To be annoyed with this page on the Argos website

[Amummyatlast]

www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/33013388/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CToys%7C33006252/c_2/2%7C33006252%7CRole+play%7C33006815/c_3/3%7Ccat_33006815%7CShop%2C+cook%2C+clean+and+build%7C33013388.htm

YABU. Yes it's annoying that these images show perceptions to children, however it doesn't mean it's set in stone that girls can only play with cleaning toys and only boys can play with building toys. It's up to us as parents to tell our kids otherwise. Toy manufacturers don't have a mysoginistic agenda, it's just the way marketing works, and how they make money.

My DD 3 has said a few times when looking at toys "are these boy toys?" at the 'boys' (cars, dinosaurs etc) section. God knows where she's got it from probably my mother. Possibly marketing. But I tell her no, all the toys in the shop can be played by anyone who is the right age.

I do realise is is an unpopular MN opinion but I do think the girls toys/boys toys thing is blown out of proportion

FFS. All of you saying "It's not a big deal" should just Google everyday sexism.

I think I would like the kind of life where this sort of shit really matters yesser. I would like me some of that. Be thankful to the baby jebus that you have so little to worry about you have to make stuff up

YANBU at all

No, you're not being unreasonable. It reinforces sexist gender stereotyping. It doesn't seem like it's a big deal because it's a microaggression. But when you actually begin to notice how many instances of minor sexism et al there are it really builds up.

Exactly what gamerchick said.

People do have the capacity to care about multiple issues at the same time.

YANBU at all. As said upthread, gender stereotyping can have a huge impact on a child's expectations. It aligns certain roles with girls and others with boys. Can't bear it.

Yes because adults end up needing therapy for years as adults due to the pictures they saw in an Argos catalogue as a child... It's you as a parent that has the biggest impact on your child and what they learn...

Get a grip!

We'll soon see boys dressing up as fairies and girls as builders and people will then start moaning how boys being dressed in fairies is stereotyping and making it a 'boy thing' and vice versa!

YANBU.

What gamer said. Fgs you really need a life. Bet you thought 'oph something mn would love' and made a post.

I agree OP - it's insidious sexism and whilst of course parents have a role to play in ensuring their children are not subjected to negative beliefs from gender stereotypes this sort of thing doesn't help

I'm annoyed too op. If it didn't matter why have they done it, and keep doing it?

Snow your displeasure by 1. Not being it and 2. Telling them why not

soooo argos are labeling their role play toys and we are all getting our knickers in a twist because we think that's somehow impacting on gender roles in a modern society?

Did I get that right?

YANBU. I am amazed by people who don't think this is a problem. This is where gender stereotyping starts or is constantly reinforced. It cannot be left to parents to constantly challenge and explain this...most of us are ourselves affected too.

Not every parent/grandparent will challenge in any case. It is not possible to counter every image like this, every day, several times a day which is what it takes. Some girls are encouraged to play with construction toys, cars, dinosaurs etc but once beyond pre-school stage they become labelled as 'tomboys' so it is seen as something different from the norm and there is an underlying message that it is not entirely appropriate for 'proper' girls.

And if you were to link these images to career expectations and earnings it becomes even more disturbing.

OP - have you raised your concerns with Argos? What did they say?

OP you should check out www.lettoysbe toys.org.uk

And maybe tweet then the picture.

YANBU. These threads always make me laugh with all the people saying "it's just one picture". But it's not just one picture, it's absolutely everywhere children look THAT'S THE POINT. (And yes, check out Let Toys Be Toys).

Yanbu at all

Yabu

YABU because parents and family shape their children's world so this picture is only a problem if you reinforce that it's the only way they can grow.

My youngest daughter went to bed in 'boy' PJs last night because they were her favourite super hero - after a day of wearing the most ridiculously feminine dress she could find (despite the torrential rain).

She knows they are from the boy section of the shop and she also knows that anyone can wear them if they want.

None of this gender neutral fad that's going around just letting kids be kids.

Unfortunately people say "well it's up to parents" etc but given that all I see on Facebook is "can I have a highchair for a girl" etc etc, the reality is that a lot of parents have bought into this bollocks too.
This can also be seen in the replies above. YANBU. See let toys be toys and clothes be clothes.
It's not a fad either, this needs to be fought.

Here it is, btw...

Yanbu, but at least the cooking and shopping both have a girl and a boy on them

It's because they use an actor/model who would fit their target market, it doesn't mean the other gender can't play with them. They just use their target market, which again isn't ideal, as that shouldn't really be their target market, but it is. Yes, I think boys/girls are forced into the toys they should like, but there's still more boys who'd pick construction, and more girls who'd pick the cleaning toys. Even though, I think if we lived in a world where it never mattered, it wouldn't have ended up like that.

I agree OP. Aiming cleaning toys at girls (ugh!) and building toys at boys is like something is outdated sexist nonsense.