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gender stereotypes

Green Mama’s Rant: Computer Engineer Barbie

by Jennifer Lance on February 18, 2010 · 11 comments

Photo by MattelComputer Engineer Barbie

Computer Engineer Barbie

It always amazes me when PR people don’t do their homework.  Anyone who does a quick search of Eco Child’s Play would find it quite apparent that I am not in favor of encouraging children to use tech gadgets, have busted Barbie for greenwashing, and detest her boobs.  That’s why I was surprised to be sent announcement about the latest Barbie:  Computer Engineer Barbie.

Computer Engineer Barbie is part of the career series.  Past careers have included astronaut, news anchor, army medic, chef, ballerina, firefighter, flight attendant, aerobics instructor, business executive, etc.  Although many of these roles go beyond typical gender stereotypes, many do not, and in most cases it is a lame attempt at best.  Consider Computer Engineer Barbie with her pink laptop and sparkly skin tight pants…

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An Open Letter to Tonka

by Cate Nelson on June 16, 2009 · 11 comments

I have two boys. When my now-15-month-old turned one, a close friend bought him a Tonka dump truck. It’s big enough for us to push either of those critters around in it. The little guys love it so much that my 3-year-old politely demanded that he get his own Tonka when he turns 4.

But as a kid, I loved machinery and vehicles, too. Many a righteous little girl knows how to rock out a dump truck. So when I saw this from a Facebook friend and mother of a girl, I completely understood. Any parent of boys and girls alike know that some girls like to play in the mud as much as some boys like to play with dolls. Kids don’t really get the gender thing when they’re very young until we teach them what they “should” be playing with.

My friend, Heather, was rather annoyed to see that Tonka Web site was directed to boys. Here is her open letter to the Hasbro/Tonka company:

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