Dear Next President:

Our world is changing everyday and so are our children but is it in the right way? My name is Mackenzie and I am an 8th grade student in Hudson, Ohio. I am writing to you about something I think is an important matter in our world and you need to address it, gender equality especially for young girls. What might help these children? Is there a way that they could learn more outside of school? How or what would that be? The answer for all those question is yes. The solution is even simpler it is the thing all children have and have grown up with, toys.

The invention of boys toys has immensely involved into a more interrelated connection with STEM toys. For toddlers little plastic hammers and tools to work on building skills. As elementary passes they have legos and minecraft to work on design and architect. Even in pre teens they have games and electronics to teach strategy and math. Even now boys toys are still evolving, but what about girls? As toddlers they have plastic food and kitchens. As elementary passes they have babies and barbies. Then in preeteens they have plastic pets and dress-up games. These things encourage no math or engineering or architect qualities.

That is starting to change, girls toys are evolving new doctor and scientist barbie dolls, and a whole new brand of dolls called STEM dolls are encouraged young girls to try to practice science technology engineering and math in fun ways. So they can stay active and their brains too by working on these things out of school. For example the Lottie astronomer doll comes complete with a telescope, camera equipment and fact sheet about notable women stargazers. The fossil hunter is armed with a magnifying glass, geology hammer and fossils. A Lego vet clinic with a mini-doll named Mia has five stars on Amazon. A GoldieBlox skydive action figure, also highly rated on Amazon, invites children to build a parachute pack. But inventors aren’t stopping there they have created Lottie dolls. These dolls have been very popular because they have a positive body-type image unlike barbie dolls which almost showgirls a certain way to look. The Lottie dolls look like preteens instead of fashion models.” Lottie dolls wear bomber jackets, long-sleeve T-shirts, sturdy brown boots, cargo shorts and baseball caps. They do not wear makeup, jewelry or high heels. Not only do these toys encourage more activity and STEM learning but they also show girls it’s ok to look and dress the way they want.

Even movie encourage girls to rely on men to save them. The modern day movie directors are changing their views. Movies such as Frozen which shows two sister work together to defeat an evil man all by themselves. Mulan is also a terrific example of how women and fight for what they want and for what they believe without men. However the modern world is evolving but not fast enough. This is where you come in. We need your help for example american girl dolls. We still have yet to release any doctor or scientist outfits so girls can express themselves they way they want to. With your help we can change that, and keep change encourage more toy company to create STEM based toys!

Sincerely, Mackenzie