Toys ‘R’ Us Responds to Sexism Claims

In recent news, after receiving immense scrutiny from a consumer based group called “Let toys be toys”, one of the world’s largest toy retailers, “Toys ‘R’ Us” pledged to remove explicit gender references from their U.K based marketing campaigns. As noted by sources such as the U.K’s own ‘The Independent’ and the ‘Huffington Post’, the organization is dropping gender labelling as activists believe it is unnecessary for toys to be specifically targeted towards a certain sex.

Megan Perryman, a campaigner of the consumer group expressed her concern that by only exposing children to toys aimed at their gender will eventually limit their thinking and stereotypically shape their principles. This brings upon the ethical issue of sexism and how it is forever present even in matters as innocent as child’s play. No child should be compelled to prefer a certain toy simply because it is aimed at their specific gender.

As an organization, Toys R Us should realize this and thus move forward in their campaign, enacting new marketing efforts which appeal equally to both genders. If they are successful in doing so, it will reflect the company’s strength in meeting the growing demands and changing ideologies of their consumer base.