Retro Girl Talk

I was a child of the '80s and like most girls, "Girl Talk" was my favorite game. I would play with my little sister or bring it down the street to my best friend's house. We played all the time.



Recently, I was reminiscing about how much I loved the game and how I wish they still made it so I could give it to my younger sisters. But that line of thought led me to remember that the game was actually full of gender stereotypes. A quick online search brought me to this site:

Thrift Item of the Moment

...which made me realize that it was even worse than I remember! Some choice marketing phrases for the product include:

"A Game of Truth or Dare." The dares include:

* Name a boy you'd like to date
* Describe the perfect prom dress

I don't think young boys were encouraged to consider what girls they would date or what they were going to wear to their prom.

Failure to attempt a dare results in the player wearing a Zit Sticker for the rest of the game [...]

Oh my gosh, I forgot about zit stickers.

Successful completion of the dare results in points and ultimately in fortune cards in four categories:

• Career - "An interest and a flair for modeling will lead to cover layouts in five major fashion magazines"
• Marriage - "The boy who is last, alphabetically, on the roll call list at school will become your future husband"
• Children - "The total of odd numbers in your phone number indicates how many children you will have"
• Special Moments - "You will decorate your future home using your school colors"

Decorating your future home? A career in modeling? Your future husband and children? Holy crap!

My favorite childhood game aimed to breed a new generation of housewives, super models and interior decorators. I feel so violated.

*Cross-posted at the Feminist Pulse.