Argument

This author Peggy Orenstein argues that toys have an effect on the lives of children. Toys are always gender specific, girls are always using princess toys, or anything that's pink. She brings up how these visions of princesses gives girls the idea that "they now feel they must not only "have it all" but be it all: Cinderella and Surpergirl. Aggressive and agreeable. Smart and stunning." These perceptions of princesses gives these little girls ideas of a life that's non-existent. 

• I believe Orenstein's argument is that girls distinguish from a young age what life is going to be like, "glits and glamour" like the princesses they have as examples. That they should always be perfect looking, with perfect hair, perfect bodies, and the have the perfect clothes to go with it. That there going to be swept up by a prince charming whose going to sweep you off your feet and give you this perfect life with a happy ever after. She feels that these girls shouldn't be brought up around this type of example. Because that's not what life is like, and that's not what they should learn. Especially at a young age, its hard to get girls to stop thinking this way when they've already grown up with this perception of life.

•  Orenstein's main point throughout these chapters is that she doesn't think its right that kids are being brought up with these markers that determine what life should be like. She says there given this perception that later on in life has a big effect on them, especially girls. Because they grow up wanting this life that isn't realistic, and its something that will never come. They grow up wanting to be something, and forgetting of the important things in life, like school. She's worried about the impact separating genders is going to make on kids while they grow up, if its going to change their views on one another, if its going to change the "separate-but-equal mentality" that they should have about one another. 

• Check this video out! It's a perfect example of what Orenstein talks about in her story.

Talking Point: What should we do to change this? How will we change future kids minds about this type of life that they shouldn't believe exist?