One of the most perplexing and arguable theories is unquestionably the one that lies behind gender-specific capability and playthings. This is largely believed to be a result of us mortals having forgotten that God made all human beings – the male and the female – as absolute equals of each other – Adam & Eve. If anything, God made two genders to complement each other, not to restrain or inflict a bunch of policies that, upon failure to follow, we can expect nothing but severe backlash from the social order.
However, society wasted little time in imposing a multitude of rules on each gender, rules unsupported by either religion or science. It’s a disheartening world to grow up in when figures of authority, like our parents or teachers, constantly intrude into our personal spaces with statements like, “Girls/Boys shouldn’t play with that or do this or that.” In the real world, such words can fracture a child’s inner self, as they grow up embracing these nonsensical gender-specific beliefs.
Keep in mind, toys in their essence, are not inherently gendered; your child should have the freedom to play with whatever they desire. Toys are meant to provide joy and excitement in play, and should not be burdened with shame or stigma. Parents bear the responsibility of nurturing their children’s interests and preferences rather than suppressing them. So, if your son expresses a desire to play with a doll, rather than reinforcing gendered stereotypes, you could pleasantly surprise him by placing an order at a toy store that offers fast, free delivery across the United States or wherever else you live. This small gesture could go a long way in making your child feel loved and secure as an individual.
Hello Gender-Neutral Beliefs!
One of the most evident signs that the world has, in fact, progressed, is the fact that there are plenty of gender-neutral beliefs that apply very well to real life situations. The modern girl’s toys are no longer just toys that are played by girls alone, and vice versa.
As the world increasingly adopts and advances positive gender-neutral toys and sports, we can anticipate that the children of the future will have an easier time discovering their true selves and feeling comfortable in their own identities. So, the next time you’re planning to purchase baby gifts for new parents, consider opting for gender-neutral toys that can aid in the toddler’s development.
Do Gender-Specific Toys Stump Childhood Development?
On a lighter note, many manufacturers believe in the fact that toys for girls and toys for boys cannot be the same – girls play with dolls and boys play with cars. But, is this really true? Is this really how girls and boys play, or is it just society telling us that this is what we should do? Do girls really have no interest in cars and boys have no interest in dolls? Should we really laugh at such a matter or accept it? Does this stump childhood development?
Indeed, it does. Psychologists have concluded studies that confirm the belief that when you restrict something to one gender, it can result in them feeling guilty for wanting to do something else. For instance, shaming a little boy for wanting to play with dolls will make him feel awful about it. But thankfully, parents and teachers have begun to see beyond these gender-specific roles.
Well, the 21st generation is definitely nothing like the olden times. Much to the surprise of people who prefer the older system, the differences are largely accepted now. Gone are the days when boys were constricted to one thing and girls to one. It is a positive change, indeed!
You must be logged in to post a comment.