Radical Play: Revolutionizing Children's Toys in 1960s and 1970s America

In the 1960s and 1970s, toys such as dolls, guns, and action figures were used to galvanize and symbolize new visions of social, racial, and gender justice. Rob Goldberg's book Radical Play explores how movement activists brought their progressive politics to the playroom, and how the children's culture industry navigated the explosive politics and turmoil of the time in creative and socially conscious ways.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 11 October 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In his book "Radical Play," Rob Goldberg delves into the lesser-known history of American children's culture during the 1960s and 1970s. By examining the role of dolls, guns, action figures, and other toys, Goldberg reveals how they galvanized and symbolized new visions of social, racial, and gender justice. From a nationwide movement to oppose the sale of war toys during the Vietnam War to the founding of the company Shindana Toys by Black Power movement activists and the efforts of feminist groups to promote and produce nonsexist and racially diverse toys, Goldberg takes readers on a journey back to a pivotal period in the history of childhood. He explores not only how movement activists brought their progressive politics to the playroom by enlisting toys in the culture wars but also how the children's culture industry navigated the explosive politics and turmoil of the time in creative and socially conscious ways. Through his detailed account, Goldberg demonstrates how toys shaped and were shaped by radical visions, ultimately revealing the world of toys as much more than child's play.

In his book "Radical Play," Rob Goldberg delves into the lesser-known history of American children's culture during the 1960s and 1970s. By examining the role of dolls, guns, action figures, and other toys, Goldberg reveals how they galvanized and symbolized new visions of social, racial, and gender justice. From a nationwide movement to oppose the sale of war toys during the Vietnam War to the founding of the company Shindana Toys by Black Power movement activists and the efforts of feminist groups to promote and produce nonsexist and racially diverse toys, Goldberg takes readers on a journey back to a pivotal period in the history of childhood. He explores not only how movement activists brought their progressive politics to the playroom by enlisting toys in the culture wars but also how the children's culture industry navigated the explosive politics and turmoil of the time in creative and socially conscious ways. Through his detailed account, Goldberg demonstrates how toys shaped and were shaped by radical visions, ultimately revealing the world of toys as much more than child's play.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478025115