The Most Popular Children’s Toys Set Our Girls Back in These Ridiculous Ways

April 9, 2015 / Christine Deneweth

What did you learn from your toys when you were a child? The answer may depend on whether you were raised as a boy or a girl.

For a clear picture of the absurd differences between what society expects of men and of women, look no further than this comic.

Here’s what everyone should realize about how we empower boys and disempower girls – and why we need to stop.

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

Click for the Transcript

Title: New! Gender Discrimination 4 Kids!

Panel 1

A boy with toy gloves is punching another boy. A girl sits in a laundry basket dressed as a princess while her dog questions her.

Text at bottom: Be the strongest boy! / Be a princess and wait for a boy to rescue you!

Panel 2

A boy is playing with a kit of chemicals and creates a blob cow monster with them. A girl could have sworn she followed her easy back directions correctly but is holding a frosted shoe

Text at bottom: Be a super smart scientist! / Learn to cook for you man!

Panel 3

A boy is stomping around dressed as his favorite action figure and is scaring his cat. A girl smears make-up on herself and a toy version of herself.

Text at bottom: Be a super human! / Learn to look hot for men!

Panel 4

A boy rides a large toy dragon. A girl looks shocked at a bill signifying how much it costs to be a mom.

Text at bottom: Be a dragon master! / Be a mom!

Panel 5

A boy salivates on a toy replica of earth. A girl stands there in a pink dress.

Text at bottom: Save the world! / Wear a dress.

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Christine Deneweth is a Contributing Comic Artist for Everyday Feminism. A queer cartoonist and artist, Christine lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She is a cartoonist for Eastern Michigan University’s newspaper the Eastern Echo. She writes children’s books about mental disability and has a comic strip that has been published for five years. Comics can be found on her Facebook page, and art can be found on her Instagram @crassaster. Check out her work here!