Other Resources The Political Joe » Goldie Blox...women in science, etc. Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
 
 
of 3
 
 
2014-02-03 7:20 PM

User image

Elite
2729
200050010010025
Puyallup, WA
Subject: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

I found out that I was supposed to be offended by the VW Superbowl commercial, because there weren't any (at least not any that were focused on) women engineers in the commercial. I laughed so hard, I could cry. (And, as I mentioned in COJ...there weren't very many women engineers in the auto industry when I was at Toyota 10 yrs ago...)

The one I think is more insulting?? Goldie Blox - That Legos have to have crowns and be pink & purple for girls to like them. I always thought Legos were fairly gender neutral colors...but I do realize that if you go to the store and look for Lego kits, most of them are "boy-like" subject matter.

I do support the idea and even bought some for my niece...I appreciate that they are marketing and encouraging more girls to be interested in math & science fields, but remind me what is so "masculine" about primary colored blocks??

Maybe I'm "lucky" that I had an older brother and there were Lego blocks around...and I don't remember "who" my parents bought them for...



2014-02-03 7:36 PM
in reply to: lkct01234

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

I wish my 4 girls were little again so I could give them some primary colored legos and say, "good luck with these, they're boy colors, they might be hard for you to snap together".   

Alas, of the 4,  one would have tried to eat them, one would have beat her brother with them, one would have fed them to the dog, and the other would try to collect them all from the other three figuring that was the object.

Not an engineer in the bunch. 

2014-02-03 8:10 PM
in reply to: lkct01234

User image

Master
2946
200050010010010010025
Centennial, CO
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Got a 7 year old daughter here.  Trust me they get them to play with the "girlie" lego kits, then the just want more and more and no longer care about the friends line of legos.  My daughter actually used the Chrome builder for lego app this weekend to build a house, then Sat. we had to go to the lego store so she could buy the parts to build her design.  

So proud.

2014-02-04 5:24 AM
in reply to: lkct01234

User image

Champion
14571
50005000200020005002525
the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by lkct01234

I found out that I was supposed to be offended by the VW Superbowl commercial, because there weren't any (at least not any that were focused on) women engineers in the commercial. I laughed so hard, I could cry. (And, as I mentioned in COJ...there weren't very many women engineers in the auto industry when I was at Toyota 10 yrs ago...)

The one I think is more insulting?? Goldie Blox - That Legos have to have crowns and be pink & purple for girls to like them. I always thought Legos were fairly gender neutral colors...but I do realize that if you go to the store and look for Lego kits, most of them are "boy-like" subject matter.

I do support the idea and even bought some for my niece...I appreciate that they are marketing and encouraging more girls to be interested in math & science fields, but remind me what is so "masculine" about primary colored blocks??

Maybe I'm "lucky" that I had an older brother and there were Lego blocks around...and I don't remember "who" my parents bought them for...

i used to be offended by goldie blox, but then i read more about debbie sterling (honorary phi rho) and the story behind how goldie blox came to be.  they DON'T have crowns and princesses and pink and purple - the company logo is YELLOW.  the company's focus is "disturbing the pink aisle."  we had normal legos growing up too - but walk through a toy department the way they are segregated and find legos.  they are firmly in the "boy" aisle.

as for the VW engineers - i work in automotive too - just because not many women is the status quo, it does not mean that it is OK or good.  it was a simple opportunity for VW to give a woman wings - to show that women are engineers too.  (the only woman in the ad is a girl in an elevator that gets goosed when the engineer with her gets his wings).  

the problem overall is that there aren't many messages that girls should be engineers (or doctors or scientists or whatevers) so any opportunity to remind girls that it's an option is a good one.  there are tons of studies about when exactly girls begin to become disinterested in math/science, even though generally they are BETTER at it than boys - don't you think the world is missing out on a ton of potential there?

2014-02-04 8:44 AM
in reply to: mehaner

User image

Elite
4564
200020005002525
Boise
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.
I push these kinds of toys heavily on my 2 year old son. My soon to be born 2nd son will also get them (or what's left of them). Had either of them been a girl I would have done the same thing. I bought my 2 year old a super sweet marble toy set up that has all of the parts and pieces to build a big run where the marbles drop all the way down. I think these kinds of toys really help develop some thinking skills. Even now when he tries to put the pieces together he knows when it's not working properly and he tries to fix it.

While most of these might have a more "male slant" I don't see why they couldn't be for girls either. The marbles are green, red, yellow, blue. The blocks are NC blue, dark blue, white, red, orange, yellow. I think they are fairly neutral colors. The blocks came with a policeman and a fireman so maybe that's discouraging to girls but I've looked and you can buy extra figures for them and they have some girly types if that's what you want.
2014-02-04 7:23 PM
in reply to: JoshR

User image

Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

There are TONS of women cops, firemen, doctors, angels and teachers on Halloween...  You mean those are not their work clothes?



2014-02-04 7:39 PM
in reply to: mehaner

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by mehaner

Originally posted by lkct01234

I found out that I was supposed to be offended by the VW Superbowl commercial, because there weren't any (at least not any that were focused on) women engineers in the commercial. I laughed so hard, I could cry. (And, as I mentioned in COJ...there weren't very many women engineers in the auto industry when I was at Toyota 10 yrs ago...)

The one I think is more insulting?? Goldie Blox - That Legos have to have crowns and be pink & purple for girls to like them. I always thought Legos were fairly gender neutral colors...but I do realize that if you go to the store and look for Lego kits, most of them are "boy-like" subject matter.

I do support the idea and even bought some for my niece...I appreciate that they are marketing and encouraging more girls to be interested in math & science fields, but remind me what is so "masculine" about primary colored blocks??

Maybe I'm "lucky" that I had an older brother and there were Lego blocks around...and I don't remember "who" my parents bought them for...

i used to be offended by goldie blox, but then i read more about debbie sterling (honorary phi rho) and the story behind how goldie blox came to be.  they DON'T have crowns and princesses and pink and purple - the company logo is YELLOW.  the company's focus is "disturbing the pink aisle."  we had normal legos growing up too - but walk through a toy department the way they are segregated and find legos.  they are firmly in the "boy" aisle.

as for the VW engineers - i work in automotive too - just because not many women is the status quo, it does not mean that it is OK or good.  it was a simple opportunity for VW to give a woman wings - to show that women are engineers too.  (the only woman in the ad is a girl in an elevator that gets goosed when the engineer with her gets his wings).  

the problem overall is that there aren't many messages that girls should be engineers (or doctors or scientists or whatevers) so any opportunity to remind girls that it's an option is a good one.  there are tons of studies about when exactly girls begin to become disinterested in math/science, even though generally they are BETTER at it than boys - don't you think the world is missing out on a ton of potential there?

Possibly....so what's stopping them?  (Not meant to be sarcastic at all)

2014-02-04 9:20 PM
in reply to: lkct01234

User image

Elite
2729
200050010010025
Puyallup, WA
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

I guess the VW commercial could offend some...then again, someone could find something offensive about everything. I still think the commercial is funny!

I guess Goldie Blox may encourage girls to want these toys?!? But I'm reading that it's just good parenting or a good, encouraging teacher that allow us to understand we can do what we are good at. Whether it's encouraging you to enter into a field of science or, as Left Brain illustrated, knowing that your children don't need Legos. :-)

To each his OR her own!

2014-02-05 7:22 AM
in reply to: mehaner

User image

Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.
Originally posted by mehaner

[

the problem overall is that there aren't many messages that girls should be engineers (or doctors or scientists or whatevers) so any opportunity to remind girls that it's an option is a good one.  there are tons of studies about when exactly girls begin to become disinterested in math/science, even though generally they are BETTER at it than boys - don't you think the world is missing out on a ton of potential there?




My sister is a PhD Molecular Biologist (there's some fancy schmancy name for her particular specialty but she says that's close enough) so no I don't agree there aren't many messages about girls in science.

If girls in general lose interest in math/science, then no I don't think the world is missing out at all. I would much rather have people doing what they're interested in rather than what other people push them to do and be miserable their whole lives.

Equal opportunity is exactly that, opportunity, not mandates.

2014-02-05 7:50 AM
in reply to: DanielG

User image

Pro
5755
50005001001002525
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

I work in Life Sciences, and there is pretty much an equal ratio of women to men in both industry and academia. Chemistry is a little male-biased. I do know quite a few women chemists, but they are in academia.

I see a problem in Engineering. My son is a senior and spent 4 years in a magnet program for Engineering at his HS. 22 kids in his class, all male. There are a maximum of 3 girls in each of the freshman-junior classes.

Besides the message it's sending about women, it's made social interactions like dating and prom difficult.

2014-02-05 8:36 AM
in reply to: lkct01234

User image

Champion
14571
50005000200020005002525
the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by lkct01234

I guess the VW commercial could offend some...then again, someone could find something offensive about everything. I still think the commercial is funny!

I guess Goldie Blox may encourage girls to want these toys?!? But I'm reading that it's just good parenting or a good, encouraging teacher that allow us to understand we can do what we are good at. Whether it's encouraging you to enter into a field of science or, as Left Brain illustrated, knowing that your children don't need Legos. :-)

To each his OR her own!

isn't the point of all commercials to encourage a consumer to want what you are selling?



2014-02-05 8:50 AM
in reply to: 0

User image

Expert
852
5001001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by lkct01234

The one I think is more insulting?? Goldie Blox - That Legos have to have crowns and be pink & purple for girls to like them. I always thought Legos were fairly gender neutral colors...but I do realize that if you go to the store and look for Lego kits, most of them are "boy-like" subject matter.

Um yeah, missing the whole point of Goldie Blox here, which is exactly that they are in fact NOT pink legos, but rather a complex toy that teaches your daughter to build in a fun way that appeals to girls. The product was developed as a reaction to the appearance of pink legos - the developer thought that was dumb. They are not legos - they're really cool, and one of the best things I've bought for my daughter. 

I've got a chemical engineering degree and yes, engineering is very male-dominated. That's okay, but I think it's okay to encourage girls in math and science. I have a daughter and a son and I will say that despite all of my preconceptions prior to having children, they ARE different. They learn differently, they are attracted to different types of toys and activities. Why is it wrong to develop a product that appeals to a girl's different learning style?

My daughter is a girly-girl and loves pink. As much as I hate to admit it, she really would rather play with something pink than something red and blue. I know that seems really dumb to a bunch of logical adults, but it is what it is. Why should that mean she can't like math and science and building things too? As she started to get older, I started to get frustrated by how all the boy toys DO COOL THINGS, and all the girls toys do nothing. And she doesn't like that either, but she's a girly-girl so she doesn't want to play with a freaking truck (or a Star Wars lego set, because yeah, they're not really "primary colored blocks" nowadays) - she just doesn't. So what's wrong with someone designing an awesome toy, for girls, that does cool stuff? 

There's this underlying attitude in this thread that a girl ought to be a tomboy to end up a scientist or engineer, and I'm sorry, but that's BS. Yes, a lot of my friends in engineering school were tomboys who played with trucks when they were kids, but a lot of us were girly girls too. I like makeup and yoga and dressing up (and I wear pink when I mountain bike!), and I was really good at engineering when it was my job (I'm an artist now, but I worked as an engineer for 7 years). You don't have to be one or the other, and I applaud the creator of this toy for acknowledging that.



Edited by Stacers 2014-02-05 9:01 AM
2014-02-05 9:08 AM
in reply to: Stacers

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by Stacers

Originally posted by lkct01234

The one I think is more insulting?? Goldie Blox - That Legos have to have crowns and be pink & purple for girls to like them. I always thought Legos were fairly gender neutral colors...but I do realize that if you go to the store and look for Lego kits, most of them are "boy-like" subject matter.

Um yeah, missing the whole point of Goldie Blox here, which is exactly that they are in fact NOT pink legos, but rather a complex toy that teaches your daughter to build in a fun way that appeals to girls. The product was developed as a reaction to the appearance of pink legos - the developer thought that was dumb. They are not legos - they're really cool, and one of the best things I've bought for my daughter. 

I've got a chemical engineering degree and yes, engineering is very male-dominated. That's okay, but I think it's okay to encourage girls in math and science. I have a daughter and a son and I will say that despite all of my preconceptions prior to having children, they ARE different. They learn differently, they are attracted to different types of toys and activities. Why is it wrong to develop a product that appeals to a girl's different learning style?

My daughter is a girly-girl and loves pink. Why should that mean she can't like math and science and building things too? As she started to get older, I started to get frustrated by how all the boy toys DO COOL THINGS, and all the girls toys do nothing. And she doesn't like that either, but she's a girly-girl so she doesn't want to play with a freaking truck (or a Star Wars lego set, because yeah, they're not really "primary colored blocks" nowadays) - she just doesn't. So what's wrong with someone designing an awesome toy, for girls, that does cool stuff? 

There's this underlying attitude in this thread that a girl ought to be a tomboy to end up a scientist or engineer, and I'm sorry, but that's BS. Yes, a lot of my friends in engineering school were tomboys who played with trucks when they were kids, but a lot of us were girly girls too. I like makeup and yoga and dressing up (and I wear pink when I mountain bike!), and I was really good at engineering when it was my job (I'm an artist now, but I worked as an engineer for 7 years). You don't have to be one or the other, and I applaud the creator of this toy for acknowledging that.

Like what kind of cool stuff?  Most of the "cool stuff" that boy toys do revolve around shooting, exploding, etc.........or as in your example, something along the same lines, like a rocket, or spaceship....and what's male dominant about star wars?  It was a movie, and rocket ships aren't pink.  I'm not trying to give you a hard time and, like I've said, I have 4 daughters (two grown and very succesful), and one son.  If someone can come up with a girl toy that turns into a horse and runs around the room I've got one who will think that's cool, but what else?

Look, awesome toys are for boys.....deal with it.

2014-02-05 10:22 AM
in reply to: Left Brain

User image

Expert
852
5001001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by Left Brain

Like what kind of cool stuff?  Most of the "cool stuff" that boy toys do revolve around shooting, exploding, etc.........or as in your example, something along the same lines, like a rocket, or spaceship....and what's male dominant about star wars?  It was a movie, and rocket ships aren't pink.  I'm not trying to give you a hard time and, like I've said, I have 4 daughters (two grown and very succesful), and one son.  If someone can come up with a girl toy that turns into a horse and runs around the room I've got one who will think that's cool, but what else?

Look, awesome toys are for boys.....deal with it.

With all due respect, I beg to differ - I DO think you're trying to give me a hard time.

My daughter is two years ahead of grade in math, and currently thinks science is awesome - it's really important to me that she grows up thinking she can be what she wants to be, and so I think about ways to encourage her in these areas every day. It's a big deal to me. I think about it a lot.

Most of the "cool stuff" that boy toys do revolves around mechanical motion of some sort - action and reaction. Yes, shooting and exploding, but a whole lot of other actions as well. Building, moving, cause and effect - these are the foundation of engineering. A Barbie just looks pretty. American Girl dolls just look pretty. Most girl toys are made for imaginary play, they don't have a mechanical component. They don't teach problem solving.

When you say "And what's male dominant about Star Wars?" that's EXACTLY what I take issue with. There are a lot of adults out there that want to say there's nothing inherently masculine about primary colors or Star Wars or Legos, and why can't girls just play with those things? And that makes sense to an adult, I get it. But it doesn't always work with a kid. When you get a girl like my daughter who happens to be awesome at math and science but has an affinity for pink, you start to wish there were some more mechanically-oriented toys out there that would appeal to her. The product that this thread is about does exactly that, and it's awesome.

Look, I personally think Star Wars rocks. I've seen all the movies, and I dig it. My 7 year old daughter does not. I don't know why, and I'm not going to spend a lot of time worrying about it. I think it's probably a lot easier to design and sell a cool engineering toy that appeals to girls (GoldieBlox) than it will be to completely overhaul society such that our daughters don't come home from Kindergarten thinking pink and Barbies are cool.

We don't get offended when Mattel designs toys that explode and shoot things to appeal to boys. Why should we be offended when an intelligent woman designs a toy that appeals to girls?

 

2014-02-05 10:35 AM
in reply to: Left Brain

User image

Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.
Originally posted by Left Brain

Like what kind of cool stuff?  Most of the "cool stuff" that boy toys do revolve around shooting, exploding, etc.........or as in your example, something along the same lines, like a rocket, or spaceship....and what's male dominant about star wars?  It was a movie, and rocket ships aren't pink.  I'm not trying to give you a hard time and, like I've said, I have 4 daughters (two grown and very succesful), and one son.  If someone can come up with a girl toy that turns into a horse and runs around the room I've got one who will think that's cool, but what else?

Look, awesome toys are for boys.....deal with it.




Well, I know Barbie's camper cannot survive a rocket attack by G.I. Joe using bottle rockets. Barbie lasts about 24 filled with gasoline before dissolving enough to drain. But it was the sister that went into the hard sciences

2014-02-05 10:48 AM
in reply to: Stacers

User image

Regular
5477
5000100100100100252525
LHOTP
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

 

I love these conversations :)

My kids (girls 8 And 7 and boy who is 3) got a Glodie Bloxs set last year from their Aunt who had read about the idea and thought it sounded cool (same Aunt has bought them an embarrassing amount of AG dolls and stuff).  Goldi Blox are "ok".  I actually like the premise quite a bit, and it does help kids experiment with some fundamentals of mechanics--if I remember correctly, gears, pullys, friction.  Unfortunately, it is still plastic crap that has a dedicated use, and once you've figured out the few permutations of the gear design it loses its appeal and takes its place in the back of the closet.

In our house, the most popular "toys" are those that don't have a dedicated purpose and have a lot of flexability.  If you have imaginative kids and let them play, they figure out a lot of stuff on their own.  A cardboard box is always popular and there's a reason it has a spot in the Toy Hall of Fame.  Scraps of wood, a hammer and nails go a looooong way in teaching engineering and building; trial and error building a treehouse is an authentic lesson with real-life consequences.   Cooking utensils and a cooking bench that's their height (one of the best things we did in our kitchen) has served as a great place to get cooking skills which some might think is "girly" but I would say that preparing and eating good food is a gender nuetral skill and cooking teaches a lot of math and science.  A sewing kit and eventually a machine--traditionally very "girly" things--can teach a helluva lot of math and science too.  Those American Girl dolls have lots of different outfits that the girls have actually sewn for them--measurement, spatial ability, tensile strength, and promlem solving.  It's all there :)

 



2014-02-05 10:53 AM
in reply to: 0

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by Stacers

Originally posted by Left Brain

Like what kind of cool stuff?  Most of the "cool stuff" that boy toys do revolve around shooting, exploding, etc.........or as in your example, something along the same lines, like a rocket, or spaceship....and what's male dominant about star wars?  It was a movie, and rocket ships aren't pink.  I'm not trying to give you a hard time and, like I've said, I have 4 daughters (two grown and very succesful), and one son.  If someone can come up with a girl toy that turns into a horse and runs around the room I've got one who will think that's cool, but what else?

Look, awesome toys are for boys.....deal with it.

With all due respect, I beg to differ - I DO think you're trying to give me a hard time.

My daughter is two years ahead of grade in math, and currently thinks science is awesome - it's really important to me that she grows up thinking she can be what she wants to be, and so I think about ways to encourage her in these areas every day. It's a big deal to me. I think about it a lot.

Most of the "cool stuff" that boy toys do revolves around mechanical motion of some sort - action and reaction. Yes, shooting and exploding, but a whole lot of other actions as well. Building, moving, cause and effect - these are the foundation of engineering. A Barbie just looks pretty. American Girl dolls just look pretty. Most girl toys are made for imaginary play, they don't have a mechanical component. They don't teach problem solving.

When you say "And what's male dominant about Star Wars?" that's EXACTLY what I take issue with. There are a lot of adults out there that want to say there's nothing inherently masculine about primary colors or Star Wars or Legos, and why can't girls just play with those things? And that makes sense to an adult, I get it. But it doesn't always work with a kid. When you get a girl like my daughter who happens to be awesome at math and science but has an affinity for pink, you start to wish there were some more mechanically-oriented toys out there that would appeal to her. The product that this thread is about does exactly that, and it's awesome.

Look, I personally think Star Wars rocks. I've seen all the movies, and I dig it. My 7 year old daughter does not. I don't know why, and I'm not going to spend a lot of time worrying about it. I think it's probably a lot easier to design and sell a cool engineering toy that appeals to girls (GoldieBlox) than it will be to completely overhaul society such that our daughters don't come home from Kindergarten thinking pink and Barbies are cool.

We don't get offended when Mattel designs toys that explode and shoot things to appeal to boys. Why should we be offended when an intelligent woman designs a toy that appeals to girls?

 

My 13 year old twin girls rock at math....both score in the 99% percentile on anything math related.  One wants to be a Veterinarian, the other wants to be a Nutritionist like her big sister.  I have to say that I don't believe the toys they played with as kids had ONE BIT to do with their affinity for math or their career desires.  Their other sister is a pharmaceutical rep.....she hated toys unless there was a ball involved.  Three of them are girly girls, the horse kid is mean as a snake and even boys are afraid of her. 

Kids will be what they will be.....and one day you'll give all the toys to Good Will and wonder why they don't play with them anymore.  You had it right in your first post......boys and girls learn differently, and I'll tell you something else, they grow differently, think differently, and want different things as well.  There is NOTHING that stops a girl from being whatever she wants to be....there are less girls in the math/science fields because there are fewer girls, proportionally to boys, who are interested in those fields....it's nature, not toys.

 



Edited by Left Brain 2014-02-05 10:54 AM
2014-02-05 11:09 AM
in reply to: Left Brain

User image

Expert
852
5001001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by Left Brain

There is NOTHING that stops a girl from being whatever she wants to be....there are less girls in the math/science fields because there are fewer girls, proportionally to boys, who are interested in those fields....it's nature, not toys.

That's really awesome of you to think as a man, but I call BS. You can stick your head in the sand and act like women have always had the same opportunities as men in these fields, but until you go work in a chemical plant or on a drilling rig, I don't think you really know what it's like out there.

If she doesn't know it's an option, how does she know if she's interested? When I went to engineering school my graduating class was 21% female - it was record-breaking at the time. The same school now boasts 29% females in the student body, 14 years later. 40 years ago, 0% female. This is because as more women enter technical fields, more girls see engineering as an option where they might not have been aware of it before. My daughter knows engineering is a valid career choice (as is teacher, or veterinarian, or artist) because she KNOWS women who are engineers. 40 years ago, unheard of. 20 years ago, a possibility, but still mostly unheard of. You make it sound like women are genetically predisposed to not be interested in engineering - if that were the case, you wouldn't see the numbers of female engineers continually increasing. Opportunity is there that hasn't always been. 

Why does it get everyone's panties in a bunch that there's a freaking TOY on the market to encourage young girls in engineering? Does this even affect your life at all Left Brain? Seriously? That's what this thread is about - whether or not we should be offended by the existence of this toy. My answer is NO. Whatever we can do to encourage young girls, let's allow it. Especially when it's not hurting anyone else, or asking anything of you at all. I realize that this is not going to be the end-all be-all of what my kid chooses to be as an adult, but come on - I'd like to at least give her something constructive to do on Christmas morning, rather than brushing her Barbie's hair.

2014-02-05 11:37 AM
in reply to: Stacers

User image

Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.
Originally posted by Stacers

Why does it get everyone's panties in a bunch that there's a freaking TOY on the market to encourage young girls in engineering? Does this even affect your life at all Left Brain? Seriously? That's what this thread is about - whether or not we should be offended by the existence of this toy. My answer is NO. Whatever we can do to encourage young girls, let's allow it.



Psst: It's not the guys who are pantie bunching about this. It's the womanists.

http://pigtailpalsblog.com/2013/11/stop-using-stereotypes-to-sell-s...

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/11/26/goldieblox_disrupti...
2014-02-05 11:42 AM
in reply to: DanielG

User image

Expert
852
5001001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by DanielG
Originally posted by Stacers

Why does it get everyone's panties in a bunch that there's a freaking TOY on the market to encourage young girls in engineering? Does this even affect your life at all Left Brain? Seriously? That's what this thread is about - whether or not we should be offended by the existence of this toy. My answer is NO. Whatever we can do to encourage young girls, let's allow it.

Psst: It's not the guys who are pantie bunching about this. It's the womanists. http://pigtailpalsblog.com/2013/11/stop-using-stereotypes-to-sell-s... http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/11/26/goldieblox_disrupti...

I don't recall saying it was guys? Did I make that point and miss it? Does it even matter? Let's recap. Woman starts thread being offended about toy. Men chime in about how kids can play with whatever toys they want. I defend said toy and it's purpose. Man on this particular thread wants to argue about it. I defend my point to HIM, not to the random women on the internet who also have issue with said toy.

I don't care whether it's women or men who have their panties in a bunch. My point is that there's a place for it and we need not be offended.

2014-02-05 11:47 AM
in reply to: lkct01234

User image

Extreme Veteran
1001
1000
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.
Not sure about the Lego colors but both my girls had the regular Legos. Neither of my daughters (13 & 15) are as my oldest says "Girly Girls", they both enjoy kicking boys butts online playing Halo and Call of Duty.

My youngest daughter wants to be a Robotics Engineer. We bought her a Robot Making Kit for her 13th birthday last year.


2014-02-05 11:48 AM
in reply to: Stacers

User image

Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.
Originally posted by Stacers

Originally posted by DanielG
Originally posted by Stacers

Why does it get everyone's panties in a bunch that there's a freaking TOY on the market to encourage young girls in engineering? Does this even affect your life at all Left Brain? Seriously? That's what this thread is about - whether or not we should be offended by the existence of this toy. My answer is NO. Whatever we can do to encourage young girls, let's allow it.

Psst: It's not the guys who are pantie bunching about this. It's the womanists. http://pigtailpalsblog.com/2013/11/stop-using-stereotypes-to-sell-s... http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/11/26/goldieblox_disrupti...

I don't recall saying it was guys? Did I make that point and miss it? Does it even matter? Let's recap. Woman starts thread being offended about toy. Men chime in about how kids can play with whatever toys they want. I defend said toy and it's purpose. Man on this particular thread wants to argue about it. I defend my point to HIM, not to the random women on the internet who also have issue with said toy.

I don't care whether it's women or men who have their panties in a bunch. My point is that there's a place for it and we need not be offended.




Wow. Just wow.

Enjoy your evening.

2014-02-05 11:54 AM
in reply to: Stacers

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by Stacers

Originally posted by DanielG
Originally posted by Stacers

Why does it get everyone's panties in a bunch that there's a freaking TOY on the market to encourage young girls in engineering? Does this even affect your life at all Left Brain? Seriously? That's what this thread is about - whether or not we should be offended by the existence of this toy. My answer is NO. Whatever we can do to encourage young girls, let's allow it.

Psst: It's not the guys who are pantie bunching about this. It's the womanists. http://pigtailpalsblog.com/2013/11/stop-using-stereotypes-to-sell-s... http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/11/26/goldieblox_disrupti...

I don't recall saying it was guys? Did I make that point and miss it? Does it even matter? Let's recap. Woman starts thread being offended about toy. Men chime in about how kids can play with whatever toys they want. I defend said toy and it's purpose. Man on this particular thread wants to argue about it. I defend my point to HIM, not to the random women on the internet who also have issue with said toy.

I don't care whether it's women or men who have their panties in a bunch. My point is that there's a place for it and we need not be offended.

Uh....I have yet to be offended.....I don't even know what the toy looks like, and didn't see the commercial.  It's a toy.....in the end it will mean nothing to anyone's development.  

 I'm not arguing either.....but I can.

I'm guessing someone blew your barbie house up with a rocket when you were young......and you had to rebuild with legos.

2014-02-05 2:47 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

User image

Master
2477
2000100100100100252525
Oceanside, California
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.
I think that it is a great idea.

Many toys maybe designed to be gender neutral, but marketing does matter.

I have a boy and a girl.

Both my wife and I are educated professionals who do are darndest to raise our children free of gender stereotypes, focusing on STEM academics and athletics equally for both.

However, somedays we it feels like we are in a one sided battle against neighbors, relatives, media, classmates, and random old ladies on the street.

My daughter will play legos occasionally if her brother can talk her into it, but she will only shop in for toys in that one pink aisle.

We got her Goldieblox, and she loves them.

The colors and marketing work for her, and it is good start.

I even like the T-shirt, "More than just a Princess."

Exactly how I feel, I am not going to talk her out of watching Disney Princess movies (although I have hit my limit on 1000's of repeats of "Let It Go"), but she should balance it with other stuff.


also, that link is to a website that sells stuff to the same market group that Goldieblox want to appeal to.... just sayin'
2014-02-05 3:26 PM
in reply to: eabeam

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: Goldie Blox...women in science, etc.

Originally posted by eabeam I think that it is a great idea. Many toys maybe designed to be gender neutral, but marketing does matter. I have a boy and a girl. Both my wife and I are educated professionals who do are darndest to raise our children free of gender stereotypes, focusing on STEM academics and athletics equally for both. However, somedays we it feels like we are in a one sided battle against neighbors, relatives, media, classmates, and random old ladies on the street. My daughter will play legos occasionally if her brother can talk her into it, but she will only shop in for toys in that one pink aisle. We got her Goldieblox, and she loves them. The colors and marketing work for her, and it is good start. I even like the T-shirt, "More than just a Princess." Exactly how I feel, I am not going to talk her out of watching Disney Princess movies (although I have hit my limit on 1000's of repeats of "Let It Go"), but she should balance it with other stuff. also, that link is to a website that sells stuff to the same market group that Goldieblox want to appeal to.... just sayin'

Can you explain the bolded part?  You really feel like you are in a battle to get your daughter the same educational/athletic opportunities as your son?  I'm asking because we have never felt that way in dealing with our 5 children.

New Thread
Other Resources The Political Joe » Goldie Blox...women in science, etc. Rss Feed  
 
 
of 3
 
 
RELATED ARTICLES
date : February 17, 2013
author : hoffsquared
comments : 0
I was pretty excited to test out a triathlon-specific gear bag. I'm on the lookout for something functional, comfortable, and maybe even a bit stylish.
 
date : March 10, 2009
author : t3coach1
comments : 0
Looking to shave some time off and improve your swim efficiency during your races? We review the Rocket Skin Suit by Rocket Science Sports.
date : October 4, 2007
author : R_Laberje
comments : 14
Humorous short story about giving up feminine luxuries for the triathlon fitness lifestyle.
 
date : September 10, 2007
author : DominiqueL
comments : 1
The folks at RSS weren’t happy with the 4.75, so they updated the backpack and sent me a new one. They have continued engineering this already fantastic bag to make it even better.
date : March 8, 2007
author : Iron MaYden
comments : 2
How tricked out can someone make a triathlon duffel bag that stands out from the rest?
 
date : June 6, 2006
author : DominiqueL
comments : 0
The Elite wetsuit was redesigned four times before going to the market in order to maximize its benefits. Does all this speed come at the expense of comfort? I had to find out.
date : June 6, 2006
author : DominiqueL
comments : 1
Until now, I have shied away from triathlon-specific gear bags. They were just too small for my needs. So imagine my skepticism the day the RRS Triathlon Backpack showed up on my door.
 
date : June 6, 2006
author : DominiqueL
comments : 1
Rocket Science Sports has applied its hyper-technical approach to designing a water bottle. The result is a water bottle with dimples similar to those on a golf ball.