Sexism in Toys

Believe it or not, we condition our children into sexism. That is, the separation of what is right for girls, and what is right for boys. The toy market is the first step in a child's life when they are exposed to boys and girls being different. My example is the Power Wheels motorized car toys for children. If you check out their website, you'll see that every single motorized car is being driven by a boy, except for the bright pink ones. Of course girls can only drive girlie cars....Power Wheels says so. These commercials are SO influential on our children. Kids study these commercials, decide which toy they want really bad, and run to mom and dad to beg for it. That's what the toy industry wants, right? Boys are being taught already that they are built for a rough and tumble testosterone filled life, while the girls are meant to sit pretty in their pink cars and go shopping.

http://www.fisher-price.com/us/powerwheels/

The new Monster Traction commercial is the most blatant commercial directed at boys. The entire thing is all boys are the bomb, and tough. No mention of a girl having fun with this toy. The commercial even ends with four boys crossing their arms and looking very gangsta like.

The toy industry needs to stop being so sexist about their toys. Girls CAN play with trucks, and boys CAN play house.