Let’s see if we can’t spot the stupid here: Not the kids, and not Lydia Lovric, a columnist I enjoy reading whenever I can find her column, who writes nearly sneeringly (not nearly sneeringly enough for me) about Christmas gift-buying as prescribed by a feminist. Barbie for her, G.I. Joe for him. (National Post requires a subscription for this article).
The New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women wants to give certain Christmas toys the ol’ heave ho ho. The council is urging parents to steer clear of presents that may promote violence or sexist stereotypes.
Presumably this means that little Billy won’t be finding the latest Spiderman action figure, Dr. Octopus, under the Christmas tree and little Suzie should forget about baking meals in her very own Easy Bake Oven. Rock’em, Sock’em Robots and Holiday Barbie dolls are almost certainly out of the question.
Ultimately, parents have to decide which toys deliver a sexist message, says Rosella Melanson, Executive Director of the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
So what does Melanson have to say when it comes to the buxom blond beauty? (No, not Pamela Anderson—the other plastic doll: Barbie.)
“I think Barbie has become more of a problem in terms of the image that it gives women,” explains Melanson. “I’m sure that most women who are feminist today had a Barbie at some point, so it’s not like it’s the end of the world to have one. But if that’s the only kind of presents [a girl receives]—… a Barbie, plus a make-up kit, plus a Britney Spears outfit—then I think the kid is not stupid and will get the message that that is her lot in life. To be pretty and that’s all.”
[…]
When I asked Rosella Melanson what her favourite toy was, she said she couldn’t remember. Either she honestly can’t recall (which is kind of sad) or she’s afraid fellow feminists won’t approve of her answer. That’s even sadder.
PTBC was founded by Mr. Johannesen in 2000.
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