The Gender Games: May the Toys be ever in your Favor

Let the Gender Games begin!

In the world we are living in, it is common to see gender stereotypes. It is present in how we live our lives, whether it be from the clothes we wear, the type of car we drive, the type of job we do, or even to the genre of movie we pick in Netflix. It is so widespread that we do these gender biases unconsciously. However, one might question, are these gender based choices encoded in our genes? Just consider how little kids experience a typical gender preference when it comes to picking up a toy. We all have seen this scenario, a boy playing with a toy truck and a girl playing with a doll. This seems pretty normal, right? But are you really aware of what really is happening to the young minds of these little kids? 

Robert Starr wrote on his news article "Science Scene: Babies and their toys shed light on Gender differences" a research based information about gender toy preference. He argued that from infant studies, boys do prefer a toy truck while girls pick a doll as their go to toy. Interestingly, he also concur that there is a research supporting the fact that the younger baby boys actually prefer the doll, which is considered as a girl toy. Many guys may be cringing right now, but these are research data that can provide insights to whether toy preference is written in the DNA or constructed by the society. 

A boy and a girl playing dolls

So, which is the culprit in the so called gender preference when it comes to choosing a favorite toy? It all boils down to the good old debate: nature versus nurture. Lise Eliot, a neuroscientist, talked about the battle of genders in her book, Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow into Troublesome Gaps -- and What We Can Do About It. With her expertise backed up with numerous published research from other scientists, she tackled the gender wars in such great detail. To make the long story short, she argued that "gender difference in toy preference" is actually not on the nature side, but rather, it is definitely nurture that makes these sex based biases. Do you ever think parents would buy their son a collection of disney princess dolls? Or give their little girl a set of hot wheels? It is very unlikely that someone would response a resounding yes on these two questions. As Eliot pointed out, it is the due to the parents as to why such preferences are built on the young minds of children. But how about the fact that boys prefer dolls as well as girls do? From one study of 6-month olds, Eliot concurred that both genders preferred the doll. Her explanation is that, at an early age, "infants instinctively prefer the human face over inanimate stimuli." This makes sense because one would argue that seeing human-like characteristics to dolls would be more appealing to the little ones. But as Eliot also stated, boys will be more likely to prefer toy trucks as they get older due to their increase in activity level. They will become more interested in moving objects like cars and trucks to compensate with their heightened physical demands.

On the end note, gender differences seem to be inevitable. Even with the young boys and girls, it is very likely for them to be taught with the "preferred" toy they should be playing. I guess on this gender games, the toys are not in their favor because it is already set by the society. Just like association of colors where pink is for girls and blue is for boys, toys are indeed gender based. However, Eliot advices parents that "gender-neutral playthings" like art supplies, board games, and legos can be great go to toys for either boys and girls. Why? Eliot argued that "such playthings will at least broaden their gender categories and, more important, help them develop a wider range of skills during these crucial brain-building years."

When it comes to toys, as simple as the task may be, it is safe to say: choose wisely.
Who knows, the toys they play today will shine light to a bright future someday.

References:

Eliot, Lise. Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow into Troublesome Gaps--and What We Can Do about It. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009. Print

Starr, Robert. "Science Scene: Babies and Their Toys Shed Light on Gender Differences." The Daily Texan. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2014/01/30/science-scene-babies-and-their-toys-shed-light-on-gender-differences>

Photo credit: <http://www.medicaldaily.com/boys-favor-playing-dolls-more-trucks-researchers-find-male-babies-gaze-longer-objects-faces-265829>