Allergic to Algebra? Troubling T-Shirts Cause Controversy

Anna Quinn said…

Clothing choices for kids

Since I think our clothing choices matter, I found these shirts from JCPenney and Forever 21 particularly odious.

I'm not a fan of petitions, but it amazes me that a pink shirt that says "Allergic to Math" made it through the product design gauntlet. Seriously?

I guess the marketers think moms are dumb enough to buy these shirts for their daughters!

Timothy Dalrymple said…

But surely it's the mothers of the math-genius daughters who are purchasing those shirts for their daughters ironically? 

Rebecca Cusey said…

I saw this and thought that some kids would want it. Some girls don’t like math. Is it sexist to say that? Is it sexist to let them express it? I thought the whole point was seeing women not as a certain stereotype and as themselves, whatever that may be.

I’m all for positive messages, but do we really need the lockstep thought police here? The outrage rubbed me the wrong way. 

Timothy Dalrymple said…

I'm not outraged, personally.  I don't mind the "allergic to algebra" one.  

I do -- without outrage -- dislike the "I'm too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me" shirt. I understand they can't say "so my sister has to do it for me," since sisters don't want to be told that they're not pretty (whereas, well, few brothers want to be pretty), but I do have to say it plays into the stereotype a bit too much of the pretty girl who can't or won't or shouldn't have to do homework.  It's not an awful stereotype -- I wouldn't say it's sexist, because it doesn't say "girls are dumb" -- but still not an impression I want to promote.  

Which is not to say that people should be prevented from making shirts like these, or people should pick up their pitchforks and storm J. C. Penney.  But it's probably not the best cultural influence.   

Jean Kingston said…

I'm sooo allergic to Christopher's algebra this year (7th grade). This problem was on one of the first homework assignments of the year (this is just the first part of the page.)  I photographed and sent it to John in VT after trying to figure it out with Christopher for 30 mins.

Give me one of those shirts -- I'd happily prance around in one to show my disdain for algebra.

And Rebecca - I wholeheartedly agree with you! 

John Wonderli said…

Looks like my sensibilities are tracking Jean and Rebecca again.

Jean, the basic formula for this problem is one that adds up consecutive numbers -- starting from figure one, each figure is increasing by one more than the increase of the previous figure. Through the magic of the interweb, I found that formula: n(n+1)/2.  

Now all you have to do is adjust for the fact that figure 1 is starting with 3 triangles instead of one (as if you were starting at 2 and adding 1+2, then going to 3 and adding 1+2+3).  So I think the formula you're looking for is (n+1)(n+2)/2.  See if that works. 

Rebecca Cusey said…

Ha. Hilarious, Jean.

My son's favorite shirt right now is bright orange and says "STATE PRISON" in big block letters. "Allergic to algebra" seems tame by comparison. He bought it when I wasn't there and have told him he can't wear it to school or church or anywhere I might see it. I am fully aware this only adds to the allure.

 He's a great kid and doesn't really think prison is cool. (I'm pretty sure.....hopefully.)  He thinks the irony is funny and likes peoples' reactions. Mixed with his 14 year old maturity level, it's the coolest thing since the invention of the iPod.

So don't worry about sexist anti-math shirts. It gets much, much worse. 

Jean Kingston said…

Thanks John!  We got the answer...it was just a long time coming for Christopher who's new to this and my fried brain cells!!  I'll put you on speed dial for this upcoming year - be ready. 

John Wonderli said…

You need to get a t-shirt for Christopher that says: 

My Parents are Too Dumb to do my Homework!

Rebecca Cusey said…

Now THAT would sell.

My son bought the shirt on a trip to Boston, by the way, so I blame y'all.

Jean Kingston said…

Haha!!

What group out there is going to support me in protest of such a shirt?

What about my self esteem as a failed helicopter parent??

John Kingston said…

While I appreciate the direction of the humor here -- and it is good and rich -- I want to bring to my lovely wife's attention that the way this was solved was by someone on this email thread (ahem), who was called in on this -- and provided the answer John did, with the wonders of the internet and the triangular theorem.

Jean Kingston said…

John just wants the shirt to read:

 My Mom is too dumb to do my homework.

John Wonderli said…

How about these:

My Parents are Honor Students at Cambridge Middle School

My Mom is Too Pretty to do my Homework

My Nanny got an A on my English Paper

My Dad is Too Rich to do my Homework

I Couldn't Do My Homework Because My Dad Was Too Busy Buying New Hampshire

What do you parents think?  Join our discussion below or on our Facebook page!