To feel uncomfortable about gender representation in kids toys?

[stereeotype]

I was looking for a birthday gift and have to say the shopping made me feel...slightly uncomfortable on how badly the toy options played into gender stereotypes. I haven't looked for a kids present for years as I don't have children, but I think I'd be frustrated if I did!

I would go as far as to say I found it disturbing. There was relatively little of use in the 'pink' section and nothing but practical/technical learning material amongst the boys.

Now I appreciate you don't have to buy girls toys for girls and boys for boys - but a girl is likely going to assume she subconsciously wants the girls toys as there are pictures of girls all over the boxes so likely to veer towards those.

Also, why can't the girl section appear girly but the actual toy still be of use, not just a dolls head for hairdressing or a kitchen for cooking?

Can't believe it's 2021 and we are still dealing with this.

It's not about getting everything a child asks for but about not having something that's never going to get used. The amount of Christmas threads on here about people and the 'unwanted' Christmas gifts that go straight in the charity shop pile (and that's adults !).
You don't have to ask "what does X want?" but "what is X into these days".

@Legoisthebest well when I'm frantically searching stores last minute you don't always have time for that!

Could you not have sent a quick text message?
"Hey there I am going shopping for X's pressy. What's she into these days?"

It can still be a surprise to the child. You find out child is into star wars... You get something to do with that. Peppa pig... Whatever. It doesnt have to be something they've specifically asked for.

It's not about getting everything a child asks for but about not having something that's never going to get used

Some of the best presents my kids got was stuff that none of us would have even thought of. They got some weird plastic connecting things once, probably the most played/built with thing ever.

These- they’ve been everything from baskets to balls and other shapes to ropes and connectors.

Interestingly neutral colours and boy and girl on the box…

Nomore yes that does happen sometimes but it can be a risk buying random.
But then again I really like doing childrens crafts and the amount of un opened and un used sets I buy from charity shops is great

My DD was my firstborn and she never once played with girly crap.

chilli did she ever play with good quality girly toys?
Or good quality boyish toys or was boyish 'crap' allowed?

OK i will rephrase. She didn't play with pink glittery tat or barbies etc. She played with lot of lego (not friends) and Hot wheels. She had a train set and she also enjoyed craft sets. Oh and she wore underpants because all the knickers had fairies and peppa pig etc on whereas DD wanted Thomas the Tank Engine :)

But what makes Barbie 'crap'? She isn't to everyone's taste but she has frequently had many many careers and she has stayed an independent woman (never actually married Ken). She has dozens of friends of all shapes and colours (the fashionista range).

Some of the Barbie Fashionista collection dolls are awesome.

@Legoisthebest

But what makes Barbie 'crap'? She isn't to everyone's taste but she has frequently had many many careers and she has stayed an independent woman (never actually married Ken). She has dozens of friends of all shapes and colours (the fashionista range).

Because Barrie is very much about a certain look that isn't healthy for girls to aspire to IMO.

She appears to be focused on her looks, which is what I wish women didn't have to focus on so much.

I had Barbie dolls as a child back in the 80s as did several of my friends. We never aspired to look like her. Infact we took the piss out of how silly her body was. We would walk around on tippy toe (because her feet were moulded for wearing high heels), have our arms bent and strut around pushing our (non existent then) boobs out going "look at me I'm Barbie, my boobs are so big I will topple over".
I have never met a kid who actually wants to look like Barbie !!

Barbie is more about careers than looks these days.

"Barbie's Coolest Jobs" www.insider.com/barbies-coolest-jobs-2019-3

Her loyalty to jobs though is poor as she jumps from career to career Cosy.

My DD loves her barbie and dolls... and wants to be a Navy Engineer when she grows up currently. Liking pink doesn't seem to have affected her... I was the same. I even had a wall to wall pink barbie bedroom... and have a MEng.

@Legoisthebest

Her loyalty to jobs though is poor as she jumps from career to career Cosy.

Lol. Terrible role model

@Nyfluff

What do you mean by none of the toys are "of use"?

Hi @Nyfluff, I think in conversations about children's toys, "of use" is understood to mean "of use to the greater society" vs "of use primarily within one's individual home with the main purpose typically of child-raising, cooking and cleaning" So for example, boys toys would typically be of use to the wider society. Learning to use a digger so that you can fix a road that multiple people can use in every day life. Playing with an airport that multiple people would use in every day life. And for example, girls toys would be baking so that you can bake for your family. Hair styling toy so you can learn to style your child's hair. Playing with babies so that you can take care of just your own baby.

The example of girls toys above are still "of use" but typically these toys are for girls to be in the home. And the boys toys are of use for a life outside of the home.

I could be wrong that this is the intention of the OP. But this is what I have come to understand this phrase to mean generally.

All the best

@LemonDrizzles thanks for your explanation, it is what I meant. The girls toys are gearing the girls up for the weekend traditional house type roles we are used to being stereotyped into

I have a daughter and she actually liked playing with dolls, model kitchens and ponies. Shock horror! Whatever will become of her!

And by the way, I was obsessed with "Barbie" when I was a little girl and have gown up to be an independent career woman in a very high-sress environment on a six figure salary. Surprisingly, it didn't damage me that I liked pink and sparkle.

This thread is ridiculous

I cannot remember what toys I played with so it can't have scarred me for life. But I'll bet there was a bit of pink in there

Stereeotype I am still curious how 'useful' you think popular 'boys' toys are. Not sure how many boys grow up to become a Marvel superhero or join the Jedi or be a Pokémon trainer.

@Legoisthebest

Stereeotype I am still curious how 'useful' you think popular 'boys' toys are. Not sure how many boys grow up to become a Marvel superhero or join the Jedi or be a Pokémon trainer.

Well those characters encourage strength don't they? These again are qualities that are useful.

The women's characters are generally pretty, feminine etc. Not so useful.