{"id":1981,"date":"2012-12-16T17:48:34","date_gmt":"2012-12-16T22:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/?p=1981"},"modified":"2012-12-16T17:50:45","modified_gmt":"2012-12-16T22:50:45","slug":"lego-advent-calendar-day-16-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/?p=1981","title":{"rendered":"Lego Advent Calendar: Day 16"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I don\u2019t often use swear words in my writing. When I do, it\u2019s for comedic effect. But I am about to use a profane word in just a few sentences and it is being written with utmost sincerity. Prepare accordingly. <\/p>\n

If you cannot handle mature language, and have a tendency to faint when someone says \u201cDamn\u201d or \u201cbutty\u201d then please stop reading. <\/p>\n

Things happened today involving the Lego Friends Advent Calendar, and to censor my thoughts would be a disservice not only to myself but to society. <\/p>\n

Cover the eyes of toddlers in the room and prepare to gasp.<\/p>\n

Ready? Click…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Fuck you, Lego. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A mop and bucket? That\u2019s what you\u2019re giving little girls (and one strange adult man)? This is what you assume children want to play with?<\/p>\n

This is offensive. <\/p>\n

Perhaps Lego assumed girls would see this and have the following conversation…<\/p>\n

KELLY:<\/strong> Want to come over and play Lego?
\nJILL:<\/strong> Nah. That’s too hard. That’s for boys.
\nKELLY: <\/strong>But the new girl Lego set comes with a mop! We can clean!
\nJILL:<\/strong> Yay! Just like my mommy and grandmommy!
\nKELLY:<\/strong> We don’t even have to build anything. It’s all done for us!
\nJILL:<\/strong> That’s good. Building gives me lady cramps.
\nKELLY:<\/strong> Boys will like us because we’re dumber than them is.
\nJILL:<\/strong> Stickers and baskets!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s offensive because it perpetuates awful stereotypical gender roles, and shouts at the consumer, \u201cGirls clean!\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also offensive as a Lego prize because it\u2019s so ridiculously trite, but thats hardly the issue. <\/p>\n

Cleaning products? For girls?<\/p>\n

I suppose if Lego made a calendar for Hanukkah it would include nothing but Lego money and figures who are lousy at sports. <\/p>\n

Tomorrow, the Friends Calendar will probably give me a Lego Maternity Ironing Board or Lego Career Glass Ceiling. Hell, why not throw in a Lego Jar of Pickles That Only Lego Boys Can Open. <\/p>\n

Nintendo looked at this and then at me, and then back to bucket, and then back to me. Without saying a word, she walked outside and knocked down a tree with her bare-ankle. Then, to prove that stereotypes are meaningless, she got a B+ on a math test and killed a big hairy spider. Then she did push ups. I don’t know why. <\/p>\n

Baby Robot Snowgirl, who thankfully is unaware of gender stereotypes, looked at the bucket and assumed it was a helmet. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 16 Rating:<\/strong> -2 out of 10 (Points added because we should be thankful it didn\u2019t come with a Lego Apron and sign that reads, \u201cVoting? Eww!\u201d)<\/p>\n