Legos Threaten Childrens' Futures, Self Esteem.

Look out parents; it seems we have yet another threat to our children’s well-being.  As if food additives and online predators were not enough, we now have to worry about Legos. 

The unveiling of the new Lego Friends line, clearly marketed to girls, has stirred controversy.  Its’ offerings include such sets as the “Butterfly Café” and “Heartlake Vet” (with an optional  “Pet Patrol Car”!).  

Clearly this is a problem.  According to an article on latimes.com:

“The new line, whose characters sport slim figures and stylish clothes, will contribute to gender stereotyping that promotes body dissatisfaction in girls.   …The toys send girls a message ‘that being pretty is more important than who you are or what you can do’ ”.  (2012, Jan 23 “ A new lego line is offensive, critics say.”  LA Times. Retrieved from  www.latimes.com/health).

As a mother to both daughters and sons my concern is multiplied.  No one is addressing the obvious implications for little boys. 

The Star Wars series, with its light saber wielding hooligans, must certainly elicit feelings of inadequacy in boys.   I am pretty sure the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement that less than 1% of American boys have mastered the Force.  And what of Lego’s Darth Vader figure?  With his predominantly robotic body, his physical capabilities exceed the average.   Talk about promoting body dissatisfaction. 

The Pirates of the Caribbean series poses yet another threat.   It sends boys the message that being a Pirate is more important than who they are or what they can do.   I am bracing myself for the day my sons tell me they never lived up to their full potential because they could not be a real Pirate.

Meanwhile, if the critics are to be believed, my girls will spend their adult years languishing under the weight of disappointment of never once driving their own Pet Patrol Car.

It is a tough time to be a parent.