Essay about Gender Stereotypes Among Childrens Toys

Gender Stereotypes Among Childrens 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. I noticed the girls’ toys engaged fine motor skills more than the boys’ toys did. The girls have several different types and sizes of dolls to choose from – however, this also makes dolls or items used with dolls (Barbie clothes,†¦show more content†¦The boys’ toys mostly all used gross motor skills. Like the dolls in the girls’ section, the boys have equally as many types of cars or other vehicles to choose from. The boys’ side consisted of mainly three categories all together – 1) action figures, 2) â€Å"role† toys (guns – â€Å"Cops and Robbers† or â€Å"Cowboys and Indians†; ax, helmet, and badge – fireman; and miniature tools for pretending to be a construction worker) 3) cars. I discovered there weren’t really any toys in the boys’ section that didn’t fit in one of these three categories. All the boys toys were very stereotypical. 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 all promoted either an aggressive behavior or â€Å"manly† job. Like the girls’ section, very few toys didn’t promote a stereotypical idea. Few toys were aimed equally at both genders. Even board games, while intended for both sexes, usually seemed aimed more towards one gender or another. Both sections had a lot of gender- stereotypical toys. General ideas on girls’ and boys’ behaviors and interests were very prevalent in the toys intended for each gender. After really looking at the toys in both sections it is easy to understand why stereotypical ideas about both genders are so strong since these ideas are introduced at such a youngShow MoreRelatedToys And What They Signify994 Words   |  4 PagesToys and what they signify, which is the free expression of play among children, should be as open and diverse as possible.† (Dubois 2015) Specifically looking at girl stereotypes, toys targeted towards them are packaged in pink, purple and other bright colors of the rainbow. The most popular toys in this demographic are brands like Bratz, Barbie, or Disney Princesses. These dolls can push boundaries on how suggestive their marketing can get. Bratz dolls are usually dressed in skimpy clothing andRead MoreEssay on Gender Stereotype: Gender in The Toy Store1417 Words   |  6 Pagesyourself entering a toy department and noticing numerous diverse aisles. In one aisle, you encounter toys packaged in complementary and color triads colors that include building sets (such as â€Å"LEGO†, â€Å"LEGO Super Heroes†, and â€Å"Angry Birds†) and a wide selection of action figures—Spider Man, Transformers, The Dark Knight, Power Rangers, etc. In the next aisle, adjacent to the aisle with complementary and color triads colors, you find toys packaged in shades of pink and purple. These toys range from â €Å"HelloRead MoreThe Problem Among Kids Toys827 Words   |  4 Pages The Problem Among Kids Toys Having grown up with two brothers I was always around toys such as action figures and toy guns. I did not have a sister to play with, so I usually played with my brothers. 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