The Sexualization of Early Childhood
Sexualization of young children
can be viewed in two ways.
Because children are exploring
and learning about one another, they can experience Sexualization in the form
of noticing the difference between each other and attempting to talk about it,
and by learning that there are toys that are geared towards girls and towards boys.
In earlier years’ parents and teachers encouraged gender bias towards toys by
insisting that boys only play with the toys that are designed for males; such
as, trucks, cars, boats, fishing equipment, all sports balls etc. Equally,
girls would only be allowed to play with toys designed for girls; such as,
dolls and doll houses, tea cups and dishes, dresses and high heal shoes and
several domestic occupations. But today most teachers are open towards children
focusing on play, all play, and with all toys as both genders play together. However,
most parents today usually practice and prefer their child to play with toys
designed for their gender.
In my opinion, I believe that all
children should explore playing with all toys. They should be allowed to learn
of the traditional roles of boys and girls, and should not be rehearsed or
trained to desire one type of toy to another just because they are a boy, or a
girl.
In addition, the media and our
society seem to still operate by the classic traditions of toys for boys, and
girls with a few electronical toys, or computers that are geared towards both
groups.
Educators understand the benefits
for allowing young children to experience all forms of play. Therefore, Teachers
can help children have a full experience of play of all toys as they aid them,
and guide them towards a healthy development.
Darlene,
ReplyDeleteYou made an excellent point about toys and if they are traditionally meant for boys or traditionally meant for girls. I agree and think that a boy or girl should be able to play with whatever toy their heart desires. When I worked a McDonald’s a long time ago… We use to ask for happy meals if you wanted a boy toy or a girl toy. It was not until after I had been there a few years and we had entered the 2000’s that we stopped asking boy or girl toy and named what that toy was. I have still overheard employees while I am there asking for a boy or girl toy and it needs to stop all around. Boys and girls should be able to play and interact with whatever toys and materials they wish. They are only exploring their world and they need to do so.
Darlene,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agree that children should be allowed to play with any type of toy, regardless of the gender type it is assumed for. Debi's comment made me think that just this past Friday, I ordered a kids meal for my son at McDonald's and they asked me for a boy or girl. After getting home and looking in the bag, it was a "Pete the Cat" book about Valentines Day. It made me wonder if my son got this book, what do girls get? I am an open minded person and believe children play with toys because it looks fun or interesting. It is the adults that label them negative if a boy plays with a doll or a girl plays with a basketball. My godson, who is also one, was playing with my friend's high heel shoe and was torn between letting him play with it or taking it away. My godson was hitting on the shoe and making noises with it, but my friend's husband did not want him playing with a heel period. The old misconceptions of boys can only play with this and girls can only play with that are far too outdated and limit the exploration of children.
Junell
Darlene,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the media has not changed their view when advertising toys on television. Cars and super heroes show boys playing with the toys in the commercials while girls are shown with jewelry and make-up. As teachers, we try and break this stereotyping but the media is a big influence on children and they are learning these ideas from what they see on television. Great post.
Mary