I’ve been a witch every single year since I was six months old–so I really have no choice about costumes at this point… And since I can’t even fake being Man’s Fantasy anymore, I have to say I was most moved by your discussion of gender and children. My son seems to pick all sorts of odd ideas that, while gendered, are so out there that most people think they are gay (and the grandparents have said as much): Will Scarlett (Robin Hood’s sidekick), a dancing Morris Man, or even something as “normal” but non-masculine (?) as Sherlock Holmes. I love that one of his female friends was a lion, another Bunnicula, one Harry Potter, etc. But GOSH it was bucking the trend!

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-stein26oct26,0,7942535.column?coll=la-opinion-rightrail

Of course, I once dressed as Betty Boop for Halloween and won second place in a costume contest because everyone initially thought my ta-tas were fake (nope, their real, I just rarely wear a padded push-up bra).

Honestly, this is part of a larger problem, as evidenced by girls gone wild and all those awful reality dating shows (why is it acceptable for women to be humiliated on national television? When did that become entertaining?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9IbQtTfygw

I didn’t really look at the store bought costumes this year, but I saw some of the ads, and I remember a few years ago when my ex took my daughter for her costume. She was 9, I believe, and he got her a half devil/half angel costume that was totally inappropriate. It disgusted me then, and still does now.

This was the first year in a long time I’ve done a traditional Halloween, and there were lots of things that really bothered me. I need to write my own post …

But for the record, my husband and I were a 1950′s couple. So not sexy. I even wore his letter jacket!!!

As the women at Feministe said it, these costumes are about catering to male fantasy, and have nothing to do with empowering our female sexuality. That’s the real problem. It’s sad and depressing.

And yet the kids’ choices are better than the adults. Next year I think I’m going to have to have a costume, just so I can do it better!