Car repair? That's for boys. That look on his face says: "I'm thinking about overcharging you."

Cooking and cleaning? That's for girls. The young lady on the left might also be discovering that a frying pan can double as a weapon, but that's for advanced users.

Grilling? That's for boys. Even though cooking on a stove is for girls, if you cook with fire, you're following our ancestor, Homo Erectus. Early Man, not Early Woman!

Playing with your food is something both girls and boys can do; although only girls work at McDonald's.

Related: When I was four, I loved McDonald's intensely and thought it was a burger and shake heaven on earth. So when a teacher asked me — the only black kid in my pre-k class — what I wanted to do when I grew up, I said "work at McDonald's." My mom witnessed this interaction and, I think, almost died of disappointment.

Being a pretty princess, wearing make-up and jewelry? That's for girls.

And just because you're a princess doesn't mean you shouldn't bake, make toast or blend a smoothie. Duh. That's what girls do.

A plush pet condo, for girls ages 2 and up. Because it's never too early to be a crazy cat lady!

Something all girls look forward to: Graduating from a baking princess to a Queen Of Clean. Maybe someday she'll be in one of those sad mop commercials Sarah Haskins is always making fun of.

Don't tell Danica Patrick, but car racing is for boys. Falling in love is for girls.

Sports are for boys.

Except soccer. Girls can play soccer. And whatever that other thing is.

OMG progress: Girls can be doctors! Or star in primetime medical dramas!

But boys can be paleontologists, truckers, law enforcement officials or doctors.

Lilly's Kids [Official Site]

Earlier: All previous catalog posts

Apart from the scandalously high hemlines, it's hard to see where they're putting the "teen" in Teen Vogue in this shoot. This doesn't look like something a 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 year old would wear. Any older than that and you're reading regular Vogue, no? Also: The hair. The hair! Please explain the hair. Someone. Please.

There are no prices printed for this ensemble, but since the designers are Karen Walker, Phillip Lim and Lulu Guinness, it's safe to say recreating this would be expen$ive. One could definitely get those pants and a band jacket at the Salvation Army, but that wouldn't be very Teen Vogue, now would it?

Please note that she is carrying nothing but rubber ducks in her purse. The recession has really hit hard. Hopefully I can buy a bagel with Post-It notes.

Finally! An ensemble I understand. It's the I-just-rolled-out-of-bed-and-threw-a-jacket-over-my-nightgown-and-grabbed-my-sparkly-purse-from-last-night look. Been there.

Teen Vogue [Official Site]

David Bowie, of course.

Klaus Nomi.

David Lynch.

David Byrne.

David Bowie. Again.

Boy George.

Cousin Itt.

Earlier: Model Agyness Deyn Works Her "Magic" For Neiman Marcus

Ms. Bierly points out that Ms. Thompson thinks some actors are "seasoning well" (Will Smith, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, George Clooney) but the studios still "outsource" "rugged" roles. But a post over at Sugarbutch Chronicles questions the American vision of "masculinity" itself. Does being "male" mean "strength" and "brawn"?

Just as we would probably dispute any argument which equates femininity with softness or weakness, shouldn't we also pause before believing that a "real" man is brawny and tough? Sugarbutch blog has a video by Sanjay Newton (posted below) examining masculinity in Disney films. These are movies that kids watch over and over; and the "real" men have huge biceps, aren't afraid to fight, and dominate their opponents easily. Male characters who are fat or skinny (and not the brawny ideal) are comic outcasts; male characters who refuse to fight are pathetic.

So instead of wondering where all the "manly" men are, shouldn't we just accept that what it means to be "masculine" is changing? Do you think American actors aren't "macho" enough? Would you rather see rugged, square-jawed imports like Clive Owen instead? (I think I already know the answer to that!)

This Just In: American Actors Not Manly Enough [EW]
U.S. Short On Tough Guy Actors [Variety]
Masculinity Depictions In Disney Films [Sugarbutch Chronicles]
Sexism, Strength and Dominance: Masculinity in Disney Films [You Tube]

10. Go Topless
Anderson writes, "Sure, women can go topless on the beach, but we can do it whenever and wherever we please." Women are not encouraged to be topless in this culture, but there are plenty of places on this earth where it doesn't matter, including St. Tropez and Papua New Guinea. In any case, clothing is one of the traits that separates us from the animals, so who cares? Ladies like wearing cute stuff, anyway.
TIE

9. Hold Our Liquor
Yes, a woman's body chemistry means that she reacts to alcohol differently. But plenty of women hold their liquor. Anyone want to challenge Anderson to a drink off?
TIE

8. Manscape
Haha. Beards? Really? You can have 'em.
ADVANTAGE: MEN

7. Navigate Spatially
Anderson writes, "Men are much better at seeing things as they really are — in 3-D." Doesn't mean women can't navigate. They just do it differently.
TIE

6. Shave Our Heads
Anderson mentions Natalie Portman, Sigourney Weaver and Demi Moore, as well as Britney. And yet he says: "Guys wear bald better." In a battle between George Costanza and Sinead O'Conner, she wins. Sorry. Also, black women have been rocking the shorn look for years and it works.
TIE

5. Play Real Sports
"We understand that women play plenty of sports and, yes, they are good athletes, but their sports are a snoozefest to watch," writes Anderson. Right back at ya!
TIE

4. Fertilize Eggs Sure, okay. But without eggs to fertilize, where would you be? Also, this: "Yes, our swimmers are under siege from early scientific studies that show women can create sperm from their own bone marrow. And of course, studies are also underway to grow babies out of the womb. Are these studies headed by lesbians?" is offensive, not funny.
ADVANTAGE: MEN, but barely

3. Pee Standing Up
One word: Shenis. Next!
TIE

2. Fuck Things
Wait, what? Men fuck and women get fucked? Not buying it. A woman can be a fucker, and a man can be a fuckee. Having the ability to stick your penis in something isn't always a worthwhile skill, as the people who have had their dicks sucked into vacuum cleaners can attest.
TIE

1. Age Well
"Sorry ladies, all your creams, moisturizers and youth-in-a-bottle remedies have nothing on us," Anderson says. "Our male hormones give us thicker skin, which means we get fewer wrinkles and our skin stays younger longer. While women have Joan Rivers to look forward to, we have Sean Connery."
Two words: Helen Mirren.
TIE

Top 10: Things Only Men Can Do [AskMen.com]

A story in today's Times Of London asks, "Are gentlemen a dying breed?" The author, William Drew, writes that when his grandfather died, people remembered him as a "true gent." "The act of being a gentleman transcends conventionality and surely goes some way beyond basic good manners," Drew claims. "My grandfather was not only impeccably polite, he was genuinely interested in others, whatever their place in society, and frequently made people feel quite special through his attention." What's interesting about the concept of a "gentleman" is that (in my opinion) when a girl is told to be ladylike, it means "shut up and look pretty." Whereas "acting like a gentleman" is a wonderful thing. But there is something to be said about being polite, about treating your fellow humans with respect. Is being a "gentleman" the only way?

After the sexual revolution, after the protesting (I am woman, hear me roar), after the unisex clothing (jeans for everyone!), do we need new guidelines on what it means to be a "a lady"? Looking to Lady Victoria Hervey (here she is in Cannes) doesn't exactly help.

The Times article has ten ways to be a modern gentleman:

1. Say please and thank you and ask questions about other people rather than talk about yourself; 2. Be punctual; 3. Be environmentally aware (but not obnoxious); 4. Open doors for people and stand up when they enter a room, but do this for men as well as women. The modern gentleman doesn't treat women like porcelain; 5. Be modest. 6. Be a good father. Nothing is less charming than a man who leaves childcare to women; 7. Be honest about wherever you have come from in life; 8. Flirt - with everyone. Good flirting is a form of politeness. Pay compliments and put your companion at ease; 9. Do not phone/text/check your BlackBerry incessantly; 10. Dress tidily. Whatever style you are going for, scruffiness just isn't in.

What are the new rules of behaving in a "ladylike" manner?

Some are the same, some are different. Here's my list:

1. Say please and thank you and ask questions about other people rather than talk about yourself.
2. Be punctual
3. Be environmentally aware
4. Open doors for people. If a man opens a door for you, be sure to thank him. If he doesn't, open the door for him and smile brightly. He will feel like a cad.
5. Be modest. And if someone compliments you, take it well: With a smile and a thank you.
6. Be a good mother by being good to yourself? (I'm open to a new #6.)
7. Be honest about wherever you have come from in life and treat royalty and maids the same: politely.
8. Flirt - with everyone. Flirting is polite. It's also stress-reducing to chit chat about the weather or tell your cashier that you love her nails. Let it out!
9. Do not phone/text/check your BlackBerry incessantly
10. Dress tidily. Ladylike no longer means skirts and gloves, but when you have respect for yourself, others will respect you.

I also think learning to argue politely and stick up for yourself politely could be on this list. Any other suggestions?

Are gentlemen a dying breed? [Times]
Related: Lady Victoria Hervey Stuns Cannes With A Dress That's Barely There [Daily Mail]

"We felt like outsiders," said Horning, but "[Harriet taught us] we could be ourselves and survive." That message was an important one to young readers, and parenting blog Babble points out that Harriet paved the way for "beloved, fiesty girls" like Ramona Quimby, Eloise, Olivia, and Junie B. Jones. (But don't call them "tomboys." Apparently that term has term has been proclaimed sexist by a professor at Sarah Lawrence). The thing is, Babble writer Hannah Tennant-Moore then claims that "There remain few correspondingly gender-bending role models for boys. While it's become much more acceptable for girls to do traditionally masculine activities like play sports and crack smart aleck jokes, it remains largely taboo for young boys to play house, dress up, or quietly play with dolls."

I have to disagree with her. What about all the Roald Dahl heroes? I don't remember Charlie Bucket as a stereotypically wise-cracking main character. He loved his grandparents, wanted to help his mother, and was almost painfully earnest. What about James and his Giant Peach? Can you think of any other "gender bending" male young adult mainstays?

Unapologetically Harriet, The Misfit Spy [NPR]
Gender Roles In Children's Literature

Earlier: The Long Secret: CSI: Puberty