Did you know that the Barbie dolls launched way back in 1959? Since then they have sold over three billion dolls to date. That's a lot of Barbie in the world - one between two for every single man, woman and child living on planet Earth at this moment. Every single person in the UK could have fifty of them if they wanted. In fact, if we took every Barbie doll that had rolled out of the factory since their inception, they would stretch right around the globe not once, not twice, but a full three and a half times. They seem to be popular.
Quite why this particular doll should have proved so popular is hard to say - perhaps it's the absurdly idealistic glamour, the accessories, or simply the fact that you aren't deemed to be a proper girl if you didn't at least have one Barbie doll during your formative years.
Interestingly, the Ken dolls, Barbie's partner, have proved just as popular, and yet still only with girls. Boys are still keen on the Action Man figurines, but Ken seems to have been left on the shelf as far as boys are concerned. Is this an image problem that Ken seems to have?
What exactly is it that makes Action Man a popular boys' toy, and Ken a definite no go area. Giving a boy a Ken doll would not be received with grateful thanks. Maybe it's the fact that Ken doesn't come with a range of gadgets designed to obliterate the enemy. Instead, he comes with a smart sports jacket. Possibly it is because Ken doesn't come with an all terrain land vehicle with side cannons and laser rifles. He comes with a neat little sports car with a roll down top.
Or could it be something far more deep seated and dark? Action Man comes with a range of related figurines - all male, and built with muscles so big one wonders how they ever manage to bend their arm to scratch their head with all that flesh in the way. Ken, on the other hand, comes with Barbie. An allegedly cute girl with an impossible figure, a range of accessories and posable arms and legs. Someone worked out a while back that if Barbie was real, she'd actually have a job walking and would probably need a wheel chair. So, this image problem we have with Ken, could it simply be that, dare I suggest it, he has a girlfriend?
What right-minded boy would spare a second glance to someone who has time for a girl? There's a world out there to save. A world of muscle and blood, spaceships and evil warlords with guns that fire sponge darts at least three feet. To own a Ken is to accept that girls are almost equal to boys, and what young boy would ever wish to be associated with such a concept?
Gender stereotyping? Nothing changes that much, does it? Of course, the question about where these gender concepts and assumptions come from is another matter. Possibly they are encouraged by family, or by their friends. Books, television and even the style of toys advertised, and the way they are advertised, can all play a part. At least we know one thing. All boys will eventually learn a hard lesson. Defeating an evil warlord, conquering the empire and saving the planet is easy. Understanding girls? Now the challenge begins!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Collection of Action Figure Toys - Save Money
So, you want to have your own action figure toys collection? Have you started shopping yet?
Today, it is possible for everyone to buy cheap action figures. You can buy any of your favorite action figures at unbelievable prices. A vast variety of action figure toys is available at very low prices online. There are few things to be considered when you go shopping for action figure toys.
Things to consider for buying Action Figures –
1. Need – First, it is very important that you are concise about the specific purpose you want to buy an action figure. People buy action figures for various reasons. Someone may buy an action figure to gift their loved ones, while others may want it for their personal collection. Then, there are people who buy action figures for the sake of future investment and when their toy gets old, they sell it for a high price. Having a clear idea about your specific need saves your money and not to mention time also for any type of toy - hottest WWE collection, He-Man or anything else.
2. Shopping – Now, looking out for cheap action prices can be tiring process if you do it at the retails. You may get cheap toys at the retails, but keep in mind that you will not get variety. But, if you do it online, then you have many options. You will get numerous offers for cheap action figures. A vast variety of low priced action toys is available for you online. You will easily find rare toys online that are hard to find physically. You can either buy n a box or loose. There are many auction sites where you can bid and buy your favorite collectible toy at low prices. People sell off their both new and used action figures. The best WWE action figures are easily available.
3. Garage Sales – This is a very popular way of selling and buying action figures. You can get cheap action figures this way easily. People love dealing in action figures with this traditional way.
4. Magazines & Newspaper - You can also check out the local newspaper, the classifieds section. There are many ads there describing the details about the toys and price. They are cheaper.
5. Trade Events – This is another poplar way of shopping for action figures. If you participate in any such event, you can easily make a deal for cheap action figures. People in a large number participate in these events and buy and sell action figure toys. You can buy the latest action figures toys at such gatherings.
6. Variety – It is always good to have different kinds of action figures. Many people spend money buying toys that they already have in different version, i.e. multiple toys of the same figure. It is good if buy action figures of a wide range of figures. It will add value to your collection.
7. Mint - People get confused when it comes to mint action figures. The good side is that if you buy such a toy, you ad value to your collection and the bad side is that it can take a long time to realize the face value of such toy.
So, keep these things in your mind when you shop for action figure toys.
Today, you can buy busts and statues of all the fictional and real people that are popular like James Bond, hottest WWE collection, Tom Cruise, Super-Man and many more.
By Shankey Joshi
Today, it is possible for everyone to buy cheap action figures. You can buy any of your favorite action figures at unbelievable prices. A vast variety of action figure toys is available at very low prices online. There are few things to be considered when you go shopping for action figure toys.
Things to consider for buying Action Figures –
1. Need – First, it is very important that you are concise about the specific purpose you want to buy an action figure. People buy action figures for various reasons. Someone may buy an action figure to gift their loved ones, while others may want it for their personal collection. Then, there are people who buy action figures for the sake of future investment and when their toy gets old, they sell it for a high price. Having a clear idea about your specific need saves your money and not to mention time also for any type of toy - hottest WWE collection, He-Man or anything else.
2. Shopping – Now, looking out for cheap action prices can be tiring process if you do it at the retails. You may get cheap toys at the retails, but keep in mind that you will not get variety. But, if you do it online, then you have many options. You will get numerous offers for cheap action figures. A vast variety of low priced action toys is available for you online. You will easily find rare toys online that are hard to find physically. You can either buy n a box or loose. There are many auction sites where you can bid and buy your favorite collectible toy at low prices. People sell off their both new and used action figures. The best WWE action figures are easily available.
3. Garage Sales – This is a very popular way of selling and buying action figures. You can get cheap action figures this way easily. People love dealing in action figures with this traditional way.
4. Magazines & Newspaper - You can also check out the local newspaper, the classifieds section. There are many ads there describing the details about the toys and price. They are cheaper.
5. Trade Events – This is another poplar way of shopping for action figures. If you participate in any such event, you can easily make a deal for cheap action figures. People in a large number participate in these events and buy and sell action figure toys. You can buy the latest action figures toys at such gatherings.
6. Variety – It is always good to have different kinds of action figures. Many people spend money buying toys that they already have in different version, i.e. multiple toys of the same figure. It is good if buy action figures of a wide range of figures. It will add value to your collection.
7. Mint - People get confused when it comes to mint action figures. The good side is that if you buy such a toy, you ad value to your collection and the bad side is that it can take a long time to realize the face value of such toy.
So, keep these things in your mind when you shop for action figure toys.
Today, you can buy busts and statues of all the fictional and real people that are popular like James Bond, hottest WWE collection, Tom Cruise, Super-Man and many more.
By Shankey Joshi
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