Action Figure Resource Magazine September 2014 | Página 3

Hi, Do you remember when collecting action figures was considered geeky and exclusively a male pastime? In fact if you even mentioned comics or action figures to your girlfriend you would probably have ended up being a virgin for life! But now it seems things are changing, not only has the hobby become acceptable it’s even gone main stream just look at the numbers the San Diego Comic Con attracted recently. Not only that, but there seems to have been a backlash against the traditional boy/girl split in toy aisles recently. There are two examples in this month’s News section but also Disney/Hasbro had to back track on their decision not to produce any female characters from the new Star Wars movies and not to release any more Princess Leia figures after a girls complaint and petition went viral. There are two things that strike me most about these complaints: I) They seem to be originating from the children themselves, whereas previously its generally been the parents, and in particular the mothers, who have complained about the portrayal of women in such mediums. II) They aren’t asking for more women characters portraying traditional womens roles but more female super-heroes, adventurers, inventors and scientist etc. Also they are looking for more ‘realistic’ role models, rather than the tradition slim, curvy Barbie or curvaceous Tomb Raider type figure they are looking for more realistically proportioned figures and dolls. If you a regular reader you will have read last month’s I Am Elemental feature, on a new line of female super-heroes figures specifically targeting girls along these lines. But what do you think? Personally, I think it’s great because the more girls who get interested the more lines we will see being released, and hopefully, and the more variety. Should girls and boys be encouraged to play together more? Als, to have more interaction between boys and girls in the toy aisles as well as at play can only be a good thing, and will help promote a better understanding between the sexes. Should there be no gender separation between toys?