Toy firms ‘more sexist than in 1970s’
CHILDREN’S toys today are more sexist than those from the Seventies, a top British scientist claims.
Dame Athene Donald, a Cambridge University physics professor, said brands such as Lego used to do more for gender equality.
Barbie makes computer scientist dolls but with pink laptops which are stereotypical and sexist, she added. Dame Athene, 64, noted how in 1974 Lego urged parents to let boys play with doll houses.
At the Hay Festival, she said: ‘We have gone a long way backwards … you cannot imagine Lego putting that out now … What we get now is “this is designed for girls, you can build a hairdresser’s, she looks like a princess”.’
Lego did not respond to a request for comment last night.