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Shocked mum slams Kmart for 'rude and graphic' toy


An outraged mum has slammed Kmart after discovering a “rude and graphic” depiction of male genitalia on her child’s toy – and is now calling for it to be banned.

Before going on a family trip to the zoo on February 8, mum-of-five Tanya Husnu, 33, thought it would be a great idea for her kids to bring along some animal toys for their special day out.

The professional blogger headed to her local Kmart in Melton, in Melbourne’s west, where she let her three youngest children Aylah, three, and twins Hakan and Osman, four, pick out their own plastic animal toys.

The excited kids picked out an elephant, hippopotamus and lion toy for just $5 each from the store – but Ms Husnu was shocked when her kids started questioning her about the graphic “willy” on the lion which her son Hakan had chosen.

On closer inspection, the mum realised that the lion toy – which according to Kmart’s website is aimed at children aged three and upwards – had a “graphic” depiction of male genitalia hidden under the animal’s tail, while the other two plastic toys did not.

Tanya Husnu’s son Hakan picked the toy lion to take to the zoo. Source: Tanya Husnu/Caters
Tanya Husnu’s son Hakan picked the toy lion to take to the zoo. Source: Tanya Husnu/Caters

“We went into Kmart and my three youngest picked out their own toys. They were all really happy with them.

“Then one of the twins turned the lion around, and my daughter yelled out ‘look mum, the lion’s got a willy’ and they all started laughing.

“I thought it was really inappropriate. In this day and age, it’s not acceptable to have things like that on children’s toys.”

Ms Husnu said her home was full of toys and she had never seen anything like it before.

“It’s so stupid and just plain weird,” she said.

“You might find something like that in a specialty store on a hen’s night or something.

“I was really shocked. I mean it’s funny as well and you can’t help but laugh but it’s still just not appropriate for a child’s toy that is on full display in the kids’ section.

“My kids thought it was hilarious though. At the zoo, they kept lifting up the tail and showing strangers walking past the lion’s bits as they walked past and yelling out ‘willy!’. It was so embarrassing.”

Tanya Husnu said the lion had a “rude and graphic” depiction of male genitalia. Source: Tanya Husnu/Caters
Tanya Husnu said the lion had a “rude and graphic” depiction of male genitalia. Source: Tanya Husnu/Caters

Ms Husnu said it was “shocking” to see and added that although her kids understand the basic differences between the male and female anatomy, such a “graphic” depiction should not be allowed on toys aimed at children as young as three.

The mum has also urged Kmart to consider taking this toy off the shelves.

“Some kids will probably know what it is, especially when they have siblings around the same age, and yes as some have said they will need to learn what it is at some stage,” she said.

“But that’s really the parent’s decision. For kids who are not aware what that might be, it’s really quite rude.

“I’m a really easygoing parent, and I’m open to explaining the facts of life and where babies come from to my kids.

“But some parents might want to wait to have that conversation or have their kids exposed to that kind of thing at such a young age.”

The mother has called for the toy to be removed from Kmart shelves. Source: File/AAP
The mother has called for the toy to be removed from Kmart shelves. Source: File/AAP

Ms Husnu said she did not know what the department store was thinking.

“If I only had a little girl for instance, I wouldn’t want her seeing what men’s private parts look like at that age,” she said.

“I don’t know what they were thinking. It’s not on any of the others, so it just doesn’t make sense why it’s just on the lion, it’s bizarre.

“Kmart should look at removing this toy from the shelves.”

Kmart has been contacted for comment.