Target Removes Gender-Based Signs In Children's Sections

Last Friday, Target removed signs that indicated different sections of the store for boys or girls, and also removed gender-specific language or wallpaper.

Products, mainly toys, bedding, and decorations can now be purchased by anyone, according to bustle.

The Target corporation website  made it clear that some gender-based signs will remain, while others, especially in the children's bedding and toy sections, need to be removed, as they are unnecessary.

Explained the announcement:

"Over the past year, guests have raised important questions about a handful of signs in our stores that offer product suggestions based on gender. In some cases, like apparel, where there are fit and sizing differences, it makes sense. ... But we know that shopping preferences and needs change and, as guests have pointed out, in some departments like Toys, Home or Entertainment, suggesting products by gender is unnecessary. We heard you, and we agree."

Hence, Target is part of the club of large retailers, such as Amazon, who removed gender-based categories for children's toys.

This step was taken after Abi Bechtel, a mother from Ohio, tweeted a picture of gender-based signage at a Green, Ohio, Target. It started a whole debate on gender-based signs in the retail stores, according to usatoday.

"It stood out to me as a good example of the way our culture tends to view boys and men as the default, normal option and girls and women as the specialized exception," Bechtel said in June.

Meanwhile, it is thought by experts that many toys themselves are "inherently stereotyped". A study done by the National Association for the Education of Young Children said that toys for boys are violent and encourage competition as well as physical stimulation. On the other hand, toys for girls focus more on physical appearance, being nurturing, or practicing domestic skills.

The study also found that most toys that were gender neutral were shown to be "educational, mentally stimulating, and artistic."

Toys that are strictly gender-oriented tend to make boys who enjoy pink or girls who like trucks to feel frustrated or ashamed when they fall outside of "normal" gender roles.

Hence, the new step requires providing "equal opportunities for both genders and creating toys that stimulate education instead of tired gender roles."