I think what athome was talking about is the overwhelming marketing of stereotyped products. Sure you can buy a simple red bike. But our little girls, in particular, are being bombarded with princess products by advertisers. 

Personally, the princess thing turns my stomach. I wish it would go away. Sure I don't lose sleep over it but to me it's as distasteful as pants below your butt on teenaged boys (admittedly a different issue, but for comparison's sake...).  

The world isn't going to change to suit me but I can't help wishing that Madison Avenue didn't have such a stranglehold on our culture.