An American manufacturer of novelty, fun items, Archie McPhee, has created a Crazy Cat Lady Coloring Book which contains, on at least two pages, sexist references to women. I think this book should be removed from their inventory until they clean it up.
On one page they have a quiz entitled, “Find the kitty-related words in the puzzle below”.
The photograph of the page is self-explanatory. You can see that the hidden words describe the crazy cat lady variously as: insane, lonely, depressed, on prozac, reclusive, a spinster, anti-social and disturbed. You get the obvious message: women who love cats and who quite possibly look after several cats are mad, lonely people who are anti-social.
This is completely incorrect. Yes, there are some female cat hoarders who have borderline personality disorders (and some men too) but the phrase “crazy cat lady” does not solely describe cat hoarders but all women who like cats a lot and who look after several. The vast majority of them are good, intelligent, sociable people who simply like cats and make a conscious decision to live as they wish.
On another page (see below) there is a drawing for coloring in. I can’t read all the words at the base of the image but you can see from the image that the lady is depressed when dressed quite smartly but happy when her clothes and home are in a mess. Once again this is unnecessarily derogatory of women who love cats and who keep more than one cat.
This sort of stuff promotes sexism in my opinion and an unpleasant and unnecessary attitude towards cat loving women. It is particular obnoxious because a coloring book in designed to be used by young, impressionable persons.
I don’t like it. What do you think? Am I being overly sensitive and politically correct? I wonder if someone would make a formal complaint. The book may be in breach of sex discrimination laws in the USA. But, that said, many people will see the book as a bit of harmless fun. It all depends on your point of view about women and cats. Some men don’t like either. It looks like the author may be one of them. However, I am obliged to say that in order to write a balanced page, a lot of the pages are just fine.
I agree that this is very sexist, and putting down women who love and care for cats. I’ll post something on Amazon.
I saw an advertisement for a couple of kittens seeking a home, they were advertised as a “Crazy cat Lady starter kit”, I have to admit I smiled.
That’s funny.
Wow that’s more than a random splattering in that puzzle. Must everything have some social or political attachment. I bought my husband some adult coloring books. I guess I better go search for subliminal hidden messages in them.
🙂 Yes, there is a hidden message here. It’s like big brother government conditioning people to think in a certain way.
Gee, that is sure something I wouldn’t buy or give as a gift. They sure denigrate those who love other creatures than themselves. Guess it’s that negative feeling that a lot of folks have for those who think and act differently than themselves. Could also be jealously of those who are comfortable in themselves.
Yes, I think this book contains prejudices. A lot of people have misconceptions and prejudices against certain types of people. This is an example. I say it is also sexist because if a man loves cats and looks after a lot of cats he’s not referred to in the same derogatory way.
This is the kind of abusive society we craft when we take joy in putting people down, especially those who love. That, is the sickness. That, is anti-everything. To spread it around, for profit, as if preaching from a pulpit is the worst. A woman or ANY person (I am a man who happens to enjoy the company of felines) who minds their own business as they give life to otherwise societies throw-away pets is a hero who should not be dragged through the mud like this. Outrageously, disgracefully condescending, and sending every kind of worst message.
Well_ this is a little bit over the top isn’t it / not to mention the obvious negativity in the wording and contents.
>this woman is playing out her mental illness, and it’s for sale!!
Eva