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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Scott Costello writes:
> TLC has made several “outreach” attempts to attract female consumers, but
> never really have captured that demographic. I always thought it was a
> little insulting that a company would believe that in order to attract girls
> you must color everything pink. So I look to all of you to help answer the
> question that I cannot, why do are there more male AFOL’s than female.
This has definitely been something that has been addressed in many places.
IIRC there have been several 'presentations'/'open discussions' on the
matter at various events and whatnot.
I think one issue is that Lego (as you implied) is a little insulting when
it comes to marketing for girls. While boys tend to prefer fire stations,
spaceships, and generally action-related stuff, girls tend to prefer things
like houses, stores, etc. More "day-in-the-life" type things rather than
"fantastical adventures". Hence things like dress-up costumes, dolls,
playing house, easy-bake-ovens, etc.
Lego *used* to market a bit more in this realm. And I've talked to several
non-Lego women my own age (who were kids in the 80's) who thought Lego was
cool back then. They made a *few* houses and shops-- a couple things here
and there-- but still generally more police stations, rally car racing, etc.
Anyways, I think the focus shifted slowly from "slightly gender neutral,
leaning towards boys" to "almost entirely male-geared".
And when they tried to get a handle on the 'girl' market, what'd they use?
Paradisa? Belville? Ick. All pink, hardly ever sold retail, and way too
similar to, say, Barbie (ok, not Paradisa) than to Lego.
On the other hand, I think there may be a 'building block gene' that also
often skips girls over. Back in the 60's & early 70's, it was hardly
marketed as "fire trucks and spaceships", but more "generic building
blocks". And for some reason I *still* think that it lent it self more
towards boys. Not sure why though. My younger sister (for example) LOVED to
build things on her own, but not out of Lego. I get the impression that
blocks were too constricting for her tastes... dunno...
I find it mildly interesting that there aren't more female AFOL's, though.
Lots of women are into artsy-craftsy type things which seem fairly
satisfyable by Lego. Only problems with that are: 1) lots of Lego
fascination is nostalgia based [if only at first], and since women weren't
into it as kids, it's less of a motivator. 2) Lego is a little less
open-ended and less "pretty" since it's more difficult to get soft
tones/curves/surfaces than in other mediums.
DaveE
Should this really be O-T? I'm thinking this should go to .general?
FUT -> .general
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Men vs. Women
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| As I roam through the vast halls of this community that is Lugnet, I am continually struck with the fact that males members and participants tend to out number females by a very high margin. This is also reflected in the ratio of people that in our (...) (21 years ago, 6-Feb-03, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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