Are Gender Specific Roles taught to Children Through Toys?.
Some people might argue that certain children play with such as Barbies or G.I. Joe men influence gender specific roles in kids. Toys are meant to nurture kids imaginations and allow them to keep busy and at the same time have fun. In my opinion I don't think toys influence these gender specific roles in children. Although I can see how some kids may see these toys as role models. I don't feel as though a toy could have that kind of psychological effect on children. .
For the most part toys are targeted for specific genders. For example, have you ever watched a commercial for a Barbie? Take notice next time that there are only little girls in the commercial smiling and playing with the Barbies. Now watch a commercial for G.I. Joe, Notice that there are only little boys in the commercial playing with the G.I. Joe's. The marketers are targeting specific genders. What are these children supposed to think. Not too often would a little girl bother her mother to get her a G.I. Joe man after watching an all guy G.I. Joe commercial. .
When I was younger I will admit I thought Barbie was beautiful and Im sure little boys noticed G.I. Joe's attractive face and bulging biceps. I don't feel as though many children were influenced by the dolls and action figures to feel as though they needed to be beautiful and fashionable. I don't feel as though video games teach boys to be competitive and aggressive. People who I looked up to were the ones that influenced me to dress they way I do or take care of myself the way I do. These role models were actual people like my cousins or neighbors that were older than me that I would follow around and try to be like. My cousins were both young and modern. For hours my sister and I would let them braid our hair and put makeup on us. I would always feel older and cooler when i hung out with them and their friends.