Just in time for Christmas?
The world of children's toys have become one of the fiercest battlegrounds in the ongoing culture war.
For years, some psychologists and sociologists have argued that segregating toys by social constructs of what is appropriate for girls and boys can have harmful developmental implications for children. Millions of parents – and children – simply yawned.
Still, that once-fringe social justice crusade is about to get a major boost from the government of California.
Despite the Golden State's increasing crime, high taxes, poor business climate and exorbitant cost of living, the state legislature has decided that starting Jan. 1, 2024 retailers will be required to create gender-neutral toy displays.
Just in time for Christmas 2024.
Businesses that refuse to comply will face a hefty fine, as the New York Post reports:
Under the terms of the legislation Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in 2021, California-based department stores with 500 or more employees that sell “childcare items or toys,” must have a gender-neutral section “regardless of whether they have been traditionally marketed for either girls or for boys.”
It defines “childcare items” as any product designed to facilitate sleep, feeding children, relaxation, or “to help children with sucking or teething” and defines children as those 12 and under.
Any department store that fails to create a gender-neutral section could face a $250 fine for the first violation, and a $500 fine for any subsequent violations.
The new law does not prohibit typical boys and girls sections.
It was introduced by Assemblyman Evan Low, a 40-year-old lawmaker who's been favorably compared to Barack Obama.
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