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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

'Let Toys Be Toys' Organising Thread - Part 2

458 replies

OneHandWavingFree · 02/12/2012 12:43

"Let Toys Be Toys - For Girls, and Boys" is a campaign started by a group of Mumsnetters, to convince retailers to categorise their toys by theme or function, rather than gender.

We're inviting everyone to 'like' us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@LetToysBeToys) and join us right here for discussion and collaborative decision-making about the next steps of our campaign.

Himalaya has been hard at work compiling the information gathered by our fantastic LTBT Mystery Shoppers, and we will be agreeing right here how the surveys will be ranked, which retailers we will be targetting with our message, and how we will go about it.

If you think that girls and boys should feel free to play with whatever toys that interest them most, and that they shouldn't walk into a toy store and feel pressurised to conform into archaic gender roles and stifling stereotypes, please join in the discussion!

OP posts:
ParsingFancy · 06/12/2012 13:00

Q: 'But parents can ignore the labelling and buy a "girls'" toy for boys if they want it.'

A: "You've just acknowledged that both boys and girls will want the toy, so the label is meaningless anyway. And unfortunately, labelling isn't harmless, as the children pick up the stereotyping, and like the son of one of our campaigners, will be too embarrassed to ask for a dolls house."

TheJoyfulChristmasJumper · 06/12/2012 13:00

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TheJoyfulChristmasJumper · 06/12/2012 12:58

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ConsiderCasey · 06/12/2012 12:36

I'm just writing a FAQ document for our media pack where I want to address the common criticisms / questions that have come up in the course of our campaign,

(eg. Why are you trying to force children to play with toys they don't want? Aren't there more important things to worry about? etc .....)

so that we have a set of standard answers and to give us more confidence. Can anyone think of any, from this thread or that you have heard in your talkings with friends/family?

Thanks Xmas Smile

ConsiderCasey · 06/12/2012 12:32

Yes I hate that advert too. When does grown up = wearing high heels?

5madthings · 06/12/2012 11:34

Just sern a crap advert for petite filous or munch bunx yogurt.

Lityle girls todling around in mummies high heels and boys lifting pretend weights tag line let them grow uo to be just lije you and they say boys big and strong like daddy. Not sure what the voice over said re the little girl in the heels....presumabky she wants to give herself a bad back and corns just like mummy....

MMMarmite · 06/12/2012 11:33

Himalaya, I have some free time at the moment and am happy to help with numbercrunching, pm me if there's anything I can do.

ParsingFancy · 06/12/2012 11:30

Sorry, don't want to clog up the organising thread with examples, but these "literacy aids" are so breathtakingly outrageous I think they're quite a good illustration:

Complement your National Literacy range with these favourite Girls words
Complement your National Literacy range with these favourite Boys words

ParsingFancy · 06/12/2012 11:15

Are the male dancers and judges on Strictly any good for the tweet list?

ParsingFancy · 06/12/2012 11:13

Don't know if this group might be an interesting contact: Boys Do Ballet Too.

Started after the founder visited friends:
"The youngest boy had just started dancing too and really loved it. I was reminded of my own passion for dance at his age.
"I stopped by the bookshop at the Palais Garnier to try and find him a suitable book. To my shock, I found that all the books aimed at children were covered in pink and pictures of ribbons and tutus. And, worse, not a single one contained an illustration of a boy dancing or any reference to the fact that men are just as important in ballet as women."

nickelbabylyinginamanger · 06/12/2012 10:41

i found this group on fb
:)

TheJoyfulChristmasJumper · 06/12/2012 10:19

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LadyKinbote · 06/12/2012 01:31

Himalaya - when you get the chance, let us know which surveys are outstanding. Thanks.

Himalaya · 05/12/2012 23:53

Feelathome - on the number crunching - yes need some help and others inputs - have just got a bit stuck for time.

Will try to have something to share over the weekend.

Bear with me (and keep doing more surveys!)

WineGless · 05/12/2012 22:47

Well done newsworthy

feelathome · 05/12/2012 20:53

Billie Piper and Karen Gillan?

LadyKinbote · 05/12/2012 20:28

Life is fairly hectic at the moment but I'll do what I can! I'll send a FB message.

5madthings · 05/12/2012 20:22

Happy to.do.radio and get involved with newspaper stories etc just not tv!

You did great newsworthy i really thought radio guy was a bit of a jobsworth. companies pat mases to advertise and to retailers for product placement etc, they do it because it works! You would have to be incredibly naive to.think rhat doesnt have an impact on children!

Btw thats a point i meant to mention, some brands etc will pay or dictate to retailers whete and how they can stick.products ie whi h shelf it is on, what it is placed next to. I have no.idea how much toy companies do this btw.

TheJoyfulChristmasJumper · 05/12/2012 20:19

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TheJoyfulChristmasJumper · 05/12/2012 20:19

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Newsworthy · 05/12/2012 20:13

I think we need more than one spokesperson both for logistical reasons and to reflect that it is a group project.

I know OHWF wants to speak, and can do Ireland TV + radio.

trishawisha, ashesgirl, Aufaniae, ConsiderCasey, Himalaya, MurderofGoths, onehandwavingfree are the FB + twitter admins and have been coordinating the media response today. We could do with a few more joining this media SWAT team

Anyone who can help on the media speaking/ outreach/coordinating side please put your hand up, and send a FB message to lettoysbetoys.

TheJoyfulChristmasJumper · 05/12/2012 20:10

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ConsiderCasey · 05/12/2012 19:54

Oh loridie, I'm a bit scared about tweeting Brian Cox! He's like a god in our family! Someone give me some wordage!!

TheJoyfulChristmasJumper · 05/12/2012 19:45

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ConsiderCasey · 05/12/2012 19:27

the Dr Laura Nelson part of the interview.

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