Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Should Toys be gender specific?
This article poses the question, are toys too gender specific and is it right. There is no denying that once a child reaches age 3 or 4, some toys are seen as girls and others as boys. Girls play with dolls and fake clothes and makeup and stuffed animals, and boys play with cars and trucks and balls. Is it right to force kids to play with the toys that we as parents or siblings think members of that gender normally play with. Can a boy play with a doll, or a girl with a toy car? I believe the answer is yes, children should have the ability to play with what ever toys they seem necessary and fun. Children should never be hated or dismissed because they play with toys that were originally ment for the opposite gender. In our day and age, if we see a boy playing with a doll, people think that child is gay. If a girl is playing with a truck, she is a tom boy. These names are rude and they serve no purpose. When a child is young, they play with the same toys as each-other, no matter the gender, but once a child reaches the age of distinction, it seems they need to start representing their gender. This misconception is wrong and ruining our children's lives. People of need to be more open to the views of children and let them explore and figure out what they want to do in life. Maybe a child that likes dolls and cuts their hair will be a hair sylist when they get older, boy or girl. Parents need to get rid of the fears that a child's toy will define them and who they are and what they feel inside.
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I totally agree with your post. I think the majority of us all have the same or similar opinions about this topic. I believe that children should be able to play with whatever toy he or she desires. I also agree with your statement that the stereotypes we put on children serve no purpose. I believe that a child should keep an open mind and play with all sorts of toys, and the parents and siblings should allow this as well. As a child, I grew up playing with cars, trucks, and riding four-wheelers. However, I also played dress up and with dolls. Today, I don't think that has affected me in any negative way. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI liked your post but what I would like to add is that even before the child is born, the majority of the parents want to know the gender of the baby, so that they can put the pink/blue wallpapers in the new baby room. Of course, this is not directly related to toys but it is another example of dividing toys/color of clothes/color of wallpapers etc. to such for boys or girls.
ReplyDelete"People of need to be more open to the views of children...." I fully agree with that statement and I think that the reason why toys are divided by gender is because of our parents which gives us toys which are specifically for us, for our gender. Once we become used to this, when we become parents, we treat our kids the same way...and so on the bad stereotype is going from generation to generation. You also suggest a solution of the problem and I agree with your solution. Yes, "parents need to get rid of the fears that a child's toy will define them and who they are and what they feel inside." Great post!
Nice Job! You had many great points in your post that make you really think about what our children play with when they are younger. I agree that parents need to have less say and just appreciate and accept what their kids what to play with.
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