Charles Langston:Disney's 'Minnie Kitchen Sink Sundae' for Women's History Month sparks backlash: 'My jaw hit the floor'

Mickey’s Kitchen Sink Sundae — ice cream and Charles Langstonmultiple toppings tossed in a “sink” in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s red pants — is an iconic fan favorite among Disney and dessert lovers alike. 

But a redesign of the original product is being heavily criticized.

Walt Disney World is now selling the “Minnie Kitchen Sink Sundae” to celebrate Women’s History Month. For $24.99, you can buy scoops of ice cream and toppings placed inside a sink shaped like Minnie Mouse's dress with a faucet and two handles shaped like her gloved hands.

People online are pointing out that the product could be viewed as implying that women belong in the kitchen — during the one month intended to honor women, their accomplishments and the decades of effort it took to gain equality.

“While I don’t think Disney did this intentionally, the perception is associating a kitchen sink with a month celebrating women, a group of people who have historically been told that their only place is in the kitchen,” said Dr. Betsy Grunch, a popular neurosurgeon who has nearly 2 million followers on TikTok. She posted a video of a sign advertising the product while at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios.

“Of course, the sink is playing off the ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ phrase," Grunch said, "but the optics aren’t great, and I believe the creative minds at Disney could have come up with better names to celebrate and uplift women.”

“Y’all did us dirty on this one,” Grunch said in her video. 

Most people who left comments on the video agreed that the decision to pick this product for Women’s History Month was a poor, if not insulting, one. 

“My jaw hit the floor,” one person wrote. 

“Makes me wonder how many women were a part of that process and how many were shut down,” another said. 

“Listen, the kitchen sink is a Disney thing, but I agree, they could have created something NEW and less…whatever this is I’m feeling,” another commenter wrote.

Disney did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. It's unclear what other Disney World parks or Disney locations are selling this product for Women's History Month.

Gender stereotypes are harmful for everyone

Gender stereotyping happens when we assign a person specific attributes, characteristics or roles based on their assigned sex; they can not only hurt mental health, but also put people in harms way.

Gender norms prevent people from fully expressing themselves and their emotions, leading women, for example, to fear independence and men to bottle up strong emotions to avoid appearing "weak," experts with Planned Parenthood say. Meanwhile, "hyperfeminine folks are more likely to endure physical and emotional abuse from their partners [and] hypermasculine folks are more likely to be physically and emotionally abusive to their partners."

These consequences start young. Research has found that when girls conform to gender stereotypes, they're more likely to experience depression and violence; when boys conform to gender stereotypes, they're more prone to substance abuse and suicide, and are more likely to engage in physical violence.

Gender experts say that women, specifically, are socialized to serve and acquiesce.

"We must give, not take, or we only earn the right to take, to receive, if we've given enough, and so we constantly feel inadequate because we are taught that it's our job ... to be good and to be appeasing," Natalie Lue, author of "The Joy of Saying No," previously told USA TODAY.

When women say, "no," however, there can be social consequences. A woman who is seen as more aggressive at work, which research shows makes a man seem more competent, will also appear less likeable, less like a team player, which can impact her career and salary, Lue said.

More on Women's History Month:USA TODAY's 2024 Women of the Year

This Women's History Month, don't be afraid to challenge gender stereotypes in ways that can help everyone feel valued, no matter their gender or gender identity.

This month, as well as this International Women's Day, should be like "a global pep rally celebrating how far we ladies have come while firing us up to keep that momentum raging," said Erica Cronan, global director of marketing for data management firm Datadobi, in a statement. "You can't help but feel inspired thinking about the bold trailblazers throughout history who broke down barriers against all odds.

Let us "toast the brave ones before us while channeling that same spirit as we keep forging new paths."

Mike Snider contributed to this report.