artificial insemination kit for humans
By: Sarah Thompson
Date: Oct. 21, 2021
Image Source: galitskaya/Getty
LEGO has declared its commitment to “eliminating gender stereotypes from its toys” after uncovering the detrimental impact that gender bias in toys was having on children’s play choices. Although girls were increasingly participating in a broader range of activities, boys remained apprehensive about the possibility of being teased for engaging with “girl” toys. Julia Goldin, the chief product and marketing officer at LEGO Group, shared with The Guardian, “We’re striving to make LEGO more inclusive.”
My three sons, like many children, are fascinated by LEGOs. They own sets featuring Star Wars, dinosaurs, deep-sea explorers, and even Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. However, when I inquired if they were interested in LEGO Friends sets, they exchanged hesitant glances. “Um… those figures are the wrong size,” my middle son remarked, all while wearing a unicorn T-shirt. His favorite colors include amethyst. It was clear that the size of LEGO minifigures was a signal to him: those toys were for girls, Mom.
Madeline Di Nonno, the CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which LEGO commissioned for this research, stated, “Parents are more concerned that their sons will face teasing than their daughters for playing with toys associated with the opposite gender.” I too worried about whether my sons’ friends would tease them for mixing LEGO Friends sets with Darth Vader. I frequently buy my boys unicorn shirts from the girls’ section (since they love unicorns, and that’s the only place to find them). However, the LEGO Friends sets, with their overwhelming pink and purple colors, made me anxious about what their friends might think if they saw my sons playing with figures that appeared “too feminine.”
That cycle of gender bias is set to change.
LEGO isn’t the only one taking action. California has recently passed a law, effective in 2024, that mandates large retailers to establish a “gender-neutral” section alongside their boys’ and girls’ sections. While this doesn’t ban the traditional sections outright, it requires retailers to create a space that is free from gender bias. My son recognized LEGO Friends as a “girl toy” not merely because of its pastel colors but also due to its segregation from the other LEGO sets. Gender bias in toys has a profound impact.
Understanding Gender Bias Beyond Toys
Image Source: Westend61/Getty
So, why are boys reluctant to engage with “girl” toys? Di Nonno explains simply, “Behaviors associated with men are valued more highly in society… Until societies acknowledge that activities typically linked with women are equally valuable, parents and children will hesitate to embrace them.” By reinforcing gender bias in toys, we propagate harmful stereotypes about which types of work and behavior are deemed appropriate for each gender. More insidiously, we instill negative stereotypes: gender bias in toys instructs boys and girls not only on what they should be but also on what they should avoid. A staggering 71% of boys fear playing with “girl” toys due to concerns about being teased for appearing feminine.
Professor Gina Rippon, a neurobiologist, asserts, “We encourage girls to engage with ‘boys’ toys’ but not vice versa… If girls don’t play with LEGO or other construction toys, they miss out on developing spatial skills that are beneficial later in life. Conversely, if dolls are exclusively marketed to girls, boys are deprived of nurturing skill sets.” Toys serve as vital training tools that prepare children for future skills. Gender bias in toys teaches boys that nurturing roles are less valuable than STEM-related activities and signals to girls that caregiving skills are paramount.
By challenging these narratives, LEGO and California are taking a stand against the harmful stereotypes that confine children—not only in their play but also in essential life skills and career paths.
The Broader Implications on Mental Health
The implications of gender bias in toys extend even further. A report from the UK warns that gender stereotyping “is at the root” of issues such as eating disorders, body image struggles, escalating male suicide rates, and increasing violence against girls and women. Where does this stereotyping begin? With toys.
The California law will impact not just toys but also “any childcare items” meant to assist with sleep, relaxation, feeding, teething, or sucking. While there will still be designated boys’ and girls’ areas for clothing, all other products will be required to include a gender-neutral section.
LEGO is leading the charge in demonstrating that toys can be enjoyable without leaning towards one gender or another. As a child in the 1980s, I shared a massive tub of LEGOs with my brother, and his best friend also had a similar collection. The little girl featured in the LEGO ad has grown up and now reflects, “In 1981, LEGOs were simple and gender-neutral, and the creativity of the child shaped the message. By 2014, the toy dictated a message to the child, and that message is oddly centered around gender.” LEGO acknowledges its past missteps in promoting gender bias but is devoted to making meaningful changes.
As a mother of boys, I express my gratitude for these efforts.
If you want to learn more, check out this excellent resource from the CDC regarding pregnancy and home insemination.
For those interested in exploring self-insemination options, visit Make A Mom.
Search Queries:
- how to choose gender-neutral toys
- impact of gender bias in toys
- gender-neutral toy ideas
- benefits of gender-neutral play
- addressing gender stereotypes in children
In summary, LEGO and California’s initiatives signify a pivotal shift towards dismantling gender biases in toys. By promoting inclusivity, they aim to foster a more expansive and healthy environment for all children, free from the constraints of outdated stereotypes.