Gender Bias

Yesterday I shared a FB post about a superbowl ad for a new(ish) toy. It’s a set (several different ones actually) of building blocks/pieces designed specifically for girls. I applaud the maker’s intent (as well as the people who came up with pastel colored legos, etc.) of getting young girls more interested in things like math and physics. I am also horrified by the …need for such things! I realize, however, that these products are designed more for the parents’ comfort than for the child’s. Small children have no concept of gender-bias unless/until they are taught it, and most will happily play with whatever toys they are given. Unfortunately, most peolpe still only give girls dollies and kitchen sets and only give boys cars and tools. I would think that in this day and age we, as a society, should have long since grown past such horrible stereotyping. We should all be trying to raise our kids as well-rounded and self-sufficient individuals!! It deeply saddens me that people have to make tools and blocks pink to feel comfortable giving them to their daughters, or that boys can’t play with kitchen sets and cleaning toys without being thought less of, even by their own parents.  My daughter played with regular legos and magnetix (like a boy) as a little kid. She still likes boys, loves dressing up, wears make-up every day, and does her hair and nails. She also played with kitchen sets and dolls (like most girls). The result…She wants to learn confectionary design and run her own shop. Gee, building AND cooking, and art, all in one. Not bad!! I just hope there are more of you out there like us…