Top Op-Ed Reflection

Although there were some conflicting views during seminar, it seemed as though there was a general
conclusion that toys should be made all inclusive rather than segregated by gender. Toys were meant to be
played with and therefore I don't believe children should be pressured into playing with “correct” toys based solely
by their gender. I think children often feel shamed or peer pressured into playing with toys that “conform” to their
gender. For example, a boy would be expected to play with toy cars and trains while a girl would be expected to
play with barbies and baby dolls. If these children were to switch and play with toys of the “opposite sex”, they
would most likely be judged or at least commented on by others. That is to say, like we talked about in seminar,
it’s much more accepted for a girl to be playing with “boy toys” over a boy playing with “girl toys”. I think this is the
case because masculinity is still favorited above femininity. So a girl that acts more masculine is more likely to be
accepted than a boy who acts more feminine. Toys that are meant for boys tend to be on the more aggressive
side. These toys include things such as toy guns, sports toys and shooter video games. Toys made for girls tend
to be more centered around cooking, cleaning or nurturing. Some of these include easy bake ovens, playhouses
and dolls. It could definitely be argued that this is a way of pushing old gender norms onto children like the
assumption that girls should cook and clean while boys do any labor or work.

In conclusion, I believe toys should be made more gender neutral and inclusive by incorporating both
genders in any ads or photos promoting the toy. It would also help to avoid having girl and boy sections in the
toy aisles and simply making it a kids section.