JC Penney isn't the only one who doesn't think girls can do homework

Today the Internets were abuzz with this gem of a tee shirt from JC Penney: I'm too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me.

My brother even sent me a link about it.

Then I read a post about it at Scary Mommy, so worth your click-through to see the designs of her alternative tee options.

And a post from Mom 101, Sexism is complicated. Now excuse me while I put on some Alanis and feed my cats.

And then the post from Uppercase Woman with an awesome, but unfortuantely unprintable title for my "family friendly" blog.

And finally I found Stark Raving Mad Mommy's post, which also included a nice list of 8 other equally appalling tees.

Then I read a lot of self-congratulatory tweets about the power of social media, as it appears JC Penney is no longer going to sell the shirt.

But why stop with Penney's stupid shirt? It is really a victory that this misguided shirt was removed from their shelves because a bunch of moms complained and told them they were appalled? Wouldn't the real victory be if we lived in a world where JC Penney never even thought to make such an offensive shirt in the first place?

This shirt is just one example of offensive marketing towards girls, the list goes on and on. In fact, I posted a list of three offenders back in June. Not to mention my continual distaste for Skechers marketing "shape-ups" sneakers to girls as young as seven.

And a quick look today at Forever21's site shows that a girl doesn't need a brother to do her homework, the family dog should be able to do it just fine. Or at least better than a girl.

Removing one offensive shirt from JC Penney's clothing line isn't going to change the larger issue of gender stereotypes. But supporting the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood - an organization which addresses these issues as well as the sexualization of children in the media and the prevalence of advertising in schools - now that, well, it just might make a difference.

What do you think? What's the best way to make a real difference?