Exploring Children’s Toys
Question: How does marketing reinforce gender stereotypes through children’s toys?
1. Visit a big box store website (e.g., Target or Walmart) or the children’s section of a department store, or you may go to a website (e.g., www.toysrus.com). Be sure that the store has a decent number of toys so for you to make a comparison. Please state what store's website you looked at for the activity and provide links to all of the toys you described.
2. Take notes on 2 toys or games marketed to boys and 2 toys or games marketed to girls. Can you tell which are the girls’ toys and which are the boys’ toys? If so, how? Pay attention to the location in the website, packaging, color, and nature of the toy. How are the toys different? How are the toys similar? Try to find 2 gender neutral toys and compare them to the gender stereotypical toys. Where in the store's website are they located? Are they labeled as gender neutral? Are there any differences in the way they are marketed?
3. For your assignment, you will write a 2 - 3 page narrative about what you observed. Make sure to start with an introduction that includes the date, the link to the store's website that you "visited." Based on your notes, address the questions in #2 above. Remember I can not see what you see, so please provide enough detail to be clear. As stated in the grading rubric, write your activity in complete sentences with transitions, using appropriate sentence and
Sample Solution
How Marketing Reinforces Gender Stereotypes Through Children's Toys Gender stereotypes are a set of beliefs about what is appropriate for boys and girls. These stereotypes can be harmful because they limit children's opportunities and can lead to discrimination. One way that gender stereotypes are perpetuated is through marketing. Toys are often marketed in a way that reinforces gender stereotypes. For example, boys' toys are often marketed as being active and adventurous, while girls' toys are often marketed as being nurturing and domestic.Full Answer Section
The impact of gender stereotypes on children Gender stereotypes can have a significant impact on children. They can limit children's opportunities and can lead to discrimination. For example, a girl who is interested in playing with trucks may be discouraged from doing so because it is not considered to be a "girly" activity. This can lead her to believe that she is not good at playing with trucks or that she is not supposed to be interested in them. Gender stereotypes can also lead to discrimination. For example, a boy who is interested in playing with dolls may be teased or bullied by other children. This can make him feel ashamed of his interests and can make it difficult for him to express himself. How to challenge gender stereotypes in toy marketing There are a number of things that can be done to challenge gender stereotypes in toy marketing. Here are a few suggestions:- Parents can choose toys that do not conform to gender stereotypes. For example, parents can choose building sets for girls and dolls for boys. This can help children to see that there is no right or wrong way to play with toys.
- Toy companies can market toys in a more gender-neutral way. For example, toy companies can use gender-neutral colors and characters. They can also avoid using gender-specific language in their marketing materials.
- Consumers can contact toy companies and ask them to change their marketing practices. This can help to send a message to toy companies that consumers are not interested in gender-stereotyped marketing.