Toy Op-ed Reflection - Sutton Walsh


Gender-neutral toys are crucial to the improvement, imagination, and future of our world. Young children bear an enormous amount of pressure to please others and fit in with society. The way we chose to express ourselves throughout our whole lives could lie on the simplest things, including what toys we played with when we were younger.

Most stores I walk into, there is an aisle full of Barbies, makeup-sets, Hello Kitty and princesses. The next aisle is then full of action figures, legos, superheroes, and sporty games. Occasional, some aisles have gender neutral toys that advertise boys and girls playing together, both doing something that makes them happy. Kids should be given the opportunity to play with a variety of toys and their interests should not be reprimanded or made fun of by peers or parents. In fact, parents play a huge role in what toys their children play with. After all, they are the ones paying for them. 

In our IHSS discussion, we got to share what toys we played with when we were younger. We also talked about what the difference was if a boy played with a girls toy compared to a girl playing with a boys toy. After some deep conversation, we concluded that it seems like the girl is "cool" or a "tomboy" if she plays with transformers, bay-blades, or trucks. On the other hand, a boy can be called "gay" or "weird" if he enjoys playing with dolls, cooking, or pink and purple things. The rude comments people tell us when we are little, can stick with us throughout our entire lives. However, this provides us with the opportunity to express the need for gender neutral toys.

How others express their thoughts on toys relates to the sociological theory of conflict. Tied to the work of Karl Marx, the Conflict Theory discusses social change and focuses on inequality. I think this toy situation is unequal because, if kids feel obliged to play with toys that fit their gender stereotypes, they are not getting the equal change to play with what actually interests them or what makes them happy. 

Although what toys you play with when you are little seems like such a small factor in life, it is important to recognize the role it plays as we decide how we want to express ourselves. Toy manufacturers are beginning to realize this cultural shift and, most, are adapting appropriately by changing the style of ads and the color of the product. These gender-neutral toys are key to experiencing true happiness, having confidence in what you love, and changing our society and world for the better.

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