10/26/14

Should Toys Come with a Meth Bag?

I do not generally agree with parent groups when they take on television stations or companies to keep ideas and images away from kids since they tend to go overboard.  However, I can understand the recent campaign by a woman in Florida to drop an action figure from Toys R Us.  In her petition on change.org, Ms. Myers wrote:

Toys R Us is well known around the world for their vast selection of toys for children of all ages. However their decision to sell a Breaking Bad doll, complete with a detachable sack of cash and a bag of meth, alongside children’s toys is a dangerous deviation from their family friendly values. That’s why I’m calling on Toys R Us to immediately stop selling the Breaking Bad doll collection in their stores and on their website. 

I don't think your average little kid needs to have his very own meth bag.  And while these types of figure should not be banned, maybe more careful placement is appropriate.  I can picture someone getting this as a gag at Urban Outfitters, for example. 
 
All that said, removing this one action figure from one website is like taking a glass of water away from Niagara Falls.  No one will really notice with all the other venues for selling the action figure and similar products.  For instance, what about the bloodied, weapon carrying action figures from The Walking Dead, including one fighter with a stump where the hand should be and a corpse next to a gasoline can?  

We have come a long way from GI Joe and Star Wars action figures.

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