Target removing the boy/girl labels from toy aisles
Posted August 19, 2015 - 1:29pm
My husband was asking me the other day what the deal with Target was and the decision to remove the gender labels from toy aisles. Where I absolutely supported the removal of labels, he was confused by it and thought they were helpful. I subsequently asked my 9 and 5 year-old daughters about the labels and they agreed they were stifling.
What do you think?
Frugal Minded M...
I honestly think the whole issue is somewhat ridiculous. When kids go to the store, they look at items and see what they like. The signs don't make them decide. There not reading the signs. With both boys and girls in the house, my kids have the opportunity to decide which toys they prefer (since we have GI Joe and Barbie.) They decide and I can tell you more then not, the girls will pick the barbies just because it's what they like.
CandyOvercaffed
Personally I don't see the big deal with removing them. I can't see how they are helpful. One of my daughters is very into science and space, things that are normally on "boy" aisle. I feel like it's more harmful to label toys (my kids read signs) because then it gives kids the idea that they aren't "allowed" to like this or that. Often they don't articulate that idea, though, so parents can't tell them otherwise. While it's true that more girls like the same things when they are young and most boys like the same things when they are young, I think it's best for the kids to tell us what they like and not the other way around.
sunnykathleen
As a teacher of young children I was very opposed to the labeling of toys. Kids should gravitate toward their own interests and not feel different or shamed if they don't like the "normal" things boys and girls traditionally do. Good for Target for wiping out the labels and letting children find toys that interest them without any expectations or gender labeling!
justamom
Hmmm. Although I'm basically old school & have to admit I never found those labels weird, as a child I was very interested in boys' stuff. I think it's because I was a tomboy maybe, but I was always interested in both. I don't really have any objection to no labels I guess. I would always let my kids play with whatever they want as long as it was safe.
CandyOvercaffed
As a mom to two girls, I get so irritated by all of the pink toys. I never liked pink growing up so I get annoyed when pink and purple and sparkles are the only color options for things my girls might like. It's unnecessary to color code or label things boys or girls "should" like. I've found it to be a problem as my daughter gets older and also tires of the pink and purple and sparkles and crowns.
jonbonjovious
I don't think we live in a black and white world. I think it's strange that girls seem to win in the realm of toys...they can play with cars, blocks, science, barbies, etc. or wear brown, black, blue, and seldom have I heard a gender statement. If a boy plays with barbies, wears pink or purple, the gender statement comes into play. I don't think removing a store sign is going to change this. Were parents not buying their children the toys the child requested or was their decision solely based on a sign? They were buying the toy based on their own belief system. The belief system doesn't change. I liked the signage in the store. I think the controversy is absurd. I don't think a sign limits a child, it's the belief system they grow up with.
Frugal Minded M...
Totally agree with this.
jacqueline@kids...
Such an interesting topic. Glad to see people sharing opinions on this...