Eight-year-old Sophie went shopping for new school shoes with her mother. While choosing shoes, she decided on a pair called Clarks Stomp Claw since she likes dinosaurs. However, the sales clerk at the store informed Sophie and her mother the shoes were for boys. She believed the structure differences of boys? feet and girls’ feet would be a problem with the shoe.
Sophie decided to express her frustration and concern about being unable to wear dinosaur shoes because she is a girl. She wrote a letter to the Clarks shoe company and explained why the marketing for the company was sexist. Sophie wrote:
“I don’t like how girls have flowery shoes. I like dinosaurs and fossils, so I think that other girls might as well.??
Sophie’s mother tweeted a picture of her letter to Clarks? Shoes.
The company apologized for the experience regarding their shoes. A rep for the company stated:
“The Stomposaurus range can safely be worn by all children. We are also developing a broader range of unisex styles which will be available from autumn/winter this year.”
I’m a mother myself. My daughter loves basketball shorts, which we purchase in the boys’ department as we can never find any in the juniors’ department. My youngest son, at five years old, likes the colors pink and blue. He likes to wear pink shirts and have his toenails painted. He also loves cars, monster trucks, and wrestling. We should not limit what our children can wear or play with because of their gender.
The letter by Sophie has inspired the hashtag #InMyShoes. Women in scientific fields are tweeting pictures of their shoes. A variety of shoes has been shared and range from rugged to stylish. After all, being a woman or girly doesn’t mean you can’t like science.
People should be able to wear their shoes of choice regardless of their gender. As parents and society, we are suppose to encourage and support our children’s interests.? Hopefully, by the actions of Sophie and her mother, other girls who love dinosaurs will have an easier time getting their own dinosaur shoes.
