Gender Neutral

Post date: Apr 21, 2011 6:32:30 AM

My son has recently made it clear that he likes Zoobles more than Bakugan. Both types of toys are neat little balls that "transform" into some type of creature when they come in contact with something magnetized. Bakugan turn into all manner of cool-looking dragons and robots and stuff like that. Zoobles? They change into cute little critters like caribu. And lately, my son has been choosing Zoobles.

I'm fine with that. In fact, I'm excited about that.

I hate the whole "boy toys/girl toys" thing. Toys are just vehicles to exercise one's imagination. It doesn't matter if a toy is "meant" for a boy or a girl--it's all about if the toy fills the player with enjoyment. It reminds me of the whole "casual" versus "hardcore" video game audience. Who cares what audience a game is intended for as long as you're enjoying it, right?

Unfortunately, I have a feeling it won't be very long before my son comes home from school and announces he doesn't like Zoobles any longer. This happend with some of the cartoons he used to watch. He told some of his preschool classmates about them and they laughed and said those were for "babies." That was the end for The Wonder Pets in our home.

Fridays are sharing day at his preschool, and I have a feeling this week he'll want to take one of his shiny new Zoobles. I just hope no jerky little kid makes my son feel like it's not okay to like what he wants to like. And, for the record, Zoobles are pretty dang awesome. I'm a fan!

I find it so sweet and charming that, at least for the moment, my son is choosing adorable over tough. In many ways, he's like me. This past weekend my wife and I were having a conversation with our friend and they came to the conclusion that I have a very "female" brain. I'm sensitive and not really into a lot of "guy" things. Yet, at the same time, I like plenty of "male" things as well, so it's not like I'm totally a sissy or anything!

My little boy is kind of that way. He's a rough and tumble little dude, but he'd just rather play with Zoobles than Bakugan. I love that! Our society needs to chill out on its predetermined paths for our kids based on their gender. Just let them be who they want to be and like what they want to like. And if someone has a problem with that, maybe it's time they let their guard down and played with Zoobles!