WTF: Discovery Store and Gender Bias

[roseembolism]

 
 
From Melissa McEwan's science blog Shakesville, we get this disturbing bit of information about what the Discovery Store thinks about Toys for Girls and Boys.

I mean seriously, what the HELL are they thinking?  No wait, I know what they're thinking: girls like crafts and fashion, boys like cool active stuff and discovery.  Science is unfeminine, is the thinking, and gender traits are both broad and absolute.

And a larger question: Is it just me, but does it generally appear that tools and other "masculine" items marketed to girls and women are generally shoddy?

Please forward this around.  This could use some comment from the public. 
 
Thanks to James Nicoll: I found out about this from his blog.

Comments

[baronlaw.livejournal.com]

I have seen that with "Homeowner" tool kits, now available in pink for the gal on the go. Crappiest, cheap flimsy crap I have ever held in my hand. Putting a pink plastic handle on a 99 cent screwdriver does not make it any better.

[palecur.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they're in the checkout lines at OSH -- 2-ounce tiny hammers with pink flower-print vinyl sheathing. Kind of heinous, though I'd be tempted to buy full-size useful tools with frou-frou flowers, just for the amusing contrast.

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

I think of that as sort of a patronizing attitude on the part of the tool makers. "Oh women will want to use tools, but we can't make them use MENS tools- we'll put some flowers on this cheap crap and the ladies will love it, bless their little hearts.

[ghilledhu.livejournal.com]

Is it just me, but does it generally appear that tools and other "masculine" items marketed to girls and women are generally shoddy?

Well, I haven't tested them personally, but I'd be willing to bet that there is a full line of Hello Kitty power tools. And that they work perfectly well.

As for the Discovery Store, shame on them. Seriously.

[racerxmachina.livejournal.com]

If ever there was a company that Should Know Better....

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

I think that really, this is one of the major things that bugs me. If this was "Morman Toys Inc." I wouldn't be surprised, but you'd think that a place that is supposedly devoted to inculcating an interest in science would have a more progressive attitude.