Shelves overflowing with dolls and pink bows on one side, monsters and trucks on the other. This is the model for many toy stores that offer “for him” and “for her” entertainment. It won’t be like this anymore. At least not in California. Here, legislation went into effect requiring major retailers to have a section dedicated to “gender neutral,” meaning those who do not identify with traditional gender divisions.
The news concerns larger stores with at least 500 employees. The principle is to showcase a “reasonable selection” of toys that can be marketed to children of both sexes. The law was passed in 2021 at the urging of the state’s Democratic congressman, Evan Low. He himself remembers it all when an 8-year-old girl, the daughter of a colleague, asked, “Why does a store have to tell me that a T-shirt or a toy is for a girl?” He said it started with him asking: “The law will help children express themselves freely and without prejudice,” Low said.
Having a “gender-neutral” section does not mean canceling the “traditional” ones, but only having a third of them. Those who fail to comply will be fined $250 the first time and up to $500 thereafter.
This innovation reopens the debate about gender stereotypes and the education of minors. For years, pedagogues have underlined the importance of play in general, to stimulate children, regardless of “pink” or “blue” distinctions. The forces imposed at a very young age are no longer relevant and have turned into cages that are very difficult to break.
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Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
