Boys and Girls Toys

Sex, Gender, and Sexuality are terms that are often mixed up and used interchangeably to describe a person. These three words, though, do not have the same meaning. In fact, most people don’t actually know the difference between what these three words even mean. Most people like create specific categories to define people and their “specific” sexes, genders, and sexualities. I believe that rather than specific categories, there should be more of a spectrum.

At a young age we learn these “categories” and define what it means to be a male and to be a female. The ideas of what items are defined as masculine and what is feminine are distinctly divided. There are so many products these days that are designed to be directed specifically to one sex, whether colors, toys, or sports many things are obviously “gender specific”.

In many stores there are even different sections set up specifically for each gender.

Growing up with an older brother I spent much of my time shopping in the “boy” section. I hardly had any “girl” toys. I much rather preferred video games, Pokémon cards, and action figures to Barbie’s, stuffed animals and play dresses. I was more than happy to share toys with my older brother, and even preferred it so that we could then always play together.

At that age I never even thought about how specific toys were “boy” toys, even though the aisle were clever arranged so that all the boys stuff was together in one aisle, while the girls’ toys were in the other. Some toys even have a specific boy version and a girl version. Such as dolls/action figures. Both are basically the same thing, except that one is more acceptable for a certain sec than the other. Action figures are specifically for boys, generally being an army man or a superhero and seem to have some type of weapon. While doll, specifically Barbie’s, have dozens of dresses, shoes and even matching houses. These toys play on the specific stereotype of a masculine boy likes and a feminine girl likes.

Looking at me now, one would not guess that as a child I preferred boy toys to girl toys. I am quite girly, and take advantage of every opportunity to get dressed up. But as a child I couldn't resist a change to get muddy or spend an entire rainy day playing video games, though I still did dress in pink every day. Even now, that action figure is more of an appealing toy to me than the Barbie.

Many children are defined by which toys they take interest in. For me, being a girl it seemed okay to play with boys toys. While for many boys the opposite doesn't seem true. Tomboys seem to be much more greatly accepted, while "feminine" boys seems to be more disapproved of.