Gender-typed toys response

Question

What do your observations suggest about how gender is constructed in our society through toy design and/or advertising?

How might such constructions of gender influence popular ways of thinking about gender roles, norms and stereotypes? What might be the larger societal implications of such ideas?

Answer 1

Toys for boys: cars, superheroes, monsters

Toys for girls: plastic tiara, barbie dolls, pink frilly things

The larger social implications of this is present when you look at how young girls and young boys are treated. Oftentimes the caregiver of a child will scold the girl for climbing trees, playing in the dirt, etc. Meanwhile, if a boy was to do these things, or even do more "rambunctious" activities of mischief, or, say, even assault a girl child, it is shrugged of with "he's just being a boy, it's what they do." Boys are allowed to be rough and play and girls are told delicate and silent.