Feminist Group Fighting LEGO over a New Girls' Set

[fireheart17]

OK, if small breasts is such a problem for them, they've got MORE toys to worry about.

I had a little bit of a look in ye local Kmart. (the Australian Kmart )

In the girls toy section, the ONLY toys which did not have breasts were the Polly Pocket and the toy "babies". The freaking DISNEY characters had breasts.

[Slytovhand]

Taking a different line (to oppose most of you), but:-

""I understand that they're offended by the limited, old-fashioned way in which LEGO has feminized the new line -- with traditional feminine characters and colors -- but they should embrace the fact that LEGO is providing new choices for families and children,"

So, they understand that they're still stereotyping women - but are ok with it??? That just doesn't make any sense to me!

Not that you're all right - there are probably other much better targets to hit... but if this one is getting results, why not?

[Andara Bledin]

The Girls
The Sets

The sets inclue a treehouse, hip hop stage, inventor's workshop, and pet rescue ATV in addition to a house, vet, pool, outdoor bakery, puppy house, fashion studio, convertible, beauty shop, and cafe. The range being offered is far outside that typically made for a toy set created specifically to appeal to girls. The only thing really missing is anything sports related, which I hope they correct later on.

^-.-^

[bex1218]

Those aren't bad at all. I'd build the stage set to make a rock concert of sorts haha.

[fireheart17]

The sets inclue a treehouse, hip hop stage, inventor's workshop, and pet rescue ATV in addition to a house, vet, pool, outdoor bakery, puppy house, fashion studio, convertible, beauty shop, and cafe. The range being offered is far outside that typically made for a toy set created specifically to appeal to girls. The only thing really missing is anything sports related, which I hope they correct later on.

So they have Bondi Rescue and Bondi Vet all mixed into one? Awesome!

I should add as well that the line in question goes a LOT further than some of their previous lines for girls. Here's a short list of their previous lines and what they included:

Belville: Still exists according to Wiki, this line consists of three distinct sets: a horse stable and horsejumping arena, a dog and puppy and a home complete with mummy, daddy and a baby. They also created a few sets based on Fairy Tales: specifically The Snow Queen, The Tinder Box, the Princess and the Pea and Thumbelina.

Homemaker: existed from 1971-1982, this line consisted mainly of sets that could be used to put together rooms in a house. There were a few non-house sets, which in this case consisted of a classroom, a secretary's desk, a beauty salon and a doctor's office.

Paradisa: This line ran from 1992-1997 and consisted of primarily "sun and fun" type sets. Absolutely none of the stuff like in the Lego Friends sets. The bog-standard minifigures were included with this set. The blocks in this set were pink and green and so forth.

Scala: This line ran on and off until 2001 and was VERY broad. This line can best be described as a combination of the Clikits line (the jewellery pieces) and your everyday lego sets. This one had figurines closer to the Lego Friends set, albeit more closer in size to a Barbie. They also came with clothes just like Barbie. Closer to 2000, the series was mostly the sets, as follows (there was some duplication, so I'm only labelling the individual ones rather than the ones which were repeated. This also does not include all the lines):

Beauty studio, living room, Girl and Beauty Cabinet, a mini-garden, nursery, bathroom, kitchen, dream cottage, the "big family house", Ice-Cream cafe, flashy pool, fun boutique, Sunshine Home, picnic, "girl making lunch", gift shop, Marie in her Studio (fashion design), camping trip, horse stable, Carla's Winter camp, Happy Home, Emma on the Move, playroom for Baby Thomas, Indies Stable

Clikits: this line was purely jewellery design if anything, rather than house-building.

So yeah, as you can see, there is quite an extensive list of "Girl" products, it's not the first time that Lego have made a line. If the group were so worried about "Hypersexualising" girls, they should've kicked up more of a stink over the Scala line, which also have small-ish breasts and the figures resemble Barbie dolls. Most of the other lines were more or less stereotypical girl-themed lines or jobs that you would expect only women to do. (apart from the doctor's office in Homemaker)

Yeah, the group can go suck a fat one.

[HYHYBT]

OK, if small breasts is such a problem for them, they've got MORE toys to worry about.

I had a little bit of a look in ye local Kmart. (the Australian Kmart )

In the girls toy section, the ONLY toys which did not have breasts were the Polly Pocket and the toy "babies". The freaking DISNEY characters had breasts.

Is there some reason they shouldn't?

[Bloodsoul]

That reminds me; I always wanted the Ice Planet 2002 set that had the female scientist, but I think she was only available in the giant space base set.

Actually, I just want Classic Space, Pirate, Castle, and Town sets to come back. I need to make a trip to my folks' and see if my "Black Monarch's Ghost" is still in my old room.

[KabeRinnaul]

Okay, so here's the plan as I understand it.

1. Complain about toys with feminine appearance as being "hypersexual".
2. Complain about toys showing traditional female roles as being "demeaning" and "sexist".
3. Achieve all toys having gender-neutral appearance and gender-neutral activities.
4. Complain about the lack of toys for girls.
5. Infinite whine cycle achieved.

[fireheart17]

Okay, so here's the plan as I understand it.

1. Complain about toys with feminine appearance as being "hypersexual".
2. Complain about toys showing traditional female roles as being "demeaning" and "sexist".
3. Achieve all toys having gender-neutral appearance and gender-neutral activities.
4. Complain about the lack of toys for girls.
5. Infinite whine cycle achieved.

Funnily enough, they have no problem with the toy babies from what I've heard.

I guess if women are being forced to be breeding machines, pushing out more mouths, it's OK.