Toys
Today I asked Rob, "Why is it that all toys for girls seem to be designed to get them to think of themselves as shoppers?...And why am I asking that question?" Girls toys seem demeaning - dress like a slut and go to the mall lots. Yes, that is something to strive for. Or princesses - I hate the princess concept. What is a princess except someone who is born into money or marries it and works hard at looking pretty and attending functions?
I suppose most people don't think that these images and ideas will determine how a girls turns out, and they are right. Pop culture won't control a child, but you're sticking your head in the sand if you think there will be no influence. Companies don't spend billions of dollars on advertising including hiring top psychologists so that they won't have influence.
I was thinking about this after I noticed myself avoiding all licensed products for my girls but pouncing on the last pair of Lightning McQueen slippers for Conor. Some boys' products are at least associated with stories of action, of achievement, and sometimes even nobility. Besides, I can't wait to hear what he says about walking around with a pair of cars on his feet.
I suppose most people don't think that these images and ideas will determine how a girls turns out, and they are right. Pop culture won't control a child, but you're sticking your head in the sand if you think there will be no influence. Companies don't spend billions of dollars on advertising including hiring top psychologists so that they won't have influence.
I was thinking about this after I noticed myself avoiding all licensed products for my girls but pouncing on the last pair of Lightning McQueen slippers for Conor. Some boys' products are at least associated with stories of action, of achievement, and sometimes even nobility. Besides, I can't wait to hear what he says about walking around with a pair of cars on his feet.
posted by Jude | 9:36 PM
2 Comments:
For awhile Matt would walk around and declare that he was the king. In his mind that meant that he could do anything he wanted. We carefully explained (many, many times...)that being a king was, in fact, a great responsibility. The king had to make sure that all the people in his kingdom were taken care of. Perhaps if you gave the message of the responsibility that goes along with the princess perks of looking pretty...
I always hated the Disney message that princesses were just helpless creatures who were waiting for a prince to come and rescue them.
Lightning McQueen, yeah! Yu-Gi-Oh, not on your life! There's more stuff to be avoided for boys as they get older.
Mel - just a note of clarification, I didn't say all boys' toys were about positive attributes, I said "Some".
Interesting take on princesses, Cindy.
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