Sunday, October 17, 2010

Barbies Vs. Legos: Caelyn, Lauren, and Sophia N.

Yesterday we walked into Toys R Us in Times Square. We were hit with the memories of when we were 4 and getting to go to Toys R Us and pick out whatever we wanted. Everyone went to Toys R Us as a kid, it was the toy store to go to. This time it was different, we went in with different goggles on. We went in, however, not to pick out a toy, but to observe the gender stereotypes unconsciously built into toys.
When you are young your imagination is at its peak, children's toys are made with intension of kids putting themselves into the character. The pattern that stood out the most was girls characters were given unrealistic jobs, girls have dolls and Barbies that depict a lifestyle of, a princess, a girlfriend/wife, a mother, or prom queen. With the exception of mother, young girls are striving to be something that will not get them anywhere. Also all of them rely on someone else to provide for them. However boys toys have jobs such as: pilot, firefighter, doctor, or farmer. All of these jobs are practical and lucrative. Playing with these toys, boys will follow their dream and have a realistic profession, while girls dream of becoming a pretty princess. The likelihood of a boy achieving his dream is much higher then a girls.
To what extent do the gender specific toys affect the way children grow up?

1 comment:

  1. Do toys have that big of an impact on children? I'm not sure. I wouldn't be surprised if a girl actually did grow up wanting to be a princess (in fact I know of a few) but that dream quickly died as soon as reality set in. Does the fact that toys are depicting a false reality affect young children?

    -Phelix

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