Toys R Us
Gender Stereotyping by Staff Membe

I realise that Gender-stereotyping is not a dire complaint, but I feel it necessary to bring attention to this incident if things are ever to change.

We went to Toys R Us when a female staff member came to offer assistance. My son explained he wanted a Lego Friends item (mainly targeted at girls), to which she immediately told him that "those are girls toys only" and directed him to a boys section, suggesting he should find a truck. I stepped in and explained that he specifically wanted a Lego Friends item, to which she responded "Oh, he's choosing it for a girl? ". I had to then explain that NO, it is for him, because he likes it. To which she gave me an odd look, said "Okay, my bad" and turned around and walked away.

Toys R Us in South Africa needs to urgently change their incredibly gender-based marketing of toys and teach their staff that girls can play with guns and trucks, and boys can play with dolls or Lego Friends! Much of Europe and the United Kingdom are already dropping gender-stereotyping from their toys and marketing (including Toys R Us in those countries). This could have been a very embarrassing experience for my son, which is why I didn't complain at the time.

Company: Toys R Us
Country: South Africa
City: Century City, Milnerton

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