I was really hoping this commercial would go away, but it seems that it won’t, and with Christmas so close, I have to say something.
Hasbro’s Rose Petal Cottage is helping girls and women take a big step backwards. I am a major advocate of non-gender-specific toys for children, and the Rose Petal Cottage could not pigeon hole girls more. So, I guess I can sort of let it slide that the Cottage comes with a cradle, a washing machine, and a sink. But it enrages me to no end that the tag line boldly declares, “Where dreams have room to grow.”
Obviously, this implies that little girls dream only of domestic duties and child-rearing, and I simply cannot stomach this. As a child, I dreamed of being an archaeologist and a writer. My little sister wanted to be a firefighter or a cement truck driver. Where are the toys for girls like that? How about a Lil’ Lawyer desk set, or a Miss Med doctor kit? I can’t believe that in 2008 we’re still giving our girls toys from the ’50s.
