Toy-maker Mattel is reportedly creating matchbox cars for girls (pink and purple "Polly Wheels") in response to an (apparent) demand for gender specific toys. Remember the joys of Matchbox cars? We used to walk to the corner store (my brothers and I) and buy as many cars as our little chubby hands could carry (they were a Quarter each).
What I don't recall is caring whether the cars were red, blue, pink, purple, or striped. I enjoyed the toy, the function and feel of it, rather than how it looked. I know all kids are different, but isn't part of raising kids teaching them what to care about? It doesn't seem to me that any great thing is accomplished by "girlifying" matchbox cars.
And of course Mattel doesn't plan to launch dolls for boys anytime soon. But what are G.I. Joes anyway? Call them "action figures" if it makes you feel better, but they're dolls.
