There can be a range of problematic issues with Lego Arctic
sets such as encouraging the exploration for, and depletion of, finite natural
resources around the world through play; rather than encouraging individuals to
find new alternatives. But regular readers of this blog will know that the main
focus is the gender of mini-figs in Lego sets not the depiction of problematic
scenes and situations, unless they are specifically gendered in nature.
These Arctic sets were Lego’s first attempt at exploring the
snow covered Arctic regions and included vehicles specific for the snow and research
stations. As with other sub-themes, a background story accompanied these Arctic
sets where Arctic explorers tracked down meteor impact sites around the Arctic.
At these sites, the explorers collected meteors parts such as transparent
hollow rock pieces, transparent orange scorpions and other exotic alien
creatures.[2]
These sets were also released during a period of change for
Lego where there was a shift away from using their classic bricks to build and
imagine countless scenarios to focusing on younger audiences and more simplistic
designs.[3]
Consequentially, Arctic sets included more single use set-specific larger parts
reducing the total number of bricks included in each set. Many of the sets only
included one mini-fig and averaged 31 bricks in each set. Even the larger sets
were quite small averaging only 211 bricks per set. This is much smaller
compared to the average number of bricks used in earlier sets and post 2005
sets.
There were a total of 17 mini-figs in the released Arctic
sets and an additional three in unreleased sets. Although better than the Town
Construction sets, the gendered aspect of the Town Arctic sets remains rather dismal.
There is only one female mini-fig included in the released
Arctic sets. An additional female mini-fig was included in the unreleased sets.
Although in a positive move, the two female mini-figs (both released and
unreleased) are depicted in active positions, a pilot and Arctic explorer
pulling a sledge full of exploration equipment. The fact that Lego choose to
depict the only released female mini-fig as a pilot is a step forward,
particularly given pilots remains a male dominated professions 16 years after
the release of Arctic Lego sets and the typical depiction of female mini-figs
in other sets released during the same period.
In 2016, pilots have a rather dismal gender ratio. One study
showed that of 650,000 pilots worldwide, 93 per cent are male.[4]
And approximately only 5.44 per cent of commercial pilots are female across the
globe. As with most things, the actual percentage varies across countries with
Finland where 12 percent of pilots are female compared with Brazil and Mexico
where just over two percent of pilots are female. For Lego this is a positive
step to include a female pilot as it encourages girls that a career as a
professional pilot is a possibility, that they can dream, imagine and explore
through play as their own gender! Just like boys have for generations.
Further, the percent of female student pilots also remains
rather low but in a positive step higher than the actual percentage of currently
qualified pilots. In India, Japan and the USA, 12 per cent of student pilots
are female. In other countries this percentage varies between one and nine per
cent.
Although slightly disappointing is the generic name given to
the female mini-fig – pilot. This is particularly so in the context of all
Arctic explorers being identifiable as one of three main characters; Captain
Ross, Scooter and Cosmo. The only other generically named mini-fig is the
Arctic medic, another male mini-fig. These mini-figs are also depicted in a
range of ways, undertaking different activities in each set. This creates a
very dynamic image of male Arctic explorers. Whereas, although the inclusion of
a female Arctic pilot is positive, the single female mini-fig is presented as
somewhat one-dimensional.
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