tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066901051112310981.post1514597255165362279..comments2023-12-28T01:20:16.234-06:00Comments on Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me: Bob vs. BarbieTracee Sioux, Sioux Ink: Soul Purpose Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06511311972798310564noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066901051112310981.post-37294668036411398972007-11-30T11:37:00.000-06:002007-11-30T11:37:00.000-06:00When I was a kid I had zero interest in dolls and ...When I was a kid I had zero interest in dolls and I never had a Barbie. My younger brother and I played with Star Wars toys and LEGOs. My Mom says she was totally disappointed that we never got to do the dollhouse thing together, but kudos to her for letting me play my own way.<BR/><BR/>Now that I have a daughter, I'll be interested to see what toys she gravitates to. My in-laws will load her down with girlie stuff, I'm sure, but I'd be perfectly happy to get her a Bob the Builder. <BR/><BR/>Provided it wasn't made in China, that is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066901051112310981.post-41142395136332251702007-11-27T08:27:00.000-06:002007-11-27T08:27:00.000-06:00I agree Jaymonster. There are some obvious problem...I agree Jaymonster. There are some obvious problems with the study. They only used 10 girls. They could have handed them an electronic cool car wash and one naked Barbi doll to choose from. It's a study done by the manufacturer for a Christmas news release. <BR/><BR/>This is definately NOT accurate science. <BR/><BR/>However, I think it does speak to a positive shift. The manufacturer of Bob the Builder wants the girl Christmas market. If you've ever went to the store trying to find a neutral toy for your daughter, you know it's hard to find one that isn't a gender stereotype. <BR/><BR/>I think it's great that Bob is going to court the girl market. And I think press releases like this will encourage parents, who might otherwise not think to give boy toys, to try giving a less stereotypical toy to the girls on their list.<BR/><BR/>Whether the girl plays with them or not. Funny how hard that is to control isn't it?Tracee Sioux, Sioux Ink: Soul Purpose Publishinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06511311972798310564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066901051112310981.post-54472950337529921132007-11-26T18:29:00.000-06:002007-11-26T18:29:00.000-06:00I have a number of problems with this.First, they ...I have a number of problems with this.<BR/><BR/>First, they don't say what toys they put them up against. Give the child the choice of a toy that "does something" vs. one that doesn't, and any child will pick the interactive ones. <BR/><BR/>This goes the other way as well. Give a boy a choice between a GI Joe doll (just the doll) and a Barbie "playset" with interactive parts and the boys will probably pick the playset.<BR/><BR/>For the record, I do believe in knocking down gender roles. However, a lot of it still depends on the child (nature vs. nurture). When my daughter asked for a "Home Depot" set for Christmas a couple of years back, "Santa" was happy to oblige. However by New Years it was "done" never to see the light of day again (despite numerous attempts to rekindle her interest). Whereas the Polly Pockets which my sister (unfortunately) purchased her, and we actively discourage her playing with, continue to get a workout on a regular basis.<BR/><BR/>I also would be wary of any research published by the beneficiary (in this case maker of Bob the Builder). But I am cynical like that.<BR/><BR/>Simply put, give a choice and let them decide. I think lately people have been trying too hard to swing things the other way, which still keeps it out of balance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066901051112310981.post-34162663340429474182007-11-26T11:56:00.000-06:002007-11-26T11:56:00.000-06:00I would be interested in seeing that research. My ...I would be interested in seeing that research. <BR/><BR/>My hypothesis is this: what girls ASK for and what they PLAY with given the two toys side by side may be different. <BR/><BR/>Girls (like everyone else) buy into marketing and they see a lot of marketing for Bratz, Barbi and the Hannah machine. They know that's what their "supposed" to ask for because they are girls. <BR/><BR/>However, if they have a Barbi House and Bob's Tool bench - I betcha they put them together and play with them both. <BR/><BR/>That said, Ainsley asked for video games last year and rarely plays with them.Tracee Sioux, Sioux Ink: Soul Purpose Publishinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06511311972798310564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066901051112310981.post-7632708278848492007-11-26T10:14:00.000-06:002007-11-26T10:14:00.000-06:00This would not surprise me one bit. It's funny, be...This would not surprise me one bit. It's funny, because all of the other most-wanted-toys research that has been coming out has put Barbie, Bratz, and Hannah Montana as girls #1 picks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com