Examining Gender Socialization through Toys
argumentative Essay
1393 words
Gender Socialization plays a big part in a child’s life in shaping their femininty and masculinity. Every child is brought with to have played with at least one toy to have called their own. Now, the purpose of the research that has been conducted is to take a further look into how toys that is sold through stores and played by children. This will then give hindsight as to how what is considered the gender norm has a part in gender role stereotyping and the affect these toys have on children view of gender characteristics.
The store that the research was conducted at was the Wal-Mart Supercenter located on 151 SW 184th Ave, Pembroke Pines, FL. Date visited was on Thursday, March 19, 2014. It was done at approximately 6:45 pm and ended at 8:12pm; so it was approximately two hours long. The research method used to conduct it was by going down each aisle and counting how many different types of toys that is seen that represents the following: weapons, Baby Dolls, Barbie Cooking Accessories, Buildings for Living or Shopping (Houses/RVs/Bakeries), Cash Registers, Clothing Accessories (Shirts, Shoes, Etc.), Hair accessories, Royalty, Remote Control Vehicles or acing Vehicles, Animals portrayed as “scary, mean, or aggressive”, Military and Animals portrayed as “comforting, pretty, or loving.” Then within these categories, a differentiation between girls and boys was accounted for.
The types of toys that were found on the boys aisles were mostly a combination of the following: seventy-five Weapons, 164 Superhero Dolls/ Muscular Action Figures, thirty-nine Blue Collar Work, 300 Building Blocks/ Legos, 340 Remote Control Vehicles or Racing Vehicles, twenty Animals portrayed as “scary, mean, or aggressive,” twenty-five Military and sixty-...
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... display both a girl and a girl making pizza together, or baking a cake but in different colors. Society is far beyond from abolishing sexism, nonetheless teaching children to accept gender-neutral and cross-gender play may contribute a start.
From this research of examining how gender socialization is projection through toys to children, have led to conclusion that in order to prevent children from living by these stereotypes portrayed through toys, parents should encourage gender-neutral and cross-gender play in children at an early age. Just for the mere that their brain is so receptive to knowledge into creating to become the person they are to be in life. Give children a chance to not only have fun while playing with their toys and that there aren’t any pressures on them that this what they should be and that there a mind full options that they can choose from.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that gender socialization shapes a child's femininty and masculinity. the purpose of the research is to look into how toys that are sold through stores and played by children affect gender role stereotyping.
- Explains that the research was conducted at the wal-mart supercenter in pembroke pines, florida. it was done at approximately 6:45 pm and ended at 8:12pm.
- Explains the types of toys that were found on the boys aisles were mostly a combination of the following: seventy-five weapons, 164 superhero dolls/ muscular action figures and thirty-nine blue collar work.
- Explains that when children are engaged and playing with toys they are experiencing emotions of happiness, excitation, anger, shocked and fear. the attitudes associated with the toys are loving, sharing, malicious, hostility, cheerful, aggressiveness, intrigued, haughty, confident, earnest, superiority and quizitive.
- Explains that the girls and the types of toys that were found on their aisles were mostly a combination of the following: eighty-two baby dolls, 278 "barbie" type dollies, six-teen weapons
- Explains that when children (girls in particular) are engaged and playing with these toys they are experiencing emotions of happiness, excitation, enjoyment, anger, seriousness and shock.
- Explains that there is a great barrier between what is taught to be the gender norms for boys and girls. boys are expected to walk more dramatically, be louder, dirtier, and find the jobs that will give them more money.
- Analyzes how boys play louder, rougher and dirtier with trucks, fast cars, legos, and action figures, while girls play proper and clean with kitchen sets, clothing, dolls and barbies.
- Explains that boys play with high demand fire trucks, superhero dolls/ muscular action figures and weapons toys. girls make the supper, get the baby cleaned and fed, and maybe work as a housewife, nurse or chef.
- Argues that society promotes a "beauty myth" that is damaging to both men and women. boys are expected to be independent, assertive, and competitive, while girls are more passive, sensitive and supportive.
- Argues that girls don't have to worry about becoming the bread winner, lifting heavy objects, being stuck on the side of the road, or even opening some doors, while boys get the benefit of not worrying about cooking, cleaning, losing their job because of creating a family.
- Suggests that children should be exposed to non-gender-specific toys, such as superman and wonder women, to help eliminate sexism.
- Proposes a solution to solve gender inequalities by eliminating the color distinctions between girls and boys, and having both genders on the boxes.
- Concludes that parents should encourage gender-neutral and cross-gender play in children at an early age to prevent children from living by stereotypes portrayed through toys.
Related
- opinionated
- analytical
- explanatory
- Gender Roles In The Walmart Supercenter At The Walmart Storeopinionated essayI will not impose “gender specific” toys on them or tell them that it is not acceptable for a boy to play with a baby doll or tell my future daughter that it is not allowed for her to pretend sword fight. My children will be able to decide what they like and what they do not like and I will not allow anyone to decide that for them. This assignment has definitely opened my eyes to the market that is out there stereotyping children without much notice. Taking time to actually look into what is being done with toys and society with children has broadened my understanding and awareness of the impending problem that children are being faced with. I hope that one day we will see an end to gender stereotyping so that my future children will not be forced to feel out of place if they do not identify with a specific feeling or emotion that a boy should have or a girl should have. It sickens me and breaks my heart that things so minuscule such as toys can have such a negative effect on lives, especially on such a young children. This ideology of gender segregation should not be supported or further produced because it is harmful to the children that are directly or indirectly being affected by
In this essay, the author
- Opines that they feel pressured by gender stereotyping as a 19-year-old who likes finding interesting, new music and television shows. teenage boys are pushed into being infatuated with sports and any guy that is not in love with his vehicle is considered to be wrong with them.
- Opines that placing labels on a person is ill-advised and not so globally acceptable. god created each and every one of us to be unique with special capabilities and talents.
- Opines that gender segregation should not be supported or further produced because it is harmful to the children affected by it.
- Opines that society needs to stop stereotypes and educate people about impending problems. social media is a very important highway for information in the twenty first century.
- Conducted their research and collected their data for this experiment at 3:30pm on tuesday march 8th, 2016 at walmart supercenter in abilene, texas.
1330 wordsRead More - Gender Roles Of Gender And Gender In Walmartanalytical essayThat is, boys will customarily receive blue clothing or toys while pink clothing or toys will be for girls. “Children‘s toys and games are also differentiated on the basis of sex” (Diekman and Murnen 2004; Seccombe p.99). Through these toys or playing with these toys, boys and girls would eventually distinguish the differences between male and female; also, may strengthen, and perpetuate the traditional gender stereotypes. For instance, boys or men are expected to act and behave in ways that have been considered masculine or associated with masculinity (Seccombe p.104); “men are often assumed to be more aggressive, sexual, unemotional, rational, and task oriented than women” (Seccombe p.93); and thus, action figures, such as Superman, WWE wrestling toys, and Hulk are made for boys to play with. While girls or women’s roles are associated with femininity (Seccombe p.104); “women are assumed to be more nurturing, passive, and dependent” (Seccombe p.93); and so, cooking and baking set and baby dolls with bottle feeding and diapering set are made for girls, so, they could apply their nurturing and culinary skills when they get older and mainly do household chores. Personally, I believe these toys have both negative and positive influence on children’s socialization. For instance, playing with toy guns or military toy set with a knife may lead to early exposure to violence and aggression. However, some toys, such as Lego building set and blocks, arts and crafts have a powerful and influential influence on children’s thinking and
In this essay, the author
- Explains that walmart is one of the well-known children's toy stores in the united states and visited the store nearby their house on davis street in san leandro.
- Analyzes walmart's "girls" and "boys'" toy aisles, which have blue background dividers and blue and green packaging.
- Opines that toys have both negative and positive influence on children's socialization.
705 wordsRead More - Kids Toys and Socializationanalytical essayKids Toys & Socialization Toy stores are perfect places for a sociologist to use their sociological imagination. Gendering and racism is thought to be something that is socially constructed as opposed to biologically constructed. Gendering starts during infancy, and around 2 years old children start to internalize these gender differences. I argue that children’s toys help socialize children into gender specific roles. Toy stores, like Target and Toys R Us help us understand what types of toys help to gender children.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the shelves in the aisles that contained these princess dolls and toys were pink. there were 15 different kinds of barbies, and only two of them were african american.
- Explains that most of the boys toys were based off of what used to be the "man's job" in society, such as working hard, playing sports, and fixing cars.
- Analyzes how carol auster and claire mansbach published an article about disney and their online toy website. they argued that majority of disney toys are specifically made for girl or boy and gender neutral toys were listed under both.
- Explains that the boy toys were action figures or figures of great success. gender is a form of social construction in which we accept and try to live by gender norms.
- Explains that certain toys are appropriate for male and female as long as they are in some way gendered.
- Explains that target's online toy store carries the same toys as the actual store does. the only gender neutral toys are those that teach the alphabet or numeric system.
- Explains that children's toy stores socialize children into gender roles because they separate the toys into sections for girls and boys.
- Argues that children's toys help socialize children into gender specific roles. target and toys r us help us understand gender-neutral toys.
- Analyzes the gender marketing of toys: an analysis of color and type of toy on the disney store website.
1415 wordsRead More - Gender Stereotypes Among Children's Toysanalytical essayGender Stereotypes Among Children's Toys When you walk into the toy section of any store, you do not need a sign to indicate which section is the girls’ side and which section is the boys’ side. Aside from all the pink, purple, and other pastel colors that fill the shelves on the girls’ side, the glitter sticks out a lot as well. The boys’ toys however are mostly dark colors – blue, black, red, gray, or dark green. The colors typically used on either side are very stereotypical in themselves.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the gender stereotypes of children's toys in the toy section of any store. pink, purple, and other pastel colors fill the shelves on the girls' side, while boys' toys are mostly dark colors.
- Analyzes how the girls' toys engaged fine motor skills more than the boys’ toys did. this shows the stereotypical attitude that all girls like to nurture and will someday be expected to be mothers.
- Explains that the girls' section was filled with stuffed animals or other toy animals like "pound puppies" or "my little ponies". the toys promoted non-aggressive play and behavior.
- Explains that the boys' toys mostly used gross motor skills, while the girls have equally as many types of cars or other vehicles to choose from.
- Explains that the extreme concentration of cars in the boys' toys shows the stereotypical attitude that all boys like cars. the toys that weren't car related promoted either an aggressive behavior or “manly” job.
- Explains that few toys were aimed equally at both genders. even board games, while intended for both sexes, usually seemed more towards one gender or another.
514 wordsRead More - Stereotypes in Early Gender Socializationexplanatory essayIf we try to categorize human by the term “gender”, people will be divided into two groups, males and females. Using this kind of categorization, it is considering people who belong in the same group are similar, and these two groups are very different from each other. However in real life, men and women’s characteristics tend to overlap (Crespi) . Even people who are in the same group may have different characteristics and personalities which are formed influencing by the environment and experiences.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that gender socialization is the process of learning what it means to be a male or female in the society, in which gender stereotypes and bias are usually involved.
- Explains that family influences children's gender socialization. parents dress infants differently based on gender stereotypes.
- Explains that the next environment children enter is education, where a conscious socialization is happening.
- Explains that peer relationships are important in the development of children's self-concept, as they influence their view on the roles of males and females in society.
- Explains that children learn gender roles through different media, such as educational books, picture books and animated cartoons.
- Concludes that stereotyped and biased gender socialization on children can cause bullying among peers. this bullying is not uncommon around the world and is due to stereotypes and bias.
- Explains that a boy aged 11 attempts suicide after being bullied for liking my little pony. campenni, c., 1999. gender stereotyping of children's toys: a comparison of parents and non parents.
- Explains that gender role stereotypes, expectancy effects, and parents' socialization of gender differences in children's television advertising.
- Cites rubin, j. p., witt, s. d. and wood, e.
1370 wordsRead More - Gender Stereotype: Gender in The Toy Storeanalytical essayIn order to fully comprehend the how gender stereotypes perpetuate children’s toys, one must understand gender socialization. According to Santrock, the term gender refers to the, “characteristics of people as males and females” (p.163). An individual is certainly not brought into the world with pre-existing knowledge of the world. However, what is certain is the belief that the individual has regarding him- or herself and life stems from socialization—the development of gender through social mechanisms. For instance, when a baby is brought into this world, his or her first encounter to gender socialization arises when the nurse places a blue or pink cap on the baby’s head. This act symbolizes the gender of the baby, whether it is a boy (blue cap) or a girl (pink cap). At the age of four, the child becomes acquai...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the social role theory, a gender difference that results from the contrasting roles of females and males, causes gender differences regarding power, nurture, and assertiveness.
- Analyzes how toys r us exposes hidden sexism through children's toys. the "barbie" doll is responsible for what society has placed as the ideal "standard of beauty".
- Analyzes how boys' toys encourage aggressive behavior, dominance, and competition, while women are viewed as weaker genders.
- Disagrees with the stereotypical approach of toy marketers separating toys by gender. they argue that it would be wise to market toys portraying gender neutrality.
- Explains that toys are a crucial component in the social development and behavior of children.
- Concludes that gender stereotypes and gender roles are taught and reinforced through toys. the idea that boys are obligated to be doctors, innovators, and overachievers, while girls should maintain positions such as nurses, is not right.
- Cites rajecki, dame, creek, barrickman, reid, c. a., and appleby, d.
- Analyzes how gender stereotypes perpetuate children's toys, and explains the concept of gender socialization in santrock’s book.
- Analyzes the effects of commercials on children's perceptions of gender-appropriate toys and their parents' beliefs about them.
1409 wordsRead More - Young children are typically raised around specific sex-types objects and activities. This includes the toys that that are given, activities that they are encouraged to participate in, and the gender-based roles that they are subjected to from a young age. Parents are more likely to introduce their daughters into the world of femininity through an abundance of pink colored clothes and objects, Barbie dolls, and domestic chores such as cooking and doing laundry (Witt par. 9). Contrarily, boys are typically exposed to the male world through action figures, sports, the color blue, and maintenance-based chores such as mowing the lawn and repairing various things around the house (Witt par. 9). As a result, young children begin to link different occupations with a certain gender thus narrowing their decisions relating to their career goals in the future. This separation of options also creates a suppresses the child from doing something that is viewed as ‘different’ from what they were exposed to. Gender socialization stemming from early childhood shapes the child and progressively shoves them into a small box of opportunities and choices relating to how they should live their
In this essay, the author
- Opines that gender socialization is the foundation of how children are brought up and the primary reason for how boys and girls view the world in different ways.
- Explains that children are socialized differently through early childhood. they are exposed to gender-based activities, such as barbie dolls, action figures, sports, and maintenance-related chores.
- Analyzes how the socialization of young boys and girls creates a divide in the aspect of how children are brought up and expected to behave.
- Explains that there are still debating points stating that gender socialization doesn't occur or doesn’t pose a problem, which can be refuted using multiple examples that trace back to one main topic: sexism.
- Argues that gender socialization has been the center-point for flaws in modern-day society. socializing body's and girls not only heightens the expectations of others but also increases individuals harshness towards themselves.
707 wordsRead More - Stereotypes In Jean Piaget's Stages Of Cognitive Developmentanalytical essayFrancis’s study analyzes three to five-year-old preschool students as well as their parents about their views about toys and viewing materials based on gender. The study showed that parental beliefs shaped their child 's opinions of gender roles based on the toys they played with. The parent 's idea of what is female and what is male is transferred onto the toys their child plays with which in terms developed their child 's stereotype of what is male and female based on their toy selection and color. In the article “How do today 's children play and with which toys?”, by Klemenovic reference that a child 's view on gender stereotypes is developed by their parents who train them on how to use the toys. Klemenovic (2014) states "Adults start training in the first months of a child 's life because knowledge of objects is the outcome of other people 's behavior towards us" (Klemenovic, 2014, p. 184). Young children’s development of gender stereotypes is largely influenced by his or her parent’s actions and view on what they consider male or female. A parent’s color preference and toy selection can influence a child’s gender bias or association to a specific
In this essay, the author
- Explains jean piaget's stages of cognitive development, which are sensory motor, pre-operational, concrete- operational, and formal operations. the second stage develops stereotypes associated with gender roles and views of how the world works around them.
- Analyzes how becky francis' article "gender, toys and learning" explains that a child's development of gender stereotypes is influenced by his or her parents' actions and views on what they consider male or female.
- Explains lobue & deloache's suggestion that gender stereotypes form by parents stereotypically dressing their male or female child in blue or pick. by dressing infants and toddlers in these specific colors, the child develops a predilection for the color.
- Explains how a study followed 355 three-year-old students and their parents to examine implicit and explicit gender stereotypes associated with mother's and father' s views.
- Explains that freeman's article showed that parents, teachers, and peers were more critical of boys who played with or with female type toys or games.
764 wordsRead More - Effects Of Gender Inequality Essayanalytical essayParents do all these things while their children play with their gender-appropriate toys. Gender norms in the home can be shown in “the example of which types of toys parents typically give to their children,’feminine’ toys such as dolls often reinforce interaction, nurturing, and closeness,’masculine’ toys such as cars or fake guns often reinforce independence, competitiveness, and aggression” (Gender Inequality). By instilling these gender norms in young children, kids learn what kind of toys they are expected to play with. These roles are the first step to noticing the distinct difference between the two genders.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that school dress codes perpetuate self-consciousness, sexual objectification of women, and gender inequality.
- Explains that males and females are not treated equally in the film industry. angelina jolie earns approximately the same salary as denzel washington and liam neeson.
- Explains that although gender inequality is rampant in the film industry, the world of business in general is also inundated with unequal treatment of women.
- Recommends that parents and guardians should let their kids play with toys that make them happy rather than just the ones that seem gender appropriate.
- Argues that gender equality in schools promotes a healthy learning environment that focuses on education rather than dress code.
- Analyzes the effects of gender inequality in homes, schools, businesses, media, and society in general.
- Opines that there is a social, moral, and ethical responsibility to promote gender equality in the film industry.
- Analyzes how school dress codes shame girls and perpetuate rape culture. ellis-petersen, hannah.
- Explains that "feminist club releases dress code survey feedback with alarming results". the sydney morning herald.
- Explains that "how to end gender inequality at home". everyday life - global post.
1837 wordsRead More - Essay On Gender Stereotypes In Childrenexplanatory essayAdolescent is essential in understanding gender development. With a society that classifies everything in feminine or masculine. Children are identifying by colors and toys. Girl’s wear pink, play with dolls and have pretend kitchen while, boys wear blue, play with action figures and have pretend guns. These differences are still instilled in young children what is socially acceptable. Some stores have tried to combat the gender stereotype by eliminating toys aisle and instead use a genderless aisle. The removal of gender label removes gender stereotypes. However, gender differences are also evidences in marketing advertised. Stores like Walmart and Toys R US recently, tried to tone down their gender specific children’s marketing. Toys can be representative as way children should be gender identities. For example, females should play with dolls. However, playing with dolls does not naturally portray person as feminine or it proves a girl as female. By
In this essay, the author
- Explains that children are identifying by colors and toys. some stores have tried to combat the gender stereotype by eliminating toys aisle and using a genderless aisle.
- Explains gender identity is stereotypes of what is masculinity and femininity that separates people. if sexuality was not gender different there would be no lesbian, gays or transgender people
- Explains that transgender acceptances of what is indefinable gender are socially acceptable. gender dysphoria is defined by strong, persistent feeling of identification with the opposite gender.
- Opines that it is essentials support gender identity in children development. it may secure the future elimination of gender dysphoria and provided more acceptance of people being their true self.
537 wordsRead More