A quick rant...why oh why is everything in the ELC summer catalogue suddenly gender specific?

[tassis]

tunnels, tents, swimming rings, arm bands, paddling pools, bubble machines etc etc

why are they all either pink and flowery or blue with vehicles on?

am I the only cheapskate who wants to buy for my ds and for my dd to like them next summer?

well, im not worked up enough to rant about it, but i do agree that everything being so gender specific is, um, a bit off really.

im just glad i only have boys, if this is the way the world is to be, coz id much rather have cars, tractors, blues, greens and reds, than sickly pink glitter and flowery embroidery on everything. yeaurch!

i was at a family wedding in NI a year or two back and my auntie was lamenting that she couldnt get my 9yo tomboy cousin to wear heels and short skirts. er.... shes 9 and prefers to be in trackies than dressed like a mini sex object..I'd be pleased!
nutter.

oh i agree, everything is pink or blue.
i bought pinbk table and chair after all fuss, and luckily i didnt buy easel last year, this year they do the plastic easel in red. thank god for that.

I remember when ELC used to brag how they only had 'proper' toys and not 'barbies and action men'. I do think that everything seems to be getting more gender specific not less as I imagined it would do.

yeah lowri - whats happening ? that shop is a croc of gender specific shit lets BOYCOTT

It might be worth your while sending them an email asking why they have gone down this route? If enough people do this, it might make them re-assess their next catalogue...you never know?!

ELC's shit all their stuff has been overtly pink for girls (housework) and blue for boys (trains) for years now.

i noticed this too.

very annoying. there's just no need is there? what you looking for? can you get them elsewhere?

why dont we complain en masse?

I'm up for that Otter....will do it now!

Ok...i have sent them an email, and it says that they reply back to you within 24 hrs! So i will sit and wait

It's to make things less re-usable for siblings isn't it? Just another of building in obsolescence so we get back and shell out more cash sooner.

yes, agree , we must do mass complaint. its getting worse year by year. it does make toys less re-useable for siblings. ppl rather have toys for both boys and grls than buying two in different color
annoying

Ok, i've had a reply back:

We take on board your specific comments regarding the use of colours for a number of our toys. It's very important for us to achieve a balance, we agree that girls should be encouraged to develop an interest in construction, science and engineering and that it is equally important for boys to be given positive, caring messages as well as action and activity messages.

I'm sorry that you feel that we have failed to meet your expectations with the range in our latest catalogue. Please be assured that your comments have been passed to the relevant departments for their information and consideration during the next product review.

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact us regarding this matter, your comments are very much appreciated.

Kind regards

Lee Mcevoy
Early Learning Centre
Internet Customer Services

They have started doing a lovely range of wooden kitchen/play food stuff - but it's all pink - would have loved to get some for ds2 but he says pink is for girls! (Would have got away with it for ds1 - he loved pink until he went to school!)

The Planet protectors toys are all male - why? - even Power Rangers have girls!

I was having a moan about this to my mum the other day.

DS has fallen in love with an ELC wooden dolls house but it is completely pink pink pink...why can't dolls houses just be house coloured and kitchen equipment be unisex????

My mum also mentioned that ELC used to market themselves as 'non-genderist' (or whatever you want to call it)