Mar 15th, 2006
New Cell Phone Promotes Heterosexual Lifestyle
Here’s a very tangible example of those everyday reinforcements of “traditional” families that “mainstream” society just doesn’t see. The implicit message of exclusion, however, reinforces the invisibility of “non-traditional” families.
Firefly, a phone targeted for kids ages 8-12 is described as “parent friendly.” Parents use a PIN to enter a limited amount of phone numbers the child-user can call, including the two pre-programmed numbers to call “parents.”
The icons for these “parents” symbolize a “mom” and a “dad” or, more specifically: Cinderella and an extra from Star Trek.
If Firefly Mobile were savvy about reaching the queer family market — a phenomenally brand-loyal market to any corporation that gives them a validating nod — the company would include two extra parent icon buttons in the box with the phone. Same same-sex parents could change out a Belle of the Ball for a second Sci-Fi Conventioneer, or vice versa, with the replacement buttons having a distinctly different color. For example, press the blue Trekkie to call Papa, and press the green Trekkie to summon Daddy.
I think it would be a safe bet that many of the lesbian parents would opt for having two “neutral” icons (i.e. blue and green Trekkies) rather than subject even their symbolic selves to sporting a prom dress.
This is right up there with the “family” icon that’s part of the Webdings font (standard on all Windows and Mac machines). It has a big Star Trek extra in pants, a big one in a mini-skirt, and two little ones–one in pants and one in a mini-skirt. When I’m feeling generous, I think of them as butch and femme action figures. When I’m not, I consider switching to Linux.
Aside from the queer thing, there are plenty of single-parent homes out there. Having a button for “Daddy” only works if he’s actually in the picture.
This is, without doubt the most rediculous thing I’ve ever seen in writing,,and that is saying something.
Thanks for the analysis; i read it, smiled and felt less alone in the world!
A su salud!
[...] This seems like yet another reinforcement of the “traditional family” configuration. I got to thinking, though: What exactly would a more inclusive sign look like? Would it be so bad just to imagine these were two moms, one in pants and one in a skirt? Would it defeat the purpose of an understandable sign to show an opposite-sex couple, a lesbian couple (two skirted figures), and a gay male couple (two figures in pants), plus kids? What about single parents? Should this be one case where we go with the majority representation, for simplicity’s sake? Or will this send the wrong message to our kids? And regardless of sexual orientation, is it a bit old fashioned to show the woman in a skirt? Would putting her in pants, but giving her hips and a busom, be any better? How would this affect the little girl icon? Should we do away with the icons altogether? [...]
[...] The examples pile up. Easter eggs. Mobile phones. (Thanks, Abigail.) All with easy inclusive alternatives. [...]