Target removing gender labels from most of children’s department after

In a press release, Target Corporation announced they are working on phasing out gender-based signs after guests raised complaints about signs that offered product suggestions based on gender. In some cases it makes sense, like with apparel, where fit and sizing differences between the sexes come into play, the statement said.

Target announced Friday that there will be no more distinction between “boys” and “girls” in their store signage, which means you won’t see “boys’ bedding” and “girl’s building sets” at the retail giant’s stores anymore.

In the toy section, Target will no longer use colors like pink and blue on the back walls of shelves to denote gendered sections of the department. You’ll see these changes start to happen over the next few months.

Target said in its statement, which was posted on its blog, historically, guests said when shopping for someone they didn’t know, signs that sort by brand, gender or age help them get ideas and find things faster.

A small minority of commenters criticized Target in the online statement for giving into pressure to promote “politically correct fads” and “homogenize the genders”. “Eliminating these gender typed divisions will help kids learn a toy is a toy, a show is a show, fun is fun”. The image went viral and sparked a debate about the appropriateness of gender-specific toys. Gender references will disappear from the toy sections.