When buying toys for their kids, parents generally have a choice to make: do you get them something fun, or something educational? The toys that can span both are few and far between.
Some parents out there are feeling a bit blindsided by some surprisingly educational toys, however, and some think they’ve crossed the line into being inappropriate.
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How much detail is too much detail on a toy?
That’s the question some parents have been posing after finding anatomically correct animal toys at British retailer Poundland. The toys leave little to the imagination and are obviously male, with a full package in place as it would be in nature.
It all started with a Facebook post in which one mom shared a pic of a toy giraffe, saying “So…my 2 year old girl chose this today and brought it home to say ‘mam…giraffes got a willy.’ she’s not wrong is she.”
A surprising number of parents shared their unexpected encounters with the outfitted animals as well, some of which were brought to their attention by their kids.
“My son chose this toy dog then when we got home I saw it also had a very real willy,” wrote another mom.
To be fair, many people following the post thought the full and total inclusion of anatomy was just funny.
And it’s hard to fault them. Penises are objectively funny, just floppy, dangly bits of flesh that you just don’t expect to see on a toy.
Mind you, it’s hard to imagine them being included in the next Toy Story movie.
But for some parents, finding kids’ toys with twigs in place was a bit awkward.
“We have the horses and dogs with the same…hum…detail,” wrote one mom. “I was mortified. Probably more detail on it then the animal to be fair.”
Another replied with a gif that said it simply: “Let’s put our willies away, boys.”
For many others, the attention to detail was actually welcome.
“Tbh I think it’s great that kids toys can be anatomically correct without it being seen as ‘unnecessary or sexualising,'” wrote one person.
“Nothing wrong with kids knowing what body parts are what,” wrote another.”
“It’s a good way for children to learn about the birds and the bees from an early age,” another agreed.
These aren’t the first anatomically correct toys to cause a stir, either.
A line of toys called LOL Surprise dolls got called out by parents online for having anatomically correct parts.
“Attention parents please check your children’s L.O.L. Surprise dolls,” wrote one parent on Facebook. “The boy dolls are inappropriate and obscene for small children especially girls as they are anatomically correct with no warning on the packaging…I may be old fashioned but I find this disturbing and highly inappropriate especially with no warning”
In the case of the LOL Surprise dolls, more parents seemed to have trouble with the anatomy.
“I bought one for each of my granddaughters for Christmas,” wrote one person. “I heard sobbing coming from the play room as they started playing. One granddaughter got a boy doll. She’s 6. She obviously knew right away what she was seeing, and she was devastated. The point is, I as a consumer should have the choice to buy a male or female doll for my 6 and 7 year old granddaughters. And there is this thing called modesty which is apparently underrated these days.”
However, other parents thought the outcry was an overreaction.
“Half the human population looks like that under their clothes,” wrote one person. “Get over your hangups or at least don’t impose them on others; it is not ‘obscene.'”
“Maybe just tell your daughter it’s a normal body part, educate her, and move on..? It only becomes a problem when you make it a problem and have her second guessing,” wrote another.
The dolls’ maker, MGA Entertainment, did comment on the controversy, but was unapologetic.
“The feature was meant to be thoughtful and reflective of real life, but designed in a kid appropriate way,” their Facebook account wrote. “For many years the toy industry has been moving towards dolls that are more ‘real’ and anatomically correct. We believe this trend is here to stay and we will continue to lead the charge in toys becoming more gender inclusive.”
So, what do you think?
Is there such a thing as too much detail on toys? Do we draw a line between anatomically correct depictions of animals versus humans with toys?
Let us know in the comments!
