Gender Stereotypes In Toys

Development of kids is directly impacted by gender stereotypes in toys. Toys can help children develop certain skills and functions. Play helps kids learn how to solve problems, get along with others, and develop motor skills (“Children”). Toys can help kids develop physical skills, cognitive concepts, language skills, and social skills (“Children”). Gender stereotypes negatively impact a child’s development. By closing the door on kids playing with a variety of toys, we deny them the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills (“Toys”). From ages zero to seven kids soak up everything around them “like a sponge,” this time is known as the Imprint Period (“Teenager”). During the Imprint period, the "neural network for how to do things

Gender stereotypes in toys makes it so that each gender misses out on developing certain skills. When girls aren't offered toys for constructing they miss out on the opportunity to develop spatial skills, and this is when girls obtain the idea that technical subjects aren't for them (“Toys”). Toys that are viewed as boy toys also help to develop large motor skills, and since large motor skills are not promoted in “girl” toys, girls fail to develop them (Robb). Building blocks, which are considered boy toys, help boys develop skills that will help with math later on in life (Oksman). When girls are not offered these toys, they do not develop these skills, which can hurt them in their future. Boys are equally hurt by gender stereotypes in toys. Boys miss out on developing fine motor skills, social skills, and language development, which “girl” toys help develop (Robb). Dolls are toys they are largely viewed as strictly for girls. When boys are told not to play with dolls, they lose the chance to develop nurturing abilities. Dolls also help girls understand empathy and how to care for others, which no “boy” toys help boys learn. Pretend kitchens, also “girl” toys, help kids develop cognitive sequencing events, and boys don’t get the opportunity to develop

Gender stereotypes in toys cause kids to develop depression. Kids are constantly told what toys they can and can't have. When a child wants a toy that's "not for their gender" they are bullied, or told a harsh no by their parents. By living in this negative, stressful, and unhappy environment, kids can become depressed (“People”). When kids are seen playing with toys outside the normal stereotypes, they are an easy targets for bullying. Kids who are bullied have a higher chance of developing depression and anxiety, which can lead to a lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed (“Effects”). When kids become depressed, they change their interests, and conform to gender stereotypes. In North Carolina, an eleven year old attempted suicide because, "I am so tired of people at school calling me gay because I like My Little Pony”