Do girls need "special" Legos?

[luvmy3]

Obviously they are simply trying to widen their appeal. Some girls are NOT into Star Wars and Pirates of the Carribbean etc. so should they just write them off? Of course not.....they are doing what any smart company does. It's not as if they are abandoning the other sets. Girls who like to play with police cars and ninjas will continue to do so and those who don't? Well now they will have an alternative.

Let's face it, girls do tend to be wired differently. There's nothing wrong with embracing it

I saw the sets in Target last night, they are really cute and perfect for girls who want girly toys. If you have a girl who just wants to play with the regular Legos, you still have those options. Now girls who wouldn't look twice at those other sets have their own options. Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[HelenePA]

if it makes you feel better last year in K my son wanted to be a pizza delivery man we are aiming high!!!

 

[PeterPan09]

I think what bothers me is that we're in another situation where children are told-"this is for you because you're a girl" or "this is for you because you're a boy". I don't like seeing anyone being put into a box and being told by a toy company or anyone else what they are "supposed" to like.

What if a boy wants one of the new "girly" sets. How will that be received by his family and friends? Will he be sent the message that there is something "wrong" with him? Same with a girl going towards the "boy" sets. Now that there are specific "girl" sets, will she be sent the message that she's choosing incorrectly?

I liked Lego because even though there were sets that were clearly targeted to boys and clearly appealed more to boys than girls-there were also still gender neutral sets like Pirates or the Castle series and even Star Wars.

 

[HelenePA]

I think what bothers me is that we're in another situation where children are told-"this is for you because you're a girl" or "this is for you because you're a boy". I don't like seeing anyone being put into a box and being told by a toy company or anyone else what they are "supposed" to like.

What if a boy wants one of the new "girly" sets. How will that be received by his family and friends? Will he be sent the message that there is something "wrong" with him? Same with a girl going towards the "boy" sets. Now that there are specific "girl" sets, will she be sent the message that she's choosing incorrectly?

I liked Lego because even though there were sets that were clearly targeted to boys and clearly appealed more to boys than girls-there were also still gender neutral sets like Pirates or the Castle series and even Star Wars.

I'm sorry I wouldn't have played with the Star wars, or Pirates sets as a little girl... We just had giant buckets of them where I was building houses with flowers around the front... I would have been in with these new sets.. Its sad when people get so worked up over nothing.. they are toys people toys.. just like barbies, play doh, cars, fire trucks, these just happen to be pink and purple.. the horror!! now why dont they make pink fire trucks? I gets everyone would get their panties in a bunch over that too?

 

[luvmy3]

I think what bothers me is that we're in another situation where children are told-"this is for you because you're a girl" or "this is for you because you're a boy". I don't like seeing anyone being put into a box and being told by a toy company or anyone else what they are "supposed" to like.

What if a boy wants one of the new "girly" sets. How will that be received by his family and friends? Will he be sent the message that there is something "wrong" with him? Same with a girl going towards the "boy" sets. Now that there are specific "girl" sets, will she be sent the message that she's choosing incorrectly?

I liked Lego because even though there were sets that were clearly targeted to boys and clearly appealed more to boys than girls-there were also still gender neutral sets like Pirates or the Castle series and even Star Wars.

I see it differently because I don't believe this is a situation where Lego is telling kids what they are supposed to like. I see it as them providing a toy for those who already know what they like. Gender specific toys have been around for a long time, I suppose parents will do what they have always done when it comes to what their kid wants.

 

[pyrxtc]

I think the new colors and set designs are cool. I know some boys who would like them too. My DD has a lot of Lego's and plays with them fine and likes putting them together.

I DO NOT LIKE the new figures that come with the girl sets. Why couldn't they just have square girls with these sets?? Why did they have to make them look odd ??

 

[KimR]

Not really. They're not 6 years old for forever. For many of those girls, their goals will change dramatically as they age.

Very true. I used to want to be a model, actress, stewardess (as flight attendants were referred to back then), teacher, and vet. I now work in IT and it suits me perfectly. Besides, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a little girl aspiring to any of the traditionally female professions.

As for the legos, I think they are a great idea. What's wrong with allowing girly-girls to embrace thier feminine side if that is what they like?

 

[PeterPan09]

I'm sorry I wouldn't have played with the Star wars, or Pirates sets as a little girl... We just had giant buckets of them where I was building houses with flowers around the front... I would have been in with these new sets.. Its sad when people get so worked up over nothing.. they are toys people toys.. just like barbies, play doh, cars, fire trucks, these just happen to be pink and purple.. the horror!! now why dont they make pink fire trucks? I gets everyone would get their panties in a bunch over that too?

Because you wouldn't have then nobody would? Sorry, but that's just the attitude that concerns me. My goddaughter played with the Castle sets-sometimes there were wars, and there was usually a Princess who fought alongside the men.

There's nothing wrong with you NOT liking the Star Wars or Pirates sets, but there is also nothing wrong with another girl liking them and that's my issue. Don't project what you think is the correct gender role onto the kids. Let them develop their own way.

 

[jrmasm]

I think what bothers me is that we're in another situation where children are told-"this is for you because you're a girl" or "this is for you because you're a boy". I don't like seeing anyone being put into a box and being told by a toy company or anyone else what they are "supposed" to like.

What if a boy wants one of the new "girly" sets. How will that be received by his family and friends? Will he be sent the message that there is something "wrong" with him? Same with a girl going towards the "boy" sets. Now that there are specific "girl" sets, will she be sent the message that she's choosing incorrectly?

I liked Lego because even though there were sets that were clearly targeted to boys and clearly appealed more to boys than girls-there were also still gender neutral sets like Pirates or the Castle series and even Star Wars.

The new legos sets are options, not requirements. It's not like you have to show proof of gender before making a purchase.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just got an email about a new product line Lego is introducing for the "other 50% of the population." The sets are a cafe, a pool to lounge by, a club to sing in and of course...shopping.

Somehow this just feels wrong to me. I remember having Legos as a kid and they were just Legos. There was no gender specific direction. By the time my niece came along, there were much better sets, but still gender less. She built castles and houses and a lot of Harry Potter sets. Sure, some of her play may have been different from the boys, but she didn't need "special" sets to do it.

I would rather see Lego stay gender neutral and let kids use their imaginations the way they want to and not see girls and boys guided into sets that are "right" for them.

Considering there is every kind of boy set from Star Wars to whatever, I can say that some girl marketing is fine.

They will probably end up as collector sets because the product will eventually fail and they will no longer make them.

 

[KimR]

There's nothing wrong with you NOT liking the Star Wars or Pirates sets, but there is also nothing wrong with another girl liking them and that's my issue. Don't project what you think is the correct gender role onto the kids. Let them develop their own way.

I agree with you; however I don't think offering a lego set geared towards girls is forcing them into a gender role. I have 3 girls, one of whom was a tomboy, one middle-of-the-road, one girly-girl. They've always chosen toys that appealed to them, regardless of whether it was marketed to girls or boys. There is no way either of the older two would have chosen the aforementioned lego set, so it's a total non-issue.

 

[luvmy3]

Because you wouldn't have then nobody would? Sorry, but that's just the attitude that concerns me. My goddaughter played with the Castle sets-sometimes there were wars, and there was usually a Princess who fought alongside the men.

There's nothing wrong with you NOT liking the Star Wars or Pirates sets, but there is also nothing wrong with another girl liking them and that's my issue. Don't project what you think is the correct gender role onto the kids. Let them develop their own way.

And nobody is saying there is, not even Lego. They are giving girls who don't want to play with SW or POTC sets their own options. Why can't they develop their own way and have toys they want to play with, without people having an issue that the toys they want are too gender specific.

 

[HelenePA]

Because you wouldn't have then nobody would? Sorry, but that's just the attitude that concerns me. My goddaughter played with the Castle sets-sometimes there were wars, and there was usually a Princess who fought alongside the men.

There's nothing wrong with you NOT liking the Star Wars or Pirates sets, but there is also nothing wrong with another girl liking them and that's my issue. Don't project what you think is the correct gender role onto the kids. Let them develop their own way.

Just because its different doesn't make it wrong.. I would have LOVED the new lego sets as a little girl.. My girls never really liked legos, or baby dolls, they played with cars, lots of little people sets, the bus, airplane, the house, the farm, trains, trucks. I say bring on the pink and purple Let the girly girls play with them.. or boys for that matter.. who cares? Oh wait this is the dis... everyone cares

 

[PeterPan09]

And nobody is saying there is, not even Lego. They are giving girls who don't want to play with SW or POTC sets their own options. Why can't they develop their own way and have toys they want to play with, without people having an issue that the toys they want are too gender specific.

Again-what happens to the child that picks the "wrong" set for their gender? How is that choice received?

Children are being not so subtlety told which toys are correct for their gender and which ones are not. IMHO, this new marketing move by Lego just adds to that trend and might drive children away from their natural inclinations and toward the "correct" toy in order to avoid disapproval from those around them.

 

[jrmasm]

Again-what happens to the child that picks the "wrong" set for their gender? How is that choice received?
Children are being not so subtlety told which toys are correct for their gender and which ones are not. IMHO, this new marketing move by Lego just adds to that trend and might drive children away from their natural inclinations and toward the "correct" toy in order to avoid disapproval from those around them.

Who is judging the child's toy preference?

 

[luvmy3]

Again-what happens to the child that picks the "wrong" set for their gender? How is that choice received?

Children are being not so subtlety told which toys are correct for their gender and which ones are not. IMHO, this new marketing move by Lego just adds to that trend and might drive children away from their natural inclinations and toward the "correct" toy in order to avoid disapproval from those around them.

Okay then did you have issues with Lego before these sets were introduced? They clearly had sets that were geared toward boys, did you have concerns about what happens when girls picked those sets? Why is it okay that they have gender neutral sets, and sets geared to boys but all of a sudden when they introduce sets geared toward girls they have some sort of agenda
I'll tell you what will happen, kids will want whatever toys they want, and most likely those are the toys they will get. If someone thinks they should have the "correct" toy, or the child feels pressure to want the "correct" toy, it will end up in the bottom of the bin and sent off to Goodwill in 6 months.
In my experience, kids play with what they like to play with.

 

[KimR]

Again-what happens to the child that picks the "wrong" set for their gender? How is that choice received?

Children are being not so subtlety told which toys are correct for their gender and which ones are not. IMHO, this new marketing move by Lego just adds to that trend and might drive children away from their natural inclinations and toward the "correct" toy in order to avoid disapproval from those around them.

I highly doubt that anyone would have an issue with a girl choosing one of the more boy-oriented sets; however, a boy would probably be made fun of for playing with the girl's set. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but that's just the way it is.

I'm just curious, though. Do you have a problem with other girl-specific toys such as barbies, brats, baby dolls, American girl, Mall Madness, Polly Pocket, jewelry making sets, etc? If not, what's the difference between those and the legos?

 

[DopeyDame]

Again-what happens to the child that picks the "wrong" set for their gender? How is that choice received?

Children are being not so subtlety told which toys are correct for their gender and which ones are not. IMHO, this new marketing move by Lego just adds to that trend and might drive children away from their natural inclinations and toward the "correct" toy in order to avoid disapproval from those around them.

ummmm.... Nothing. The kid who wants to play with Harry Potter or Star Wars set is more then welcome too. Now there's finally options for a kid who doesn't want to play with them. That's great. MORE kids will find a lego set to play with that they like. MORE options are good, not bad.

 

[Momvic5]

I agree with you; however I don't think offering a lego set geared towards girls is forcing them into a gender role. I have 3 girls, one of whom was a tomboy, one middle-of-the-road, one girly-girl. They've always chosen toys that appealed to them, regardless of whether it was marketed to girls or boys. There is no way either of the older two would have chosen the aforementioned lego set, so it's a total non-issue.

I agree. I have one daughter squeezed between my sons. They are all very fortunate to have one another. They have always been able to play with all kinds of gender specific toys very comfortably because they have one another. As far as Legos are concerned, my boys have always been the ones that were most interested in them due to their love of Pirates, Castles, and Star Wars. Most of our pieces are black, gray, brown, and white because those sets are mostly limited to those colors. It wasn't until a friend gave us a huge trash bag full of older sets(early 90s) that contained lots of green, red, blue, and yellow bricks. (What a gift! - It included various Robin Hood sets with incredible pieces to make trees with. ) My daughter would sit for hours with her brothers and build random things with all of our pieces, but when a Lego store opened in our area, she was thrilled to find new sets that included pink and purple bricks. Now my oldest is a teen and my youngest is 10. When my sophomore brings his friends home, I will often find them sitting in my Ds10's room building with Legos, and they always include pink pieces into their creations. There was a time when the boys would not touch a pink brick, but now they have no problem with them. Kids go through different stages as they grow, and in each stage their thinking can change so I think that it is great that Lego is providing more options for kids to choose from.

 

[DopeyDame]

I'm a girl, an engineer, and I teach a class about the history of women in science, so clearly I have a strong opinion about this... I LOOOOVE it!
I think it's wonderful that girls who like pink and flowers and girly-girl things now may find some Legos that they like so they, too, can get the intellectual, spatial-awareness, building, and just plane fun benefits of playing with Legos.
I'm really concerned that so many times our message to little girls often only seems to be "It's OK to like math and science and Star Wars and castles and tools and ..." That's a great message for the little girls who do like Star Wars et al. But what about the little girl who LIKES My Little Poney and kitchens and flowers? What she hears is "Since I don't like Star Wars and guns, I guess I shouldn't like math and science either."

Because there aren't a lot of building-type toys designed with girly-girls in mind, they often don't get the critical play-skills of building and spatial awareness and shapes, etc. that are so critical to developing a mathematicaly and scientifically inclined mind. As the kids get slightly older, even things like the questions used in math and science classes send the message that, while it's OK for girls to like these "boy" things, they are still "boy" things. Danika Miller's middle school math books are FANTSTIC - they are laid out like Seventeen Magazine or something and are very girly-girl centric, but with hard-core math. Alas, they get a lot of the same negative criticism that you see in these threads.

I love anything that sends the message to little girls that they can be beautiful and Princess like and as pink as they want to be, and ALSO be smart and do as much math and science as anyone else in the world.