Upon visiting the toy store for class, I noticed the differences between boys toys and girls toys. And I wondered a lot about what someone would do if they wanted their child to be gender neutral.
My dad just recently became a grandfather, and he hates that my niece is always wearing pink. I wonder if he wishes that she was a grandson or if he understands the possible side effects to "gendered" raising of children?
I think it is very important for all children to have a wide range of toys, because boys toys teach different skills and girls toys teach certain things. In order to have a well rounded and well developed child the need to exercise all types of play.
The article "The Effects of Stereotyped Toys and Gender on Play Assessment in Children Aged 18-47 Months" by Isabelle Cherney supports that girls toys may teach children more meaningful skills then strictly boys toys. Girls toys promote imagination and formation of stories. They also teach nurturing and loving skills. It is extremely important for children to have a wide range of toys.
Do you think it's better for children to be raised in a more neutral way or in a gender specific way?
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI think that it is more important for children to be raised in a more gender specific way. Like you said earlier, "In order to have a well rounded and well developed child they need to exercise all types of play." This is an excellent point in terms of structuring what a child should play with. I think that I am more well rounded because I did play with my brothers toys as well as my own. In terms of raising my children I think I will provide them with multiple gendered toys. I think then they can think critically and create a positive act of play.
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned your dad and your niece, I wondered what he would say if you told him about this class and then asked him why he objected to the "pink" thing? I am almost always surprised when I ask people "why"?
Also, try moving your questions to a more social and/or cultural level (along with what you are already doing by asking for specific, individual opinion). For example, "I wonder what would happen if a whole generation of children were raised by parents who tried to be more gender-neutral in their parenting?" "Is that even possible given that parents are raised with socially constructed gender identities?" "As a society, are we really moving toward more of an emphasis on children having more choices in terms of identity rather than the boxed-in notions of what it means to be a boy or girl?"
Leah, I didn't totally understand what you meant when you said "more important for children to be raised in a more gender specific way" but then proceeded to say children need a range of things to play with? "More gender specific" means to me more like a traditional, stereotypical boy or girl -- is that what you meant?