Gender Differences In Gender Toys

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The characteristics of gender are noticeable for children as young as two, and it has become even more noticeable through the toys that they play with. Throughout history, toys have slowly transformed into gender base and stereotypical toys. While conducting research, it appeared that toys began to segregate slowly in the 40s and continued to divide the genders of boys and girls into the new millennium. Parents and their behavior as well as their actions have become a model that toy companies have been wrongfully using to make toys and advertise towards children. Boys and girls are being confined to toys based on their gender. This research paper will discuss how are girls are being compartmentalized by the housework toys, followed by boys …show more content…

A simple solution to the pink and blue segregated toy aisle has emerged with neutral gender toys. Toys were traditionally intended to help develop movement coordination, communicate how to share, stimulate imaginations, and develop their problem solving techniques; unfortunately, they have changed into gender and stereotyping toys. Limiting children play through toys could potentially have an impact on skills. It is absolutely okay for boys to play with baby dolls because it’s a skill based on caring; bathing, feeding, and dressing dolls are all the basic skills when learning about caring. It can help aid and prepare boys who have younger siblings or younger cousins. It is also important to steer away from narrow minded thinking that baby dolls are strictly for girls. “The Karl Groo instinctual theory of play was popular at the time and influenced educators policy makers (Lucie, Julie 264). Rather than being an aimless activity, play was an instinctual drive through which children practiced the skills they would need later in life.” Lucie and Julie make a great point in recognizing how toys should have skill sets that can be used in life. But until that happens, gender neutral toys have been emerging to help ease the transition of playing with strictly girls and boys toys. Plush toys are among the common gender neutral toys; plush toys have been a standard gift to give and receive. Unlike dolls and action figures, plush toys aren’t sealed in any type of packing. Instead, they are in large bins, barrels, or on shelves. This allows children to pick and choose which plush toy appeals to them the best. Gender neutral television shows have also contributed to the popularity of plush toys among children. Stevens and Harrison stated that for both boys and girls, Rugrats, was an overwhelming favorite television program. Doug, Pokémon, Arthur, Rocko’s

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