For your consideration: “The Domestic Anti Nag Gag,” a soccer ball-shaped device that promises to silence women and allow men to live their lives free of pesky female requests. The English branch of international clothing store River Island recently came under fire for selling this shockingly inappropriate item. Consumers were outraged when they saw the gag pop up on the brand’s website; among those offended was actor Jenny Bede, who promptly shared her thoughts with thousands of Twitter followers: “This can’t be real surely?! It’s disgusting.” Her tweet later showed up on the Twitter account belonging to the Everyday Sexism project, and activists called for boycotts of the store.
Fortunately, the product was removed and is no longer for sale at River Island. But this tale of consumer woe sadly isn’t unique. Sexist gag gifts (no pun intended) are everywhere. When feminist Twitter users protested, others used the old “have a sense of humor” line. Items like this, joke or no joke, perpetuate sexist ideas: women are nags, and men just wanna play sports and be left alone. Moreover, the comedic conceit of the joke is rooted in the disturbing notion violence against women is acceptable and funny. It isn’t. End of story.
Thanks to Telegraph
Image via Telegraph
