I imagine the appeal is that it looks like a mundane object in the adult world, making it funny to the adults that this kind of thing is used as a teether. The details just make it more authentic-looking and it references the company. "Ima Spender" is a joke because it sort of looks like a name, and it references the use of the card within a certain context. I don't think it's as problematic as the heels, as here the appeal is limited to an object used by the kid instead of reflecting on the kid herself.

I dunno, I think it's obviously meant to be funny rather than "Oh, look at my little girl, already learning to appreciate a credit card!"

Also I've seen babies grab hold of credit cards left on counters and start chewing them more times than I care to admit and I bet this is a lot more sanitary.

Maybe the girls will learn that they're supposed to chew of credit cards. heh. I don't know, I don't really like it. Even if it's supposed to be funny, it still seems to glorify consumerism. Ick.

I always get the impression stuff like this affects the adults and not really the kids. I doubt a kid will *remember* chewing on one of these. It's kind of like a dog toy - made to be cute and cuddly, not for the pet in question, but for the impressionable money-holder seeking to buy.

Where's the boys' version? We don't have a stereotype of boys being credit shoppers (I'd like to see a comparison of credit card debt between the sexes to challenge that stereotype). If it were just an adult-item-in-baby's-mouth toy, there would be one for boys.

I think the problem is that this reinforces adult stereotypes and appeals to people who enjoy those stereotypes. The mom who thinks this is cute for her daughter may be the same mom who raises her daughter to expect that if she wants anything in life, she needs to get it through a man, rather than finding her passion, working hard, and earning money and respect.

I know parents that realy push that image on their daughters, including infants. Yes, the baby does not 'get it' but hears adults say "maybe she won't get a hold of my credit card later ha ha girls love to shop!" "you are just like Mommy -loves to go shopping!". Obviousy no baby 'loves to shop' but are getting the message that they should because they are girls.

I bet a blue one 'for boys' could be a Home Depot card or something ugg

I'm always bothered when I go to the grocery store and see the miniature carts for children that have a flag sticking up that says "customer in training."

Michaela -

I don't see a way to buy it in green. Maybe I'm not mommy's li'l shopper?

FYI - Acknowledging the existence of a stereotype is not the same as promoting a stereotype yourself.

I see several things going on here - not all necessarily "bad" or "good" and certainly not new.

For the sake of brevity- I'll just throw out a few as food for thought.

Children as accessories. (think what's happened to pets)

Children as advertisement. (baby clothes reflecting parents' taste in sports, technology, politics, etc)

Children as conspicuous consumption. (expensive schools, clothes, toys)

Intergenerational transfer of status, values, and ideology. (Cultural capital - embodied and objectified)

On the other hand...both my son and my daughter really enjoyed raiding my purse to get my credit cards (to eat). As such, having a toy version does serve some practical purpose (i.e. keeping their grubby paws off mine).

Here you go Cyffermoon.
http://www.heelarious.com/lime.php

Ugh, thats just disgusting... Quit brainwashing your children into worthless gender stereotypes, parents.

I will be sticking with frozen bagels for my children when they're teething.