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Why New Pink Kinder Surprise Pisses Me Off

Posted: 03/17/2013 1:35 pm

Today I was doing some grocery shopping with my kids when I came across this:

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I took a photo of it and posted it to my Instagram and Facebook page with the simple comment that this product is ridiculous and infuriates me. Let me explain why.

For years and years, Kinder eggs were gender neutral. I'm not sure if there was a dip in sales or if Kinder decided that they desperately needed more girl clientele, but the way they were packaged before neither said "girl" nor "boy" to me. My kids were happy to receive the treat on occasion, and happy to play with whatever (albeit crappy) toy was inside.

The new package states "Toys for Girls." Does this mean the old toys weren't for girls? Does it mean Kinder was only for boys before? I just don't get it. I also saw a commercial on TV for the girl version ... and I threw up in my mouth a little.

I know not everyone will agree with me on this and, yes, I get "it's just a candy." But, seriously, why must our daughters be marketed to in this way? It starts with stuff like this and then they get crap thrown at them like the new Sketchers "Daddy's Money" sneakers. Don't even get me started.

Personally, I want my daughter to be marketed to like this:

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Check out PinkStinks.org, which talks about this and how we should be aware and critical of the messages our daughters are being sent through the marketing and packaging of products. I love their slogan: There's more than one way to be a girl!

Amen to that!

 

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Today I was doing some grocery shopping with my kids when I came across this: I took a photo of it and posted it to my Instagram and ...
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Andrea in the City
239 Fans
03:25 PM on 03/18/2013
really? Let's be honest, there are far more female children that play with Barbie than male. Doesn't mean there aren't male children that enjoy playing with Barbies but it's safe to classify Barbie as a girl's toy
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emmystock
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06:24 AM on 03/19/2013
I think it is because society tell us what a boys' toy is and what is a girls' toy.

It's the same with pink, it is just a colour, but society tells us it is a 'girly' colour so we all end up thinking it. I think this article has a point!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sgillhoolley
Occupy the discussion.
357 Fans
09:41 AM on 03/18/2013
I think because the Kinder comes with a toy it makes sense to make male and female versions, because the toys will be different.
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Strepsi
76 Fans
11:44 AM on 03/18/2013
No, no, no, no, no. And what's more, why? Why would "the toys be different"? Kinder Surprise always had little gnomes, or animals, or cars or trains. Girls can't like trains? Boys can't like bunnies? What would happen if a girl got a chocolate egg with a soldier, or a boy with a doll? CHAOS!!!!111!!! Kids are kids, eggs are eggs, and toys should be toys. Agree 10% with this article.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sgillhoolley
Occupy the discussion.
357 Fans
09:52 PM on 03/18/2013
Yes, let's put political correctness ahead of the children.  I know my son is disappointed when he gets a girl toy, and vice versa for my daughter.  But I would hate for him to be happy with the toy he gets if that means reinforcing gender roles.
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Strepsi
76 Fans
11:44 AM on 03/18/2013
Haha I meant I agree 100% with the article, not 10%. D'Oh!
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oceansat
27 Fans
09:01 AM on 03/18/2013
You need to learn how to pick your battles.
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SuburbanSnaps
129 Fans
 
06:53 AM on 03/19/2013
I'd argue that right now she's picking her daughter's, as she should, because our kids are too young to recognize when they're being pigeonholed and pandered to.
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Stella Pearkes
0 Fans
07:29 PM on 03/17/2013
Yeah, the idea that Kinder surprises weren't for girls before is depressing. I think the little girl in the Lego ad is cute, but I also think a girl (or boy) in a pink tutu is cute, too. It doesn't have to be one or the other for me, and I don't think pink sucks. But the idea that, if a girl doesn't like Barbies, somehow she isn't a 'real' girl is terrible.
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