While watching television I happen to see a new Fisher Price toy
being advertised. This new toy is called Smart Fit Park. What really
bothers me about this ad is that the girl is playing in the park either
jumping rope, playing hop scotch or running around with the
characters. Then in the second part of the ad the boy gets a turn.
Now when the boy has a turn the activities change. The major issue to me
is that the sports are not advertised with a girl ? Why can't the boy play
with the jump rope or hop scotch and the girl play with the bat and
tennis racket ?
The socialization of boys and girls is very different. When girls
are brought home from the hospital many parents refer to them as a
precious princesses. They treat their daughter as delicate and fragile. On
the other hand, when a boy is brought home, it doesn’t take long before
the parents, and especially the father, are showing people how strong
their boy is. Often before the baby can hold up his head, he is
identified as the future quarterback while the little girl is sporting
an infant cheerleader outfit. It is also common for rough housing to
start with young boys, while girls are not encouraged in the same ways
to be physical. It comes as no surprise that the gender expectations put on a
child affect other arenas in their life, such as
school. The input and influence from the media and society, but most
importantly from the parents can begin this divide even before the
child says his or her first words. The impact can be profound.
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