Greens back Barbie boycott campaign ahead of Christmas buying frenzy

The Greens are backing a campaign to boycott gender-based toys such as Barbie dolls and action figurines, warning there could be a link to domestic violence later in life.

The No Gender December campaign urges parents to think carefully before buying children's toys because of what it describes as harmful "gendered" marketing.

Greens senator Larissa Waters said research showed early play-based learning could have a significant impact on gender stereotypes.

"Outdated stereotypes about girls and boys and men and women perpetuate gender inequality, which feeds into very serious problems such as domestic violence and the gender pay gap," she said.

"While such serious problems seem so far removed from choosing children's toys, it's important that we think about this issue, especially when so many children's toys are being bought."

Senator Waters said the Greens had no plans for legislation to ban the practice "at this stage", but wanted parents and retailers to think twice before purchasing certain toys.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott rejected the campaign, saying his philosophy had always been: "Let boys be boys, let girls be girls."

"I certainly don't believe in that kind of political correctness," he told Channel Nine, adding that parents should be able to decide what was in the best interests of their children.

Mr Abbott also took aim at the Greens for promoting the boycott, saying it gave an indication of what things were like for the Government.

"You know, and you wonder why the Parliament's difficult, when you've got people like that with the balance of power in the Senate," he said.

The campaign was being run by the organisation Play Unlimited, which urged people to make a public pledge in the lead-up to Christmas.

"Kids shouldn't learn that certain toys are off limits for them because of their gender," the organisation said.

"There is nothing wrong with pink and princesses for girls as long as they are also free to play with toys that promote the development of other important skills.

"Conversely, there's nothing wrong with boys playing with trucks and building model aeroplanes if they are also encouraged to nurture other aspects of themselves."

It said children needed a broad range of play-based experiences and should be free to decide which toys interested them.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-02/barbie-boycott-campaign-begins-ahead-of-christmas-toy-frenzy/5933308