In a recent issue of the LEGO Club magazine, beauty advice aimed at young girls has stirred up controversy. The magazine, which targets children aged 5 to 12, features LEGO characters in a salon setting, discussing haircuts tailored to different face shapes. This has raised concerns for many parents, including Lisa Thompson, who worries about the impact of such messaging on her 8-year-old daughter.
As her daughter browsed through the magazine, she began asking questions about face shapes and what hairstyles would suit her best. The magazine includes phrases from LEGO stylists like: “You’re beautiful, but if you want to switch up your look, here are some tips for the best haircut based on your face shape.” This kind of advice has led to criticism that LEGO is promoting unrealistic beauty standards among young girls.
LEGO’s introduction of the “LEGO Friends” line, aimed specifically at girls, has already drawn scrutiny for its focus on beauty parlors and cafes over traditional building sets. Despite this, Thompson admits that her daughter is more drawn to the colorful LEGO Friends than to the classic brick sets, prompting her to purchase them. However, she now believes that the addition of beauty tips is crossing a line, suggesting that young girls need to alter their appearance to fit certain ideals.
“It’s concerning to think that children, who should be focused on playing and exploring, are now being introduced to beauty standards at such a young age,” Thompson stated. “When did it become normal for a toy magazine to dictate how girls should look based on their face shape?”
At age 8, children should be allowed to engage in activities like running, jumping, and, of course, building with LEGOs. Encouraging them to think about their appearances so early can have long-lasting effects. For more insights into this topic, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination from Medical News Today.
In conclusion, while LEGO’s intentions may not be malicious, the messaging in their magazine could be detrimental to the self-image of young girls. Instead of fostering creativity and play, it seems to be steering them towards unnecessary concerns about beauty and appearance.