I had tried to look in the Argos catalogue to find a gift for my niece and all of them were dolls, make up, sewing etc, laundry and kitchen etc. All silly things that won't actually stimulate her brain.
The boys toys were all building and maths and science and knex, magnetix etc. They would learn more from them. I ended up getting the magnetix in the end.
I had to look in the boys section to get her anything that would help her intellectually. I am not saying that girls shouldn't have dolls etc all brainwashing to get them to only think about, children, looking pretty and cleaning. Nothing wrong with having some of these toys but ALL? bar soem craft products.
Did anyone else have trouble finding gifts for Christmas for little girls? (mine was birthday and Eid though).
2006-12-21 07:13:27 · 17 answers · asked by The Face 3 in Games & Recreation ➔ Toys
WSIDR III - That is a great idea! It didn't taste that nice though, won't be crediting Mr Newman with anything good there.
2006-12-21 07:25:11 · update #1
If you look in the said catalogue you will see that all the girls toys have a pink background and the boys blue. So it has been divided by the people of Argos and the toymakers but there is also a unisex section. But you got my drift. I couldn't get her the LeaPad because she is ten. I ended up with Magnetix. I could also get her a DS game to play on her brother's consols but then he wouldn't let her play. Think I will get Big Brain Academy or Brain Training!
2006-12-21 07:38:04 · update #2
I know what you mean, had one girl, eldest and three boys, found exactly what you said ,plenty for the boys to do and learn, but it seems that society has left the girls behind, as if to say she should learn to, only stay home and do housework, and feed the children. but whats wrong with the modern girl approach to things in life. They don't want to just play with dolls and pretend cooking things. Come on you people think up more things also for the girls!!!!! so they can keep up with every thing out there Mind you I tought them to cook and sew, and must admit boys as well, they all found it handy when in their own places.
2006-12-21 07:23:04 · answer #1 · answered by archaeologia 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As a toyshop owner, I try to change peoples perspectives on what's a boy's toy and what's a girl's toy all the time.
I guess the problem for manufacturers is that, in my experience, most parents, grandparents, etc still buy toys along gender lines. So because manufacturers are in the business of making money they continue to market them that way. Tough cycle to break unfortunately, but I couldn't agree with you more.
In answer to David's question within a question - try out
http://www.notjustpinkandblue.com
we used them when our girl was little.
Best wishes
Duncan
http://www.busstoptoyshop.com
2006-12-22 12:18:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I realize they're marketed as so, but I don't view toys like Knex and Magnetix as "boy's toys". I think any gender can play with them. I played with them when I was younger and quite enjoyed them. I agree that there are not enough toys for girls that stimulate the brain which is why I do what you did and buy them the "boy's toys".
2006-12-21 15:20:33 · answer #3 · answered by Jenn 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Both girl-oriented and boy-oriented toys teach things--they just teach different things.
Toys designed for girls are about learning to nurture, cook, clean, sew, and do crafts.
Toys designed for boys are about learning to build, play sports, and to destroy (e.g., car track sets that explode).
Both are intended to encourage imagination.
That said, it doesn't really matter whether you get your niece toys which are actually designed for girls. When I was little, I played with My Little Ponies and babydolls and also Legos and HotWheels. I grew up to be a woman who can cook, clean, and sew, and who is also interested in building and design. Unless her parents are going to get mad at you, you should get her whatever you think she'll like.
If you're still worried about it, get her a nice unisex stuffed animal, a board game, or the girl version of Legos, which is called "Ello."
2006-12-21 15:27:29 · answer #4 · answered by Iris 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is more to life than science and maths. The things that distinguish us as having humanity are not technological, though this is an aspect of being human, they are instead those things that involve caring for and helping our fellow man. Please don't underrate the work that is by tradition, considered to be "women's work." Although women can do most if not all of what is traditionally "men's work" why should caring etc be so underated and low in status?
Anyway if it bothers you you could always get her "boys" toys.
2006-12-23 06:42:07 · answer #5 · answered by funnelweb 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I tend to buy unisex in most toys... boy or girl I get craft items, building toys, LeapFrog and VTech learning toys, board games.
I've had boys who enjoyed potholder making kits and girls who love Erector sets. I myself had a dollhouse and Matchbox cars when I was growing up :)
I know what you're saying though... and it's why I'm grateful for preschool experiences where boys get to play kitchen and girls get to build roadways without anyone telling them that it's "wrong."
I think you made an excellent choice of Magnetix. I got some of those for my 9 year old son this year, but I know his 11 year old sister will play with him - lol
2006-12-21 15:18:55 · answer #6 · answered by thegirlwholovedbrains 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes - very worrying isn't it?
My daughter is due to arrive in this world on 4th feb 07 - and being the forward type of thinking Daddy, I am looking at what is around.
- Toy Washing machine & kitchen appliances
- Dolls, more dolls and even more dolls
- Other items SATURATED in pink & glitter
I understand the need for 'girly' stuff, but as you say - NO FUN EDUCATIONAL STUFF NO 'HERES HOW TO BLOW SOMETHING UP' KIT, NO HISTORY STUFF KIT ETC ETC.
What kind of a message are we sending out to them? Its 2007 I thought we had got past that
"Grow up, wear pink and find yourself a nice husband & spit out babies like grape pips"
I WILL BE BUYING MY DAUGHTER A LOAD OF THESE "BOY ONLY TOYS" SHE WILL NOT BE MISSING OUT ON ALL THIS FUN OR KNOWLEDGE.
PS - Is to possible to buy girls cloths in any other colour than Damn P I N K ????!!!!!!
2006-12-21 16:09:39 · answer #7 · answered by David 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
ok um honestly I have no idea , maybe because girls mature faster than boys so the toy makers don't want to waiste time on us. Or girls don't need toys that educate us because we barliey play with toys I mean really that is soo old school I don't want to get fat cause when I was young I never went outside. Anyways girls r smarter then guys. DUH just get a boy game
2006-12-21 15:56:27 · answer #8 · answered by kitten baby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of all the stereotypes that girls have...we have always been considered the lesser of the two sexes...remember boys were the first ones to be given an education so they have more eduactional games, and girls are 'supposed' to be housewives thats why they have all that cooking, makeup, and other things.
But you should get her a computer game one that is for boys and girls and educational at the same time
2006-12-21 15:18:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
How about Lego? Lego is unisex and fun. Or books - when I was a kid I loved books - they are fun and educational.
I don't see how knex is a boys only toy, or maths toys either, mechano is pretty unisex too.
2006-12-21 15:28:19 · answer #10 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋