You have to read how Lego defended boys who play with dolls in 1974
‘A lot of boys like dolls houses. They’re more human than spaceships. A lot of girls prefer spaceships. They’re more exciting than dolls houses’
Photo via fryd_/Imgur
A viral letter Lego wrote to parents in 1974 shows the toy company was promoting gender equality 40 years ago.
The Danish company urged parents to in the letter not to limit their children to gendered toys.
‘The urge to create is equally strong in all children. Boys and girls’ it read.
‘A lot of boys like dolls houses. They’re more human than spaceships. A lot of girls prefer spaceships. They’re more exciting than dolls houses.’
The letter has been shared thousands of times on social media after Reddit user fryd_ posted a photo of the letter on Saturday (22 November) with the caption, ’70s Lego had the right idea.’
He said he found the letter while at his partner’s grandmother’s house in a set ‘with a blonde girl on the front with a white Lego house.’
‘I had no idea this would blow up so much’ he said, adding that, ‘It seems like we’ve taken a step backwards.’
Lego has confirmed the authenticity of the letter and said it ‘remains relevant to this day.’
Read the letter in full:
‘To Parents
‘The urge to create is equally strong in all children. Boys and girls.
‘It’s the imagination that counts. Not skill. You build whatever comes into your head, the way you want it. A bed or a truck. A dolls house or a spaceship.
‘A lot of boys like dolls houses. They’re more human than spaceships. A lot of girls prefer spaceships. They’re more exciting than dolls houses.
‘The most important thing is to put the right material in their hands and let them create whatever appeals to them.’
The Danish company urged parents to in the letter not to limit their children to gendered toys.
‘The urge to create is equally strong in all children. Boys and girls’ it read.
‘A lot of boys like dolls houses. They’re more human than spaceships. A lot of girls prefer spaceships. They’re more exciting than dolls houses.’
The letter has been shared thousands of times on social media after Reddit user fryd_ posted a photo of the letter on Saturday (22 November) with the caption, ’70s Lego had the right idea.’
He said he found the letter while at his partner’s grandmother’s house in a set ‘with a blonde girl on the front with a white Lego house.’
‘I had no idea this would blow up so much’ he said, adding that, ‘It seems like we’ve taken a step backwards.’
Lego has confirmed the authenticity of the letter and said it ‘remains relevant to this day.’
Read the letter in full:
‘To Parents
‘The urge to create is equally strong in all children. Boys and girls.
‘It’s the imagination that counts. Not skill. You build whatever comes into your head, the way you want it. A bed or a truck. A dolls house or a spaceship.
‘A lot of boys like dolls houses. They’re more human than spaceships. A lot of girls prefer spaceships. They’re more exciting than dolls houses.
‘The most important thing is to put the right material in their hands and let them create whatever appeals to them.’
– See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lego-had-right-idea-gender-equality-40-years-ago251114#sthash.D8wh5giA.dpuf