Kids and Gender Identity: a follow up!

Since I blogged about kids and gender in my previous post, I came across an article online that discusses some recent research in the US that I think is worth sharing and provides an opportunity to follow up.

The article entitled “Men are stuck in gender roles, data suggests” focuses on various research including this from two years ago:

a Global Toy Experts survey found that more than half of mothers wouldn’t give a doll to someone else’s son, while only 32% said the same about giving cars or trucks to a girl.

Why?

Well it seems “If girls call themselves tomboys, it’s with a sense of pride … but boys make fun of other boys if they step just a little outside the rigid masculine stereotype.” (Prof. Risman of University of Illinois)

 

And why is this?  Well Prof. Rosky of the University of Utah claims that “Masculinity is valued more than femininity” “So there’s less worry about girls than about boys.”

This therefore suggests that the Western world places greater emphasis upon socially constructed masculinity than femininity.

Gender stereotypes do seem to have loosened: “The Global Toy Experts survey found that most mothers would let their own sons play with dolls and dress-up sets, even if they shied from buying them for other boys”

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-one-way-gender-revolution-20131227%2C0%2C7169949.story#axzz2t1gb1nnt

Children, Gender and Life Choices

Does early role socialisation have that great an impact on adult roles?

As someone educated and versed in Sociological thinking, I am all too familiar with the abundance of arguments centred around the issue of gender role socialisation; something that first pricked my interest via the works of Oakley many moons ago.  For those not familiar with this work, the basic premise centres around children being socialised into their gender roles via the family in 4 ways: manipulation, canalisation (channelling), verbal appellations, and different activities.

So when it came to being a new father a few years back, I tried to enter my relationship with my newborn with some sense of objectivity when it came toys, language used and clothing etc. What I aimed for was balance as opposed to simply following social convention of pink, sparkly and dainty.

However, the objection to this from those involved in my child’s life was somewhat disheartening.  In fact, the reason I’m blogging this topic is because of the disdain received by some adults recently who all seem to say the same thing:

“I played with/ My child plays with (insert some form of gender stereotypical toy / clothing / popular Disney character) and it’s not harmed me / harmed them!”

Thankfully I’m thick skinned!

But see the thing with those close to my offspring and I imagine the majority of people, is that particular ‘gender based bias‘ in toys etc. have become culturally normalised so that when someone is bold enough to make some form of stand against the reinforcement of gender identity within the lives of our young, we / they are met with derision.  Thankfully for me I have the skin of a rhino!

Anyway, giving me at least some crumb of comfort, it was reported on the BBC web last week that education minister Elizabeth Truss warns that children’s toys could affect their later adult careers by claiming gender specific toys risked turning girls off science and maths. Unfortunately she then verged on social  engineering by urging parents to buy their little girls Lego to encourage them to be engineers!

NO! Bad Parenting

YES! Good Parenting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The article quotes ONS statistics that claim there are still overwhelming gender divides in some professions. Just over 80% of “science, research, engineering and technology professionals” are male, whereas in contrast, 82% of workers in “caring, leisure and other services”, and 78% of administrative and secretarial workers are female.

So is there something in this? Possibly.  The impact of Gender bias in children’s lives cannot be ignored.  However, it does raise one very important factor and the very thing that makes us human: the freedom of choice. The choice to be what we want to be whether that fits into a conveniently labelled gendered identity. If we accept the path of gender role reinforcement, do we deny ourselves the freedom to choose?

Maybe the females cited in the stats above choose to be in these fields, maybe out of necessity even.

But here is a twist and one in the eye for capitalism.  It’s reported today (BBC again) that by targeting children with gender specific products is actually damaging our economy!

SO…to all you out there who are quick to shout down the likes of me, those of you who think there is no harm in buying little boys and girls gender specific stuff, just remember this.

YOU are bringing the downfall of capitalism! 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25857895

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26064302

Baby Born ‘Mummy Pick Me Up’ – reinforcing gender roles?

If you watch C5 Milkshake in the mornings, you’ll notice an abundance of powerful adverts. Why powerful? Because of the messages they contain!
This advert for a new doll may seem innocent enough on the surface but, as Sociology students you need to look deeper. What messages does it send? Little girls being called “Mamma” and appearing to relish in the event.

Oakley produced some significant work (and much more has followed since) that examined how gender identity is created and reinforced through the toys we are presented with in our early years. Nevertheless there is psychological studies using monkeys and toys, that suggests gender ID and choice of toy is not a social construct, rather innate.

Based on your own experiences, what do you think?