The differences in the toys geared for boys in contrast to the toys geared towards girls are very different and have a strong influence in defining gender roles. Playing is one of the most effective and influential aspects to child development as they enhance both communicative, intellectual and social skills. Unfortunately, many times these toys are gender specific and set a foundation for gender roles and contribute to shaping children’s personality from a very young age. The toys are gender specific in terms of the colors, types, the images on the toys, how the toys are decorated along with what kinds of phrases or messages accompany the toy. When I went into Toys“R”Us, there was an array of toys.
Girls toys I saw were dolls, calico critters, baby strollers, and makeup sets. I will be describing how these toys play a role in the gender socialization process. First off, I will describe the role the toys are playing when it comes to the socialization process for boys and girls. The masculine wrestling action figures and construction vehicles are showing boy 's their gender roles. In the book, “You May Ask Yourself”, defines social roles as “the concept of gender roles, set of behavioral norms assumed to accompany one’s status as male or female” (Conley, pg 130).
The Toy Store: Everything Has a Purpose The toy manufactory industry has implanted the idea that toys that children play with should correspond with their gender. Manufacturers differentiate whom the toy is for by the color of the toy and type of toy. For example, manufacturers will produce the same toy in different colors like the Fisher-Price Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo, that comes in two colors (purple and blue), and are side-by-side on the shelves. The toys that I observed at Target, were categorized based on the stereotypes of gender roles, racial groups, and age groups. For children ages two and under, the types of toys included in their aisles were musical “instruments” that are geared to help them learn.
Imagine this, a mother lets her child pick a toy from the toy aisle. He or she gazes at the many types of toys that stand in front of him or her. So many choices, but only one can be bought. Many characteristics of the toys are taken under consideration in the decision process. The Sharp crisp edges of the box, the assortment of colors, the font of the toy’s name on the box, and even the position of the toy in the aisle helps the child decide on which toy is best.
Toys teach children gender stereotypes, develop gender identity, and help them socialize. In a word, playing with toys can be seen as a repetition of children’s future life. Children intuitively prefer the toys that fit their gender needs – boys prefer to play with toy weapon while girls prefer to play with dolls. If a child is deprived of an opportunity to play with toys, he or she ends up with a significant gap in his or her mental development and socialization skills. This is why parents should allow their children play with their favorite
What the Barbie is or does is not that important to them. She was thrilled to open this one, however right away all the children at the party wanted to decorate her. There was no way that I was going to open the frosting until it was just my 2 at home to decorate. What I basically need to explain in this whole story is that people love there things but when they got something better then it or something just like it but new then they start loving the new thing. References Barbie Dress up Fun (Paper Doll) by Golden Books http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/04/11/tem_relate11married.html
While we walk through Toys R Us, we noticed how separate the designs or make up of the toys that were displayed throughout the store. The two separate designs were very distinct in what type of gender they belonged to. In order to understand how toys play a role to the development gender identification, we took a close view at how company market their toys. We first focused on the toys that you would assume were directed towards boys. The design of the toys were mostly “boy colors” like blue, black and red, which were bolder to the eye.
This means that the toys children are given go a long way to further (or help change) gender stereotypes and inequality. In general, boys are given trucks, blocks and doctor’s kits, encouraging them to build, explore how things work and be a... ... middle of paper ... ... a simple as changing the way our children play with their toys. Bibliography: Works Cited Arbetter, Sandra R. “Boys and Girls: Equal but not the Same.” Current Health 2. Dec. 1991: 16. Bruning, F. “Separating the Sexes in Toyland.” Newsday.
Toy stores, like Target and Toys R Us help us understand what types of toys help to gender children. I will explain how the toys in the toy aisles differ and compare. Not all toys are either male or female, some toys are gender neutral. I went to a Target store at a plaza in Framingham. When I arrived in the toy section of the store I realized that there were separate toy aisles for boys and for girls.
The company explained that the new dolls will be a better reflection of what girls see in the world around them. Not only will they better represent the diversity seen in real women, they may also help girls develop a more realistic body image. Mattel believes they have a responsibility to girls and parents to reflect a broader view of beauty. Parents should make informed decisions about which toys they give to their children and consider carefully how those toys might affect them. The new Barbie dolls offer increased options for parents.