This is too hard! If we were to be really representative we'd have to make toy manufacturers ensure the percentage of dolls with a certain skin colour matched the demographic of the place they are to be sold, which is bizarre. I suppose this has only been an issue since children's dolls became so lifelike, when they were simple, crude, handmade representations it didn't matter because they weren't meant to be lifelike, just for making imaginative games. Who wanted a doll that pissed on you!

Crofty 280 days ago

Too hard to vote on!  

Firstly, Toy manufacturers will just do make what's most likely to make them money, but I suppose in an ideal world they should reflect everyone.

I wonder though, parents can have the best intentions but you can't force your kids to play with something. 

Tony 278 days ago

Consider this; the toy industry has created it's very own culture. In so much that toy companies now spend time and money working out how to best market their toys, using what is commonly referred to as the 'Nagging' factor (pester power), they have actually employed techniques that are designed to get children to nag their parents for the latest must-have toy, and parents, who may or may not be largely unaware of this new phenomenon, give in to their children. So i would submit that the as apposed to toys reflecting our respective culture/s. Culture is more readily being defined by the toy manufacturers.

The movie 'The Devil wears Prada' typifies this point clearly when Anne Hathaway smirks at the selection of couture clothing being arranged by Meryl Streep who turns to her and states in no uncertain terms that the drab clothes Anne wore were all designed with her personality type in mind. Meryl goes on to aske Anne if she thought she had chosen that material, that style, that colour for her current attire?

Merly gives Anne a categorical 'No' and proceeds to slowly inform Anne that if she wanted to belittle the process of design then she would only be belittling herself as she was part of the process of the design and there was nothing she could do about it.

In a nutshell I believe the opening up of diverse factors also opens up the world of subliminal advertising that helps or hinders individuality.

DannyB 163 days ago