Should we Avoid Gender Stereotype Toys?

 

Traditionally there has been a strong distinction between girls’ toys and boys’ toys. But in today’s modern world, should gender-specific toys be avoided?

 

Yes – Bethan

The notion that girls should play with dolls while boys play with cars is so out-dated. I don’t think toys these days should be marketed as being either for girls or boys – surely it’s better just to make all toys suitable for anyone. After all, why wouldn’t a girl enjoy playing with cars or forts – just as boys can play with dressing-up sets?

Toys traditionally have reflected the sort of adults we expect children to grow up to be. So a century ago, boys would have been given a toy gun while girls would have had a doll. But we’re not living in the past – today girls can aspire to becoming mechanics or engineers, or join the army just like boys. And most modern men take on their fair share of household chores so toys should reflect the progress society has made in sexual equality rather than just reinforcing outdated stereotypes.

The main problem that I have is that toys that are marketed as ‘girls’ toys tend to suggest that the only things girls should be interested in are make-up, baking, cleaning, and having babies. Meanwhile, boys get to be super-heroes or play with exciting, noisy toys that actually do something. I hate the fact that my daughter’s bedroom is a sea of pink and sparkles – she’s not a Disney princess but all the toys she gets given seem to assume that’s what she should aspire to be.

 

 

No – Sheila

We’ve always had different types of toys for girls and boys and that’s simply because they enjoy playing with different things. My granddaughters all love playing with dolls while my grandsons prefer cars. There’s nothing wrong in buying children toys that they will enjoy playing with but it seems to be fashionable now to ignore tradition. Why can’t we simply embrace the differences between the sexes rather than always trying to force boys and girls to like the same things?

Toys are more than just play things – they help to prepare children for adult life. In the past when boys played with guns, it was to prepare them for war. Meanwhile, girls would play with dolls because they would one day become a mother. I appreciate that times have changed but the fundamental differences between men and women still exist.

People seem to object girls’ toys in particular because they focus on being a housewife and mother – but what’s wrong with that? Criticising toys such as kitchen sets, ironing boards and dolls seems to be suggesting that there is something inferior about being a housewife and mother. No-one criticises boys’ toys in the same way. I think it would be better for modern parents to celebrate traditional girls’ toys as reinforcing the importance of women’s roles rather than criticising them.

Finally, from a practical point of view, I know when I buy toys for children, it’s always easier to choose an appropriate gift when they are clearly marketed for boys or girls.

Categories: Gender, stereotype, Toys

Are you Lying About Sex to Meet Expectations?

Recent research suggests that both men and women lie about their sexual behaviour in order to meet cultural expectations, even though they wouldn’t be dishonest about other gender-related behaviours. In a study concerning sexual behaviour, it was discovered that men are more willing to admit when they’ve engaged in behaviours seen by college students, such as writing poetry, which are generally associated with women. Likewise, women were open about their love of obscene jokes or other ‘male-oriented’ activities. But with regards to sex, men wanted to appear more masculine and be seen to have had many sexual experiences. Women, in accordance with this theory, wanted to be seen to have had less experience, to be in keeping with the expectations of women. Sexuality seems to be unique in that people are more willing to adhere to stereotypes.

 

Sexuality seems to be the one area where people feel concerned if they don’t meet what people expect of them in accordance for their gender. In this most recent study, women reported to have had more sexual partners than men when they were connected to a lie-detector test and believed they needed to be truthful. The study shows that people feel an obligation to meet stereotypes when it comes to sexual activity. The study involved 293 students aged between 18 and 25. Researchers found that in an earlier study back in 2003, the female participants rose from having fewer sexual partners (when not connected to a lie detector machine) to being even with men, when hooked up to a lie detector. Cultural expectations are still prominent even with something as taboo as discussing sex, showing what an influence the media has on our conventions and attitudes. Where women normally take pride in being equal to men, it seems that where sex is concerned, women still feel the need to conform to a stereotype.

Categories: new study, sexual health, stereotype