Here’s an interesting take on a particular segment of the notebook and journal market:
I love buying useless little journals and covering my desk with piles of colorful sticky notes. Fall and its corresponding school-and-office-supply bonanzas are a sign of a fresh start: I love telling myself that these journals and sticky notes will make me more organized and therefore more productive and therefore better at my job and therefore happier. Is it true? Not exactly. Does it matter? Not at all.
There’s just one small problem: So many of the office supplies that are marketed toward women are incredibly condescending.
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I’m not a big fan of “notebooks for women” or things with slogans on them in general, and let’s face it, a notebook that says “#girlboss” is not going to counter discrimination in the workplace and help more women become CEOs. Do feminist slogans on notebooks trivialize the issues women face, or are they a fun and encouraging way to feel motivated? What do you think?
Read more: The case against “empowering†office supplies – Vox
Yeah, I’ve been keeping a diary since I was 11 years old and have never liked girly things, pink things designed only for girls and princess things. My Father encouraged all four of his daughters to “get a good education” and treated us as people. I never felt that I needed “girl power” because I was a person and that was enough for me to persue my interests and have a free life.
It’s virtue signalling to sell notebooks to the segment of the population that fantasize that they are being oppressed.
I agree that I don’t feel more empowered by a pink notebook that says “#girlpower” on it. The target audience for most of their products are millennials and younger and not the average notebook obsessed reader of blogs like these.
However, Bando’s founder has made some jewelry to recognize and open communication about mental health issues which are a big deal to her, and, for that, I haven’t written off the company completely.
Are the ban.do notebooks not meant to be a joke? Surely something that says “I am very busy” or “Serious business woman” is meant sarcastically. At any rate, I find notebooks with silly slogans to be far less offensive than the pen for women that came out a few years ago.
You should delete Matthew’s comment. He’s a turd.
Actually, I’m not a “turd”. I understand the market. I will respect your right to your opinion. I ask the same from you.
That there is a separate set of notebooks for women is sexist in itself. Specifically in this situation, general stereotypes of pink- and flower-loving women are perpetuated. It’s nothing but an adult version of princess-themed girl’s t-shirts, while boys get to have the t-shirts with rockets and sciency stuff on them.
And anyway, I’ve never liked “pre-personalized” notebooks. I usually prefer blank ones and put whatever I like on the cover. I even started making my own notebooks because the possibilities are endless. Well, almost.