Memo to Santa: Girls want Bob, not Barbie

3rd December 2007

Memo to Santa: Girls want Bob, not Barbie

posted in Body-Affirming, Eating Disorders, Gender and Sexuality, Pop Culture |

New marketing research by toy manufacturer Martin Yaffe gives some cause for celebration. The company put this year’s top Christmas toys to the test, with seven out of 10 girls opting to play with toys designed for boys over the traditional girls’ alternatives.

All disgust at the perpetuation of gender roles aside, here’s the real cause celeb: Bob the Builder emerged as the top coveted character this Christmas, outshining girl favorites like Barbie and Bratz.

Barbie, of course, has breasts so massive her slender frame would not be able to support such heaving bosoms, while the more recent Bratz dolls have increasingly come under fire for contributing to the sexualization of girls.

The American Psychological Association recently released research that shows exposure to sexy images from an early age has a devastating impact on mental and physical health, leading to low self-esteem, depression and the onset of eating disorders.

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This entry was posted on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 12:45 am and is filed under Body-Affirming, Eating Disorders, Gender and Sexuality, Pop Culture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On December 3rd, 2007, vesta44

said:

Maybe it’s shows like Toolbelt Diva that are showing girls they can build just like Bob. I was lucky, my dad always thought I could do anything my brother could, so I learned how to change the oil in my car (and lots of other routine maintenance), I learned how to do basic carpentry and plumbing, plus other things that aren’t considered “womanly” (and I liked learning those things).

posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 2:20 am

2 On December 3rd, 2007, Fatadelic

Is it any wonder girls prefer neutral / boys’ toys to the stuff that is marketed to specifically for girls? Let this be a lesson to manufacturers and advertisers; girls want toys that engage them.

posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 4:06 am

3 On December 3rd, 2007, Linda

Apparently, Tonka did not get the memo (see their ads: Tonka Toy Trucks. Built for Boyhood). It must be nice to blow off half your potential customers.

posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 6:23 am

4 On December 3rd, 2007, Shade

I saw that Tonka commercial last night. Treated my hubby to a five-minute diatribe immediately afterwards. It really feels like we’re moving backwards.

posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 9:05 am

5 On December 3rd, 2007, nuckingfutz

Actually, I think it’s the TV show itself that has appealed so much to little girls. I have 4 of them, and my 2 youngest are BIG Bob fans. But I think it’s Wendy that really gets to the little girls. She’s a woman, but she can do everything Bob can do, and sometimes even do it better. She shows them that just because they’re girls doesn’t mean they can’t do the same things boys do.

And yeah… my 7-year-old has asked for some Bob stuff for Christmas.

posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 10:52 am

6 On December 3rd, 2007, DivaJean

I think its high time for more girls to realize that they don’t have to be pretty pink consumers who only want shoppnig dolls concerned about looks and fashion.

I thank the stars above that my daughter has moved on from Bratz (the worst of the worst) and Barbie on to AMerican Girl. She is a doll person (as am I) but is now trending towards the historical aspects of her dolls and learning to create for them (sewing clothes, making crafts, building furniture, etc). Yeah, it’s still dolls- but no longer about what to BUY next and what the style is at the mall.

posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 12:23 pm

7 On December 3rd, 2007, Rachel

To the parents here, what do you do when your children want toys, such as Bratz dolls, that you feel are harmful for them? Besides American Girl dolls, are there are traditionally “girl” toys you’d recommend?

I don’t have kids, but I do have three young nephews and a niece to buy for for the holidays. I get all the kids books, and then usually a fun toy. My niece is very smart so I tend to get her games, since she enjoys the stimulation more than most toys. I refuse to buy the boys guns, war toys and generally anything I feel promotes violence. This year, 6-year-old Curtis got walkie-talkies and a game, and 4-year-old Corbin got a remote control Buzz Lightyear car. Caleb is just a baby, so he’s easy to buy for.

posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 3:52 pm

8 On December 3rd, 2007, DivaJean

I don’t believe in banning an item unless it is potentially physically harmful. Because of the way war toys are played with, they fall into this category- my son gets really violent and overly aggressive.

As for the dolls, although I looked at Bratz and saw “whore totem”, I knew my daughter being 6 at the time didn’t get that. She got a few and bought herself some at a happenstance garage sale. When she played Bratz dolls, I noticed the entire premise of play was about looking “the best” and “getting the boy.” An icky dynamic. Even when she played Barbie, at least she had more of an underlying storyline (if you will) to her playing. There was more interesting dialog between the dolls and some of the other types of Barbies (Kelleys, skipper, etc) brought in some intergenerational play. Much less disturbing. The best play- however- in littler dolls has been with my old collection of Sunshine family dolls from the 70’s. They were all about recycling and crafting- the family had mom, dad, and a baby originally. The Happy family was the black equivelent and I had those too. Ultimately, grandparents and pets were added. My daughter really has fun playing with these, although the dad’s arm is held on by a rubber band. SOmething about the type of plastic used. I am actually surprised Mattel or someone else hasn’t reissued these in the days of learning to be green and recycle.

As for boys toys- my son is not a very toy oriented kid. He is 5 and is more about art work and projects or music. He would rather make up a dance than play action figures. He also is more of play pretend kid- his favorite item is a Harry Potter wand, closely followed by his Nimbus 2000 broomstick. When it came in the mail (bought from eBay) this Halloween, you would have thought it really flies from the reaction it got. My son couldn’t wait thru dinner to take it outside. When I reminded him it didn’t fly, he said he knew, but wanted to pretend. I reinforced this by yelling out the window when he was playing such things as “Remember to fly lower so I can see you!”

posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 4:21 pm

9 On December 9th, 2007, Irma Gámez

Some girls actually prefer toys for boys, including me. I rathered cars than dolls. Maybe because these girl’s interests are oriented to not just the little house play but construction, racing and other plays who boys play

posted on December 9th, 2007 at 11:43 am

10 On December 17th, 2007, daizi

My daughter has asked for a Barbie this Christmas, and it just feels uncomfortable to buy her something that is so artificial…the difficulty I have is in expressing why to well meaning family members. I can’t stop thinking that Barbie is a very sexual toy (that’s just my interpretation) for young girls and promoting a fashion conciousness and body awareness. (although as i talked more to my 5 year old daughter she seemed to be ‘projecting’ her princess onto the doll…it seems as if what she would really like is to have the sparkly jewellry, and be dressed up special…so i think we will have some glittery princess style fun!)Thanks for the inspiration tho folks…I think I will look for a dressing up doll that is more realistic…:)

posted on December 17th, 2007 at 6:11 pm

11 On December 17th, 2007, Rachel

I have a total of 5 little girls to buy for this year, between family and the children of friends. I won’t buy them Barbie or Bratz dolls and I generally steer clear of anything I feel reinforces gender roles. Two of the little girls like to play dress-up, say their moms. So, I did buy some dress-up kind of stuff but it’s all innocent.

posted on December 17th, 2007 at 9:01 pm

12 On December 18th, 2007, littlem

“I saw that Tonka commercial last night. Treated my hubby to a five-minute diatribe immediately afterwards. It really feels like we’re moving backwards.”

We are totally moving backwards. I had a Tonka truck when I was four. It’s green. I knew there was some reason beyond ridiculous nostalgia that I kept it — to remind me perhaps of a saner time?

My godkids always get gender neutral presents, like board games in languages other than English, or interactive teaching DVDs. This is why.

Sheesh.

posted on December 18th, 2007 at 12:34 am

13 On November 12th, 2008, Yes, Virginia, there are gender-neutral toys » The-F-Word.org said:

[...] most dominant and marketed. Not all kids tow gender stereotypes, of course. Last year, more girls opted for Bob the Builder than Barbie, but nonetheless, these toys remain classified as “boy’s [...]

posted on November 12th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

14 On November 12th, 2008, Richard Mullen

Like I said in a different post, marketing these days is stupid. My girls like playing with dirt and getting outside so why wouldn’t they enjoy shovels and Tonka Trucks? Nothing wrong with liking Barbie and putting her in the truck.

Sterotypes are stupid and they hinder our kids so much. My girls see me in the kitchen tearing it up like Iron chef while mommy balances the check book.

posted on November 12th, 2008 at 12:45 pm