I think Mothercare's toy display reinforces outdated gender stereotypes

[plumrose]

I went in to mothercare recently to buy a present for my friend's first grandchild. I noticed the toys were displayed as 'girls' and 'boys' toys with large signage on the wall above. I could not believe this could be acceptable. I have sent a facebook message to mothercare and the response I got makes it clear they will not pay attention to my one message. Please get out there and either contact this retailer or boycott them until they stop this retrograde and frankly offensive way of displaying their toys.

[MutantFuckerAndProud]

My relative isn't wrong. It's mothercare policy and certainly I've been on a few mc stores in my time and have never seen the toys displayed this way.

If the store is displayed like this then I suggest you contact their head office, they're normally very helpful and would be horrified to hear about this.

[MutantFuckerAndProud]

I've had bad experience with using social media to contact companies to make complaints which is why I have suggested contacting head office, I know you've already contacted them by FB.

[Crowler]

How does a child's name relate to this discussion?

[gemmal88]

I've noticed this come up time and time again recently and I really cannot see why people get on their high horse about it!

My daughter loves disney princesses, Barbie and pink.

She also loves playing with cars, handy manny and is obsessed with bob the builder.

I think it's unreasonable to be offended by displays for boys and girls toys, I really do. Kids play with what they play with if they are given the choice by their parents.

[KittyLane1]

I didn't mean it in a sarcastic way, the way these posts usually go is it starts off about a sign and becomes "MY boy only wears Hello Kitty, he LOVES his princess dresses and dolls how DARE anyone tell him he is wrong" fair enough and I believe squashing gender stereotypes begins at home so telling your own children that a toy is a toy and everything is unisex however I often wonder what these parents who positively live for the chance to explain that dd loves dinosaurs actually call their kids, if you know, everything is unisex?

[Crowler]

I don't like gender stereotyping of toys, I would like my kids to choose things based on their interest.

I chose my kids' names based on aesthetics and they're not gender neutral.

I don't have a problem with dresses or pink or blue or any of the above. I just don't like restricting choices based on gender (and creating more marketing opportunities for clothing/toy manufacturers, as discussed above). I also don't like the fact that they relentlessly bombard kids with images and rely upon them to harangue their parents into buying stuff.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

I've never known a child refuse a toy based on gender that did not have a parent/ grandparent who activly reinforced that some toys and colours are just for boys or girls.

Children who don't have concerns about 'catching the gay' rammed down their throats tend to just play quite happily with anything that comes to hand.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I just don't like restricting choices based on gender

yes - or even guiding choices based on gender. If you've got a kid of infant school age who has had a party, I'll bet that many of the gifts were chosen more by gender than with much consideration of what the individual child would really like. Hence my DDs drawer of unloved Barbies (those we couldn't regift to friends who did like them)

[ErrolTheDragon]

I've never known a child refuse a toy based on gender that did not have a parent/ grandparent who activly reinforced that some toys and colours are just for boys or girls.

And where do those parents/grandparents get their daft ideas from? Anything that reinforces them isn't helpful.

[plumrose]

I posted this and would like to say that when my daughter started school and wanted a pink and frilly bedroom she had it. I never stopped either of my children from choosing what they wanted based on gender whether I thought their choice was stereotypical or not. It is not true to say that unless the parents/grandparents reinforce it then the child will not refuse a toy based on gender. Once they go out into the world of mothers and toddlers, nursery, playgroups and school they will be exposed to other influences. I do believe that ultimately the biggest influence when they grow up will be the attitudes at home but in between they will be influenced by other adults and by peers.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Well errol, some parents and grandparents are not that bright.

[plumrose]

My son still told me that boys don't cry when he got to around age 7 - something he never heard at home.

[Crowler]

Right Errol, guide is a much better choice of word.

Sockreturningpixie, I tried to keep the toys gender neutral as far as was practical for as long as I could, and my kids' grandparents are all sensible. My two boys have a highly attuned "girl" radar. Admittedly it's getting slightly better now that my oldest is 11 and developing some higher-order thinking skills (one hopes) and my youngest follows his cues. But it was hard going in this department for several years.

[plumrose]

Yes Crowler I had a similar experience except had a girl and a boy. They were close and tended to play with the same toys and both would dress up the same until my son went to school. We then had several years of him being very conscious of anything that was for girls and believing sterotypes about behaviour too. Thankfully now that he is a young man he is once more open minded and very conscious of issues around gender and equality but I agree it can be very hard going!

[wamabama]

Oh it's not like that in our local Mothercare/ELC at all. It's all just put into sections of what the toys are so the kitchens and cash registers in one section, Happyland in another, baby toys in another etc.

Went into The Entertainer toy shop and that is badly seperated into boys and girls. I was so shocked that my 3 yo DS took note of it and kept saying afterwards "pink is for girls, dolls are for girls" etc, I nearly cried. Won't be going in there again!

[Mylovelyboy]

I have noticed there is a lot of discussion about this gender thing at the moment. It seems like a new fashion. I really can't see the issue. Its certain parents that are making a big thing about it when there really isn't one. anyone

[ErrolTheDragon]

I have noticed there is a lot of discussion about this gender thing at the moment. It seems like a new fashion.

Its because of the current trends in merchandise and marketing which are acting retrogressively against progress towards gender equality.

[Mylovelyboy]

Errol -- I cant see the issue myself. There are so many more important issues in this world. If the kids are happy that's the most important thing. If girls want all pink and boys want all blue then so what. If a girl has a plastic kitchen and a boy has a truck does it really matter. Is it going to change them as adults. As long as they are healthy, happy and bought up with respect that's all that matters. Pink/Blue Girls stuff/Boys stuff. Who gives a stuff........ Another thing. I work in an office with all blokes. Im the only one that makes the tea. Would never even consider that this is NOT gender equality. I think people need to lighten up on this one.

[ErrolTheDragon]

You don't think it matters that the stereotyped toys have the girls doing all the housework and childcare and worrying their pretty little heads about fashion whereas the boys get to build things and drive cars and be scientists etc?

I work in an office with all blokes. Im the only one that makes the tea. Would never even consider that this is NOT gender equality Unless you're the only one that drinks tea, how on earth does that come to pass?

[TheDoctrineOfWho]

Wamabama, when all the kitchens are grouped together, is there a pink one next to a blue one? Or are they actually kitchen coloured?

[Coupon]

I have noticed there is a lot of discussion about this gender thing at the moment. It seems like a new fashion.

No, sexism and women fighting it are as old as the hills!

[TheDoctrineOfWho]

Because it's brilliant.

1981 Lego ad

[Mylovelyboy]

Errol funny you should mentioned scientists. In my profession (Laboratory Sales) I deal with scientists everyday. They are men and women. And both sexes are very very clever people. Would mention, I drive a car as do many women, I do the housework, I also do my own DIY and have my own tool box. I do my own decorating, I mended my washing machine not so long ago (googled the problem), got my screwdriver out and sorted it. I get my head under the bonnet of the car when it needs oil. I do everyday stuff that men and women do. (I am a single mum so have to (and like to) I was bought up with dolls/plastic kitchens and pink. Did me no harm. Men and women can be equal if they choose to be. There are no set rules and I dont think there needs to be an issue about it. Just get on with it...........she says in her pink sparkly dress as she gets her tool box out

[Mylovelyboy]

Just one quick question. What is it that some of you want to be equal in. What is it that you dont like. Im not troll hunting here but cant see what is getting your goats.