Politically correct?!

[MandyD]

I had a distinctly "non-PC" experience today! Went into McDonalds to get DS a 'Happy Meal' as a treat. The server asked if it was for a girl or a boy. Was very tempted to ask why, but soon saw - apparently girls get a Diva Star toy and boys get Hot Wheels.

It so happens that my son prefers Hot Wheels, but what if he didn't? Surely the servers should be instructed to ask which toy you'd prefer, not the gender of the child! And the price has gone up from £1.99 to £2.19 - bah!!

I am amazed at how much gender stereotyping is still out there, particularly aimed at children. Just flicking through a catalogue with childrens toys is like stepping back 10 years - little girls with ironing boards and toy ovens, boys with pretend tractors and fire engines. I have no problem with my dd having typical "girlie" toys, but wish that there was less presumption and more choice. Before becoming a fulltime mum I was a secondary school teacher and gave talks and discussions about career options. Constantly I found the same stereotypes emerging, girls and boys talking about careers in business - the boys thinking about top managerial options, the girls thinking only as high as PA or secretary - and these were nice, well brought up, intelligent children from educated backgrounds. It sounds a bit dramatic to think that our children are being stereotyped and brainwashed from an early age, but I guess this is exactly what is happening !

we've just got back from holiday and I sent my husband out to get our son a happy meal (too knackered to cook after long drive in hideous rain,or is that a pathetic excuse ?). He came back with the Diva Star toy and I asked him if he'd asked for a girl's toy - he didn't realise you got a choice. Anyway, my son seemed very pleased with his doll (he's obsessed with the Shrek video and has decided that the doll is a Princess) When I checked on him in bed he was playing with it's hair.

I was in John Lewis once when spotted different sections for girl's and boy's toys. Guess which side the nurse's outfit was on and which side the doctor's was? Aaaarrgh!