For parents and families, gender stereotype can be a minefield of ambiguity and theory ? should you be thinking twice about dressing your daughter in pink?? Do you have to paint your son?s room blue?? And when it comes to picking toys for your children ? should you be considering the fact that some toys promote gender differences?
There isn?t one definitive answer as to what influences the disparity between the likes and personality traits between girls and boys.? It?s safe to say, however, that it is majorly societal.? Toys get unrelenting bad press about encouraging gender-specific behaviour.? In general terms, toys aimed at boys are said to encourage violence, and those aimed at girls are said to promote unrealistic aims for appearance and materialistic values.
Take Barbie, for example ? since her first appearance in 1959, over a billion Barbie dolls have been produced in around 150 countries.? On Barbie?s 50th Anniversary in 2009, 90% of girls in America ages 3-10 owned at least one Barbie doll, and around three Barbie dolls are sold worldwide every second.? Yet, Barbie is one toy in-particular that people have polarised views on.? Critics say she promotes an unhealthy body image and frivolous spending, but others say that she evolves along with cultural changes and presents a strong role model for children.
The question remains over why boys and girls are attracted to different toys targeted towards their gender ? but this is down to what toys they are given to play with.? Young children aren?t aware of toys being targeted towards gender ? so can they really be aware of any negative gender-stereotypical that may or may not be attached?
Gender differences are the result of primary socialisation and the media, not specific toys.? Just because you buy your daughter a princess toy doesn?t mean she will grow up passive and reliant on a male to come and rescue her for her to bake cakes for. After all, it?s just a toy.? These doubts ? such as Barbie promoting spending over saving with her numerous outfits ? have materialised from adults, not children. Children aren?t old enough to understand the labels and perceptions that exist over gender. Barbie might have a wardrobe full of clothes, but this doesn?t mean your child will grow up having shopping as her only life goal.
The releases of new Barbie dolls have coincided with changes in the social and political climates, reflecting an evolution in female identity throughout the past half century.? Barbie progresses alongside social and political changes ? new editions reflect changes in the construction of female identity.? It?s healthy for children to be instilled with the knowledge that women can take care of their appearance and still be intelligent.
As you tentatively walk into the toy shop, a mass of questions on gender may fill your mind? but upbringing is about a lot more than toys ? so go for something aimed stereotypically
towards gender if you want to, and don?t panic.
*This is a guest post.
Source: http://www.akblessingsabound.com/2012/03/why-you-shouldnt-worry-about-gender-specific-toys.html
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