In a recent edition of the LEGO Club magazine, aimed at young girls, the publication introduced a series of beauty tips that sparked concern among parents. One mother, Jane Thompson, expressed her dismay after her 7-year-old daughter began to inquire about face shapes and appropriate hairstyles after flipping through the magazine.
The magazine featured illustrations of LEGO figures in a hair salon setting, suggesting that even LEGO characters were preparing for beauty treatments. One excerpt from the article featured a LEGO beautician stating, “You, yes YOU are beautiful, but if you’re looking to change your look, here are some tips on the best haircuts for your face shape.”
This shift in focus comes after LEGO launched the “LEGO Friends” line, which targets girls with themes centered around beauty and social activities, such as salons and cafés. Critics argue that these specialized sets contribute to outdated gender stereotypes, implying that girls should prioritize appearance over creativity and play. Despite her daughter being drawn to the LEGO Friends line, Thompson feels that introducing beauty-centric messages at such a young age can have detrimental effects on self-esteem.
According to the LEGO website, LEGO Friends is tailored for children aged 5 to 12, a demographic that is arguably too young to receive messages about physical appearance from characters like Emma, who implies that specific haircuts can enhance or diminish the beauty of different face shapes. For instance, children with square faces are advised to choose styles that “soften the edges,” while those with longer faces might be told to get cuts that “shorten” their appearance.
At the age of 7, children should ideally be engaged in physical activities and imaginative play, such as building with LEGOs, rather than worrying about conforming to beauty standards. For more insights into parenting and the implications of early beauty narratives, you can visit this resource. Additionally, if you’re interested in topics related to home insemination, Make A Mom provides comprehensive information on artificial insemination kits. For further research on fertility treatments, WebMD offers an excellent overview.
In summary, LEGO’s recent foray into beauty messaging in their content for young girls raises questions about the potential impacts on children’s self-image. While encouraging creativity through play is essential, introducing beauty standards at such an early age may shift focus away from the imaginative and developmental benefits that toys like LEGOs are meant to provide.