The company explained the decision, saying ‘culture has evolved’
Hasbro has announced that Mr Potato Head, their famous toy with the removable eyes, ears, nose, moustache, arms and feet, is now gender neutral.
The toy, which has been going for 70 years and gained newfound popularity after its first appearance in Toy Story, is being changed so as to not conform to traditional roles, and to give kids playing with the toys a blank slate to create whatever characters they want without the prefix of ‘Mr’ on it.
Essentially, what they are doing is stopping imposing a fixed gender on what is a potato, a move which allows children to enjoy the toys without antiquated ideas of gender involved.
Kimberly Boyd, a GM at Hasbro, said: “Culture has evolved. Kids want to be able to represent their own experiences.
“The way the brand currently exists – with the ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ – is limiting when it comes to both gender identity and family structure.”
In what is far from surprising, people on a certain end of the political spectrum have reacted in a manner that – were the shoe on the other potato foot – they would probably say befits the behaviour of a ‘snowflake’.
The topic has been discussed by supposedly serious adults on Fox News, and other outlets. And will likely continue to be a topic for people who need to get a life for the foreseeable future.
They’re just fucking toys. Letting kids play with them how they want is a good thing.
