Should Hasbro Make a 'Gender Neutral' Easy-Bake Oven?
Some top-named chefs and a New Jersey girl are leading the fight for gender-equality in children's toys. What do you think about this issue?
The Easy-Bake Oven has been a favorite childhood toy since it was first introduced by the company Kenner in 1963, but some people want the toy made in colors suitable for both girls and boys.
New Jersey resident McKenna Pope, age 13, wants to see the toy's current manufacturer offer the Easy-Bake Oven in more "gender neutral" colors.
Pope will meet with the toy's manufacturers,Rhode Island-based toy maker Hasbro, and advocate this idea, reports The Providence Journal.
The Easy-Bake Oven is currently only offered in pink and purple. Pope would like to see the toy oven also made in colors suitable for boys.
She's not alone in the campaign. Celebrity chefs Bobby Flay, Manuel Trevino and other chefs are backing Pope's petition for a gender-neutral Easy-Bake Oven.
Should Hasbro make the Easy-Bake Oven available in gender-neutral colors? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
Susann Low
7:21 am on Saturday, December 15, 2012
I hope appliance manufacturers also get on-board and make home ovens, refrigerators, and the like GENDER-NEUTRAL as well (since, at this address, I seem to be the only person who knows how to operate these oh-so-difficult appliances!) I learned how to bake in an Easy Bake Oven a gazillion years ago and hundreds of cup cake bake sales later, I have to send McKenna Pope a 'woo hoo!' for her efforts. A big thump on the head that Hasbro hasn't change the toy oven color to 'white' or 'brushed gray' yet, think of how sales would soar!
jean connelly
12:31 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
Yes, the oven should not be just in "girls" colors. The reality is that boys and girls like to eat, and boys and girls cook!
Joanne Wright
1:36 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
I think that WE do not give boys credit for being interested in food preparation in general and Hasbro can help here by making it more appealing to young boys
Ajax
6:09 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
I had the boy's equivalent of an easy-bake oven when I was a boy. It made creepy crawlers.
Mary car
11:18 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Absolutely they should be gender neutral. Most of the greatest chefs are men. Boys need to be taught to cook too. There's not necessarily going to be the "little woman" to take care of them. By only offering pink and purple girlie colors Hasbro is just reinforcing outdated stereotypes