My daughter graduated from Duplos to traditional LEGOs when she was 5, around the time the iconic building blocks maker released its Friends line based on five female characters. My daughter was interested in science and art, but LEGO was interested in selling her pink beauty salons and cupcake bakeries. When we went LEGO shopping, she expressed frustration over the lack of female "minifigures" in her favorite LEGOs, such as the blue- and black-packaged City set or the yellow-boxed Dino world. LEGO has expanded the Friends line by introducing activities such as biking, camping and playing sports. But now at 7, my daughter is very much aware of the gender disparity in toy marketing. She sees it in the color-coded toy aisles, where male characters outnumber females, and she's frustrated that she does not see more female characters in toys she likes.
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Melissa Atkins Wardy launched a petition asking LEGO to make proposed Female Minifigure Set
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Female Minifigure Set includes 13 female characters in law enforcement, science roles
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Wardy says it's good for girls and boys to see female figures in smart and daring roles
LEGO said the project will advance to the review phase, where a @placeholder review board will examine the idea.