Dad slams ‘sexist’ Primark after his daughter, 6, refused to wear Star Wars T-shirt because it was in ‘just for boys’ section
A DAD has slammed Primark as sexist after his daughter refused to have a Star Wars T-shirt because it was in the boys' section.
Paul O'Connell's sci-fi mad girl Hayley, six, said she could not wear the film-themed clothes because signs and mannequins alongside them suggested they are "just for boys".
They saw the clothing range - produced to cash in on new blockbuster Star Wars: The Last Jedi - on sale at a Primark shop in Dublin where the chain is known as Penneys.
Paul, a freelance media researcher, offered to treat Hayley to a new T-shirt because she loves the films.
But she saw the tops and hoodies were in the boys section of the store. Alongside the rails of Star Wars clothes were two male dummies wearing the T-shirts and a large display ad featuring two boys in different clothes.
Dad-of-two Paul, 40, said: "My daughter loves unicorns, fairies and Star Wars but she wouldn't let me buy her a Star Wars T-shirt because the sign says they are just for boys.
"I told her it didn't matter where they were displayed but she didn't want me to buy her one.
"We asked an assistant why they were there but she couldn't give a proper answer and didn't seem bothered.
"I went in again last week and it was still the same."
Paul said Star Wars is "gender neautral" and he is baffled why merchandise is only marketed at boys.
He said: "In the original film Princess Leia is a girl who takes control and is the one who blasts a hole into the side of the garbage chute.
"In the latest films she's the general in charge of the entire army.
"I can't think of the last time I saw a Princess Leia t-shirt or one with Rey, the hero of the last movie.
"At the moment I have a little girl who likes everything but feels she can't wear a Star Wars t-shirt because of where it's displayed in the store.
"Setting clothing out like this says to kids and parents that they have to shop in this section and can't swap.
"She's six and feels these are rules she has to adhere to."
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Hayley added: "When we went to the shop we asked why the t-shirts were only in the boys' section because Star Wars and superheroes are not just for boys.
"It was just confusing, I didn't understand."
Primark said: "Primark prides itself on offering a diverse range of products and styles to suit a variety of ages and tastes.
"We welcome customer feedback on all our products and we have been in touch with the customer concerned."
Lego and jumpers are among the huge range of Star Wars products being sold as gifts this Christmas.
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