How do toys help shape gender roles

For boys, the emphasis on violence and aggression weapons, fighting, and aggression might be less than desirable in the long run. Also, moderately masculine toys have many positive qualities spatial skills, science, building things, etc. Perhaps, to some extent, it is the same for some moderately feminine toys nurturance, care for infants, developing skills in cooking and housework.

Professor Blakemore : I am not sure how surprising this is to me but it might be to parents: Moderately masculine toys encourage children's physical, cognitive, academic, musical, and artistic skills more so than moderately feminine ones. It's a toy trend that's "definitely going to continue," predicts Seiter. And that's good news for everyone. Internalizing 'Girls play with dolls, for example,' may lead children to believe moms take care of the children, not dads.

In essence, gender-focused toys can perpetuate stereotypes. But with gender-neutral toys, Dr. Lombardo says kids are free "to explore their interests [based on their own preferences], not according to how society pigeon holes them according to their gender.

According to a new report from the Toy Association , one of the unifying characteristics for all good STEAM toys is that they're gender-neutral and inclusive. Megan Maas , assistant professor of human development and family studies at Michigan State University , wrote this piece for The Conversation, an independent collaboration between editors and academics that provides informed news analysis and commentary to the general public.

Parents who want to raise their children in a gender-nonconforming way have a new stocking stuffer this year: the gender-neutral doll. The dolls come with a variety of wardrobe options and can be dressed in varying lengths of hair and clothing styles.

But can a doll — or the growing list of other gender-neutral toys — really change the way we think about gender? As a developmental psychologist who researches gender and sexual socialization, I can tell you that it also makes scientific sense.

Unfortunately, a doll alone is not going to overturn decades of socialization that have led us to believe that boys wear blue, have short hair and play with trucks; whereas girls like pink, grow their hair long and play with dolls. Toys marketed to boys tend to be more aggressive and involve action and excitement. Girl toys, on the other hand, are usually pink and passive, emphasizing beauty and nurturing.

Around the turn of the 20th century, toys were rarely marketed to different genders. By the s, manufacturers quickly caught on to the idea that wealthier families would buy an entire new set of clothing, toys and other gadgets if the products were marketed differently for both genders.

And so the idea of pink for girls and blue for boys was born. Gender neutrality represents the absence of gender — not the tolerance of different gender expression.

If we emphasize only the former, I believe femininity and the people who express it will remain devalued. And encourage the boys in your life to play with them too. We get it. Sign up for good Sunday reading. Portsmouth Climate Festival — Portsmouth, Portsmouth.

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