6:58 am
It’s not a big deal if you don’t like it don’t buy it

- - ella12 said
  - 29 Jul 2019
    2:49 pm
I don’t know what the problem is. Doesn’t bother me.

- - skbou said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    5:04 pm
Range isn’t ridiculous, the oversensitive people are. Some people get ‘outraged’ and ‘appalled’ at the drop of a hat.

- - mom101628 said
  - 21 Jul 2019
    11:06 pm
Absolutely over the top and ridiculous comments by people who have nothing better to do.
Most boys/young men and males would love to be called heroes.
I love being called a princess – and it only happened the other day when I turned 75.
Get off social media and become a person in the real world

- - Blossom said
  - 18 Jul 2019
    10:14 pm
Next criticism will be about “pink for girls” and “blue for boys”

- - tessie said
  - 17 Jul 2019
    12:52 pm
It’s not really offensive just insensitive to my way of thinking. Your daughter can also be your friend and a hero. Why must girls always be called a princess or a babe? I wouldn’t buy either of these mugs

- - rovermum said
  - 17 Jul 2019
    9:16 am
I’m not offended at all. If it doesn’t appeal to me, I simply won’t buy it. Not hard.

- - BellaB said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    7:05 pm
I don’t knw that I’d go to “vile”, but it’s sexist and inappropriate.

- - mom376182 said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    4:16 pm
I don’t really understand why in 2019 the manufacturers/designers didn’t just think that the exact same things could be written under both “Son” and “Daughter.” I don’t think being a hero or a friend is exclusive to the male gender.

- - mom290755 said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    2:42 pm
Not sure about the word babe. But I definitely think people are being a little sensitive. Think there are bigger things to worry about than what is said on a mug!

- - mummaJo said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    12:31 pm
I think there were thousands of better choices than the word “Babe” – not a fan of that word on the cup. Not sure what the “all female buyers” were thinking.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    10:54 am
I don’t have a problem with ‘princess’ but ‘babe’ has very negative connotations to young girls.

- - MisChip said
  - 15 Jul 2019
    10:45 pm
Urgh, that is awful.

- - musicmum said
  - 15 Jul 2019
    10:30 pm
Love to see all these mugs smashed up, banned and stop selling these types of slogans that separate kids and put them into molds. So a girl can only be a babe or princess and boys get to be hero’s and friends, so wrong!

- - mom119776 said
  - 15 Jul 2019
    8:08 pm
I dont mind the boy one but like others have said babe is not something that should be acceptable on anything towards a child regardless of the gender.

- - mom265671 said
  - 14 Jul 2019
    11:28 pm
Hmm just don’t buy it if you dont like it
- mom79779 replied
  
  15 Jul 2019 , 8:06 pm
  Exactly what I was thinking!!! They don’t have to buy them if they don’t like them sheesh….