Opinion: Let Kids and Parents, Not Change.org, Decide on LEGO Friends Dolls

From Fox News Opinion: Opinion: Let Kids and Parents, Not Change.org, Decide on LEGO Friends Dolls

With much anticipation from LEGO lovers, the Danish company launched their new "Friends" line last December targeted at young girls. Now, these five cute mini-dolls are at the center of the latest gender war controversy for being stereotypically girly: too pink and too curvy.

After starting a petition, two women (in their early 20s) from Change.org are meeting with Lego representatives today to discuss how they can “rethink their sexist marketing campaigns” and “stop perpetuate dangerous stereotypes about girls and boys.”

Seriously, how dangerous are these little dolls to our daughters’ self esteem and emotional development?

My 9-year-old daughter and I investigated these little female action figures and learned some fascinating facts. Like American Girl dolls, LEGO developed these figurines with different personalities, interests, likes and dislikes. They wanted to create a sense of community and friendship and a chance for girls to role-play and build.

For instance, Olivia the inventor wants to be a scientist or engineer when she grows up, although her favorite color is pink (clearly, that must be too girly). Mia is an environmentalist, vegan and animal lover, while Andrea is a singer and songwriter. Emma is a karate-kicking fashion designer, and Stephanie the soccer player wants to become a journalist or an editor.

In real life, these mini-dolls would make fine friends and are actually positive role models for young girls. The dolls may look girly, which is what most, not all, young girls might find appealing, but they also go beyond being just a piece of plastic with defined characteristics that do not portray a negative stereotype of women.

Olivia, Mia and the bunch are concerned about the environment and are creative and smart – which sounds a lot like the modern American woman. In fact, LEGO should expand its Friends product line to include Ann the first woman president, Betty the army reservist and Daphne the stay-at-home mom.

Like a number of feminist groups, the Change.org representatives are also advocating for gender neutrality in toys. They have targeted Barbies, Mattel and now LEGOs.

They have criticized LEGO for being sexist in their marketing campaign. The reality is that LEGO had better success selling products for boys. However, LEGO’s boy-focused marketing campaign does not prevent parents from buying these little plastic blocks for their daughters. My daughters have spent hours building tall skyscrapers and houses with the colorful LEGO blocks.

Parents are smart enough to bypass marketing tactics and decide what toys or games are appropriate for their children. We don’t need the help of advocacy groups to target some of our children’s favorite toys.

These feminist groups also spend their time constantly trying to downplay gender differences.