As the holidays are quickly approaching, I have spent a great deal of my spare time online Christmas shopping. I always find the most enjoyment from shopping for Christmas gifts when shopping for my young cousins because I had some wonderful experiences growing up and playing with board games and Barbies. In search for a topic for this week's blog I looked toward the area of toys. Children as young as two and three are now able to identify gender roles and stereotypes just through their toys. By ages three and four, children form images of themselves as a boy or girl. A research paper I found by Denise Starr, a student of the University of North Carolina, explains how a local toy store, such as Toys 'R Us, and toys teach children stereotypical gender roles. Society sets "molds" of "proper adults" through stereotyped toys. Toys 'R Us even divides their store into specific "boy" and "girl" sections of toys identified by colors of blue and pink. Starr identifies that aside from the coloring of the store, the toy inventory within Toys 'R Us reveals sexism and gender stereotypes. The "girls" section includes dolls and kitchen sets while the "boys" section includes action figures and toy weapons. Young girls will learn through their toy options that they are expected to learn gender roles of taking care of the house and children. The toys options of baby dolls and kitchen sets reinforce the stereotype that women are expected to stay at home and take care of children. One of my favorite toys growing up was Barbie. It wasn't until reading more into the article that I understood how Barbie could have shaped my ideals of beauty and outward appearance. According to Denise Starr, "girls' toys (including Barbie) teach the obsessive value of appearance for societal acceptance." Barbie's image reflects ideals of maintaining outer appearances as opposed to inward beauty. In regards to electronic and board games, popular games within the "girl" section included "Telephone Tag" and "Dream Date Match Maker Service" & other games that did not challenge the mind. These games imply that girls are more social than boys and teach girls to "value socializing with friends rather than education."
The toys found in the "boys" section were almost the exact opposite of the "girls" section. The toys offered in the "boys" section include both adventure and physical activity toys/games as well as toys that "prepare boys for the 'real world.'" Games including "Police Communication System," "My CarryAlong Briefcase," & "Fire Rescue Power Crane" all emphasize roles outside of the home through high paying "white-collar" occupations. Educational toys are also offered throughout the "boys" section unlike the "girls."This mental stimulation that is apparent in these games promote boys to explore and experiment, not necessarily having to play quiet at home. These toys and games lead children developing early stereotypical ideas regarding their roles for the future. I believe that stores like Toys 'R Us need to mix up the entire store to not promote divided "girls" and "boys" sections. Neither boys or girls should be limited to the toys that they play with, especially when it is encouraging low self-esteem. Denise Starr states that in order to prevent children from living by these stereotypes, "parents should encourage gender-neutral and cross-gender play in children at an early age." I completely agree and will definitely put that into consideration when I am purchasing Christmas gifts this season for my young cousins.
Here is the original article I read for more information: http://www.unc.edu/~dcderosa/STUDENTPAPERS/childrenbattles/toysrusdenise.htm
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