The Critics Clearly Don't Understand
There are a lot of people making some really ignorant comments on this discussion board. They clearly don't understand what this is about. Ironically, they are the reason why stores like Harrods need to do things like this.
When I was a little boy, I used to love playing with dolls and pink toys (and cars too). There is nothing inherently "female" about dolls or pastel colors. These are ideas imposed on us by society. As a child, I found it incredibly confusing when I was told not to go in the girls' department, because I wanted to play with the dolls, and I couldn't understand why I shouldn't be allowed to play with something that I thought was fun. I also found it frustrating when I was sent to the boys' department, and I was expected to play with baseballs and toy guns. I didn't like these things, and I didn't see what being a boy had anything to do with it.
Harrods is no longer using gender as a way of characterizing their toy selection. Instead, they are simply sorting their toys by "theme." I think it's perfectly fine to have a "doll section" or a "pink section." That way, it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl. Anybody who likes that section can feel comfortable going to that section. I think it's a step in the right direction.
