Poor Angelina Jolie. She drops a few sound bites about her kid and they get recycled for weeks (years, in internet time). According to Life&Style, Angelina is (still) a terrible mom for letting Shiloh dress like a boy, but an even worse mom for talking about it. In addition to the usual veiled homophobia and gender role hysteria the tabloids spout every time little Shiloh dons a polo shirt, Life&Style is also claiming that Angelina has been using her daughter to promote Salt. That wouldn’t be so bad, according to Life&Style, if she would use her other kids equally. The magazine interviewed a psychotherapist who indicated that rest of the Brangie brood could be heartbroken to learn that no tabloids are currently speculating on their daring fashion choices.

“It’s important to talk about the kids equally so each child feels equally acknowledged and validated”, said psychotherapist Jenn Berman. Note to Life&Style: you have the power to change this situation. Next time Pax wears a leather jacket, how about a headline that reads “Is Angelina Encouraging Pax to Join a Biker Gang?” Also, I hear Zahara likes to wear black clothes, just like her mom. You could turn her into a disturbed emo goth. And what about the twins? They’re probably doing all sorts of crazy things, like sucking their thumbs (surely a precursor to smoking) and parading around town in…diapers. There’s got to be something there. Angelina might not be spreading the infamy equally, but I know you care, Life&Style, and I think you owe these kids at least a little more effort.   

How many of us can remember the childhood joy of discovering a new game, toy, or outfit, only to have been told, “You can’t do that! That’s for boys/girls”? Well, if you’re lucky enough to have Angelina Jolie as a mom, that’s not the kind of thing you’re going to hear from her. Intense bedtime stories about struggling refugees, yes, but nobody's going to tell Shiloh what to wear.

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