Toys for Tots

from: Cassidy

Based on studies, it is true that the socialization of gender is directed even at the youngest of ages. In the photo, a girl has a Care Bear and a boy has a skateboard. Both pictures were taken on their birthday. What does this say? It says that children have no say in what they play with because if you think about it, even if a child asked for certain toys, it's because, most likely, he/she has seen someone like them playing with it; i.e., older girls wearing makeup, older boys playing sports, etc.. Children are conditioned to think that something is right simply because it's "normal". Unfortunately, the normalcy of this photo shows that boys shouldn't play with stuffed animals and girls shouldn't ride skateboards, but why not? Who says they can't? Society tells you, you cant, thus your parents teach you, you can't. But you can't blame the parents because they were conditioned in the same fashion, and when it comes down to it, you teach what you know. Clothes, hairstyles, and colors are also labeled to be girl/boy. Even what they wear is a clear indication that children do not have a choice in their appearance. A child that young has no concept of ponytails or crew cuts, they don't know that purple is for girls, they don't know that cut off t-shirts are for boys. In this picture, what they wear doesn't really matter to them, they are just happy they are getting new toys. The little girl did not do her hair in that fashion and the little boy did not pick out his outfit, their parents did. Life is a vicious circle. You can fit in and be happy, but in turn, perpetuate the cycle of gender socialization, or you don't fit it in, and become a social outcast. Not the best choice if you ask me. What does this picture say about society? It says that as long as people are outcast for being different in terms of race, sexual orientation, masculinity/femininity, class, gender, etc., socialization will always be present; furthermore, because of this, children will continue to play with toys or dress a certain way because that's what they "think" they should be doing. Because of this cycle, children will always be forced to make choices they shouldn't have to, and instead of worrying about Popsicle flavors, they worry more about fitting in and not being made fun of. Even if parents, on some level, understand the importance of fitting into society standards, we must teach our children to embrace peoples differences rather then exploit them, we must teach our children that normalcy will never encourage progressive thinking and societal change, and that they themselves can help break down these social generalizations, but they must be taught that it starts with them. Breaking down gender socializations, as parents, is the first step.