Lego, California makes toys more gender-neutral

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Azusa Barbie will be attending the Barbie Truck Totally Throwback Tour Launch at The Grove on November 1, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo courtesy of Presley Ann / Getty Images for Mattel)

(WTVO) — LEGO and California are working to remove the perceived gender prejudice from toys.

Lego announced on Monday that it would work to remove gender stereotypes from the product after a global survey they conducted showed that playing attitudes remained unequal and restrictive. Parents.. Researchers have found that while girls are becoming more open and confident in their activities, the same cannot be said for boys.

Seventy-one percent of the boys surveyed reportedly said they were afraid to be ridiculed by playing with what is called a “girl’s toy,” which they fear sharing with their parents. Madeline di Nonno, CEO of the Gina Davis Institute in Gender in Media, who conducted the survey, said the fear was worse for boys than for girls for parents.

“Parents are worried that their son will be more teased than their daughter by playing with other gender-related toys,” Di Nonno told the Guardian. “But that also means that behaviors related to men are more valued in society until society recognizes that behaviors and activities related to women are generally valuable or important. , Parents and children will be tentative to accept them. “

This study did not just deal with toys. The study also found that boys were more encouraged to participate in activities such as sports and girls were more encouraged to participate in activities such as dance.

According to Professor Gina Rippon, a neurobiologist and author of The Gendered Brain, toys can be seen as a “training opportunity” for young children.

“That is, if the girl isn’t playing with Lego or other construction toys, she doesn’t have the spatial skills that will help her later in life. If the doll is pressed against the girl instead of the boy, the boy has training skills. I’m missing. “

In response, LEGO Group Chief Product and Marketing Officer Julia Goldin said LEGO is currently striving to be more comprehensive.

“Traditionally, Lego has been accessed by more boys, [arts and crafts line] LEGO Dot or LEGO City Wildlife Rescue Camps are specially designed to appeal to boys and girls, “Goldin said.

New initiatives for inclusiveness will affect not only toy manufacturing, but also toy sales. California became the first state to require department stores to display toys and other products in a gender-neutral way on Saturday. CBS News..

The new law does not prohibit the boys and girls section of the store, but it also requires a section of items regardless of gender, whether traditionally sold to boys or girls.

The girls and boys sections are traditionally color coded in pink or blue respectively. According to LGBTQ supporters, these colors in traditional marketing are putting pressure on children to adhere to gender stereotypes. According to academic research, these gender-specific toys and sections can impede the emotional and psychological growth of a child.

Judith Elaine Blakemore, a professor of psychology and vice dean of arts and sciences, said: Indiana University in Fort Wayne, Indiana-For teacher training at Purdue University.

San Jose Democrat Evan Low, who drafted the California bill, said: Avoid enhancing harmful and outdated stereotypes. “

Lego, California makes toys more gender-neutral

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