BLOG # 5 - CINDERELLA ATE ME (ARGUMENT)
Peggy Orenstein is very opinionated and analytical in her writing style concerning the marketing of children’s toys and her interpretation of Disney movies. The author begins with her version of the Disney Kid / Princesses and proceeds to discuss Barbie dolls, Shirley Temple, American Girl Dolls, Bratz Dolls, the color pink on all things girly and originally meant for both genders, i.e.: Monopoly, Tinker Toys for girls, and how Barbie dolls were marketed to the younger child.
Every topic the author brought up was dissected and ripped apart. Young children do not watch Disney movies with judgmental eyes. They watch with fascination and develop their own imaginations. These children are playing. They do not believe what they are watching is real, is exactly what their lives will be someday. Fantasy or make believe is a valuable tool to express oneself, find out what you like and don’t like, and to decipher right from wrong.
I grew up with an older brother. He is 2 and half years older than me. Jonathan’s toys were always available for me to play with (age appropriately) but my mom told me that I always gravitated to my own genders toys, baby dolls, tea parties, doll carriages, shopping carts, cleaning toys, Pretty Pretty Princess board game (played with dad - too funny). I never even glanced at Jonathan’s trucks, trains, tinker toys, screwdrivers and hammers, etc. But put me in a sand box with some water, bowls, and spoons and I was in my glory baking mud pies. It wasn’t anything I was taught, it was innate.
This article makes me uncomfortable, upset and disturbed about what is going on in society. Big business, in its insatiable quest to make more money, is manipulating children’s toys, toys that are clearly gender neutral. I agree that a girl would hesitate to invite a boy to play Monopoly on a “Pepto Bismol” Monopoly board (her words). I happen to like the color Pink. It has always been my favorite color. There is no need to rip it to pieces. Yes, there are too many pink toys. But don’t make the color seem so taboo.
My mom always taught me to not let people’s opinions of my own likes and dislikes bother me. But I do. Let the kids be kids. Don’t over analyze every move they make. Let them fantasize. They will find out soon enough how the world works....won’t they?
Thinking Points: Wether you agree with my blog post or not, Do you think children (both girls and boys) suffer any kind of set back by playing with toys that are meant for both genders or a game that simply has a PINK box on it?
Thinking Points: Wether you agree with my blog post or not, Do you think children (both girls and boys) suffer any kind of set back by playing with toys that are meant for both genders or a game that simply has a PINK box on it?
Great job expressing how you disagree about some of the authors points in how she breaks everything down. I especially like your use of your own experiences to support your claims. That video is pretty intense too. Ha definitely something it seems I'd do at that age, maybe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how you just gravitated to those gender specific toys not because you were a girl but probably because that is the type of personality and toys you liked! If your are readily available to all types of toys but still pick the "girl" ones then that completely over rides what the author was saying !
ReplyDeleteExactly Kaela! that is why I was so frustrated and annoyed with this article! My mom has told me on multiple occasions that I always played with baby dolls and LOVED the color pink it was never taught to me. I love to take care of people babies and adults alike cooking and baking has always been fun for me as well =)
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