"You guys are way too easily offended": Target boys clothes controversy triggers online debate

A TikToker is getting relentlessly slammed across social media platforms after dissing Target’s boys’ clothing collection. The platform user claimed that the retail corporation was attempting to make young boys “look like girls” with the colorful shirts they were selling. Netizens have since taken to multiple apps to troll the TikToker.

Recently, a TikTok user was heavily criticized online for clinging on to traditional gender norms when it came to clothing. Platform user @goddess_domoo posted a video where she asked a Target employee where they kept boys' clothing. While looking at a selection of t-shirts that were red, yellow, beige and pink, the TikToker asked with disappointment:

The graphic t-shirts showed rainbows, patterns, and dolphins with flowers on their eyes which seemed to disappoint the TikToker. The text in the video also read:

In the video, @goddess_domoo proceeded to move to another section where they kept boys' clothing as well. While pointing towards a pair of blue t-shirts, with one of them including the word- “dad” on it, the TikToker said with glee- “Hey! We got a boys shirt.”

The TikToker then showed viewers another section of the store that kept clothing for boys as well. While pointing towards Hawaiian shirts and a pair of green sweatpants with pink designs on it, the TikToker stated with disappointment that they were still in the boys section.

The TikToker also showed a pink onesie and other pastel-colored pieces in the boys section and said:

She ended the video by pointing towards two mannequins of a boy and a girl and stated that Target was trying to make the boy look like his sister.

At the time of writing this article, the video, which was shared on Twitter user End Wokeness’ page received 4.3 million views and over 33.8k likes.

Netizens react to the TikToker claiming that Target is trying to push an “agenda”

Internet users were flabbergasted to see the TikToker attempt to place blame on Target for “pushing the agenda” of making young boys want to look like girls.

Many were displeased to see the TikToker seemingly claim that colorful clothing was feminine for boys. While criticizing the TikToker for her narrow thinking, many brought earlier fashion trends to her knowledge.

Several netizens revealed that men’s fashion in the 90s included brightly colored clothing pieces. Others also noted that kids should wear whatever they liked.

In 2015, Target announced that it was taking steps to move towards gender neutrality. After receiving backlash for their gender-based signages on toy building sets, they revealed that they would include signs which just read “kids” instead of “boys” and “girls.”

About the author

Karishma is a trending writer at SK POP. With a BA in Journalism, Psychology and Literature, Karishma, who has closely followed the latest internet trends from a young age, found her role at SK POP to be the perfect fit for her professional qualifications and personal interests.

She has nearly 3 years of experience in the industry and has interned with The Hindu and Deccan Herald. In her role at Sportskeeda, Karishma covers a range of topics at the pop division, but she believes her skills as a journalist are best reflected while creating impactful and research-intensive stories. For her, no other step in the writing process is as crucial as fact-checking with multiple sources and accurately conveying facts and data.

Karishma holds deep admiration for artists Luke Jerram and Yoshitomo Nara's authenticity and originality, who are her favorite icons. When not ideating her next story, Karishma can be seen deeply engrossed in a book.

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