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Home › Articles › Behavior › Gender-specific Toys

Gender-specific Toys

Do Toys Influence the Way Children Play?

By Sue Pormeba

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Elisa Taub of Encino, Calif., agrees. "When my son was little, all he wanted was princess toys like his older sister had," Taub says. "No interest in trains or cars. I had no problem with this. I always want my children to feel that their family supported who they were."

Crossing the Gender Barrier
For parents who want their child to play with toys meant for the opposite sex, Joan Bramsch, founder of EmpoweredParent.com, says the best ones can be found in the kitchen. "For a little child, a parent begins by providing pots, pans, plastic containers, empty oatmeal boxes, wooden and plastic spoons and turners," she says. "Since many toys mimic real-life jobs, let the parent share these chores with the child, and eventually they will discover the child's interests. Then buy a toy that complements those interests."

There are also dozens of gender-neutral toys that encourage creativity and interactive play. Toys like puzzles, coloring books or chalkboards, games and blocks are favorites for many children. An empty appliance box probably provides more entertainment for most toddlers than any store-bought toy.

"I feel that every child has talents, gifts and a purpose of his or her own," Dr. Panaccione says. "The more they can explore, the more likely they are to figure out who they were meant to become."

Gender-specific Toys and Obesity: Is There a Connection?

Gender-specific toys often dictate where a child plays, says Dr. Linda Lindsay, professor of sociology at Maryville University. "Girls are given toys that encourage indoor play, while boys get toys that encourage outdoor play," she says. Boys are more likely to be given balls, riding toys and games to be played outdoors, while girls get dolls and doll accessories.

Dr. Lindsay says as obesity in children continues to be a health concern, girls and boys should be given toys that get them outside and active.


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