LEGO Just Announced They Are Removing ‘Gender Bias’ From Their Toys
I find this news fantastic!
As a mom of 3 (two boys and a girl) I know what it’s like firsthand to have children feel as if they can’t play with a toy because it’s aimed towards a girl or boy.
When our daughter was born, we knew that her having two older brothers would likely influence the sort of toys she’d play with but we never pushed her into the “girl” toys nor did we push her into the boy toys.
And now that our daughter is almost 3, she is good mix of liking toys and things that girls and boys typically like and that’s exactly how we wanted it. We wanted her to like things because she liked them not because it was gender influenced.
If girls want to play with cars and blocks, let them. If boys want to play with babies and Barbie’s, why not?
With that being said, that is why I am so excited to hear that LEGO Is Removing ‘Gender Bias’ From Its Toys. Because honestly, it is about time.
In a recent press release, Lego has announced plans to remove gender bias from its products. This comes after LEGO conducted a study that found that girls are hindered by “unequal and restrictive” attitudes towards creativity and play.
LEGO also found that parents typically push kids into certain gender roles.
All of that info led LEGO to assist in allowing creativity and shift the change from gender based roles and interests, to being all inclusive.
In the press release, LEGO said there was a “need for society to rebuild perceptions, actions and words to support the creative empowerment of all children. The benefits of creative play such as building confidence, creativity and communication skills are felt by all children and yet we still experience age-old stereotypes that label activities as only being suitable for one specific gender,” said Julia Goldmin, Lego Group’s chief marketing officer, in a statement.
The company is committed to making LEGO play more inclusive and ensuring that children’s creative ambitions – both now in the future – are not limited by gender stereotypes. We know there is work to do which is why from 2021, we will work closely with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and UNICEF to ensure LEGO products and marketing are accessible to all and free of gender bias and harmful stereotypes.
LEGO
Now, there is no word exactly how LEGO will do this. Perhaps they’ll move away from the pink/purple colors for girls and choose more gender neutral colors? No matter how they do it, I am sure it’ll be great for kids everywhere!
