Would anyone like to join in an effort to convince retailers to stop categorizing toys by gender?

[OneHandWavingFree]

Following on from this thread and similar ones, a few of us are interested in discussing ways to send a message to retailers that it is not acceptable to designate 'boys' and 'girls' toy aisles which reinforce the message that science and adventure are "boys stuff", while girls should be primarily occupied with looking 'sexy' or practicing for domestic drudgery.

The first steps might be to draft a letter and identify a few retailers to target for an email campaign. Other ideas of how to get the message across are very welcome too, though.

Would anyone like to join in?

I think a rota is a good idea - but I think it should be a loose one, so that any admin who happens to be online feels free to 'like' and respond to posts, or to add something that's particularly interesting.

Also (this is the selfish bit) I'm a little worried about promising to be 'on duty' at particular times, as I'm mostly checking in when I have a minute at work, or for a short while at a time (when I should really be playing with dd or talking to dh after I get home). I'm sure it's the same for all of us.

I'd be happy to take a day or two, or a particular timeframe of each day, when I know I need to check in and make sure things are updated, but I'd feel better about that if I knew that other people might also be dipping in and out (as I will be on my 'off' times) and so if I can't be on as much as I want, things are still likely to be posted / reponded to.

I think the response thing is important - when people post to Facebook I think we have to be sure to 'like' or comment on their post fairly soon after, so they know we appreciate the interest and we're still here! There will be exceptions, of course - I've noticed that when a point has needed to be argued, the argument has been between 'likers' / under people's own names rather than the page name, which is a good way to go.

Also, the 'official' thread in chat is slipping further and further down in 'active' and is off the front page again. This thread and survey ones are being updated more frequently.

I don't want to go on the Chat one with obvious bumps - does anyone have a new point to make on that thread, or maybe have a read through for posts that haven't been responded to? I weighed in on one poster's response from John Lewis, when she wrote to them about this issue - does anyone else want to find that thread and give their opinion on the letter she got?

OHWF - dont worry, I think that'll work fine, we don't have to be glued to our laptops and we can always check in here to see who's about.

And honestly! No one could accuse you of being "selfish" when it comes to this campaign

yy, i agree.
or just links to the facebook campaign stating facts only - "this photo shows xx toys as labelled for boys in @asda" foor example.

I think it might be worth having 3 or 4 admins for each site and then just update as and when you feel like it.
it doesn't matter if you update twice in ten minutes or once every 5 hours, as long as someone is around to see your post!

please link all the threads again here.

if you do that every now and then, it saves people trawling.

Can't link as I'm on phone. Good idea though! If you're trawling anyway, will you post a link, nickel ?

ConsiderCasey I really don't mind :)

How about you do tonight, and I'll do tomorrow daytime?
I'm working from home all day tomorrow anyway and so that would work well for me.

In general, Thursdays or Fridays are good for me.

I'll have a look :)

In keeping with very helpful, sensible social media tips recently posted, is there a Facebook admin available to change the bright minds post to question form?

Sorry for ordering people around instead of doing it myself, it's just that I'm on the phone and can't see an edit option. :)

Done :)

surveys thread
facebook
twitter

Agreed re the rota being a loose one, I am online most of mons and tuesdays (termtime) as I work from home on PC, but also popping in and out of fb twitter etc so happy to check on things then, but not online so much later in week.

Re twitter lots of people tweeted at us yesterday, good form to respond or retweet, but not a good idea to do loads of retweets one after the other as it clogs up peoples timelines and they get annoyed.

Was really pleased to see Abi from PinkStinks following us, and we also got tweeted about by gender diary and letterbox library who encouraged their followers to follow us, so it's going really well. Keen to keep up momentum.

I have no skill at all with social networking, or graphic design, but I really want to get more involved. Any ideas what I can do to help? I have completed several surveys but want to do more.

Cool to see people are retweeting LTBT tweets!

How does one log on to do a Twitter shift? I could do one next week.

Aufaniae, ok. I will be on networking duty tonight! Actually the whole idea is making me feel v important

Feelathome, do you speak any languages? You could have a look for similar campaigns in other countries that we could link to? We can't be the only country this mad gender segregation happens in.

Nope, dont speak any languages either. I'll keep thinking, and talking to people about the campaign to spread the word.

Went in Fun Learning today - brilliant .

Shelves labeled "sky at night" , "construction", "role play" etc....

Will try to go back and take photos - but I'll need to ask, it's not like a supermarket where you can do it on the sly.

Just back from m and s and got some (lousy) pics. Some of their toys are so great - yet some in the 'boys stuff' and 'little miss arty' section are abysmal.

It doesn't sound like we need slogans but if stuck, for twitter, I was thinking something like;

I passed my driving test first time yet m and s thinks cars are boys stuff. Attach. Pic.

Or I'm an artist (anyone's DH an artist) yet m and s thinks pencils are for girls.
Continue with drums. Walkie talkies. Handbags etc ?

Feelathome, could you get some good photos? Mine are crap!

I've posted this in the facebook page, but thought I'd link it here too.

A reply from Smyths asking if there was an algorithm that picked out "girls" or "boys" in the search box, and they said:
"With regards to searching under the word 'girls' our web team have advised that we do not have an algorithim in place which would designate certain items as 'girls' or 'boys'. Items which are commonly selected or purchased by customers using these key words in their searches may be shown when these words are selected."

so, it just picks up key words from searches and links them together :)

"My DH is the only one that can get my baby to sleep, but thinks dolls are for girls"

talking of Good Form on Twitter - follow everyone that's following you!
especially me (it'll be obvious)

then go through lists of those who follow them, and follow them too - I follow a few toys shops and manufacturers - so @ToysatNo10 follow: @toyworldmag , @KirsiHK (independent buyer for a dept store), @OfficialSanta, @HamleysToys, @NewburyNCT @Buttonbag_UK ‏ @Toyrific @downtothewood @ElephantToyShop (keep going...) follow all of these and any other toy- or children- related people.
also, @jumpmag is a MNer.

Ill try and get some photos over the weekend.
love the slogans, Thisisaeuphemism