As we have learned in Module 5, gender roles are learned through reinforcement, punishment, observation, and imitation. Gender is but only a socially constructed phenomena that is learned. Gender is most always pushed on to people starting the day they are born. As kids grow up they are constantly being steered into a certain gender roll and taught either how to be a girl or a boy. One of these big influences on children are the toys that they play with. For example, when you think of boys toys you think of things such as Hotwheels, Legos, and Action Figures. When thinking about girls toys you generally think of Bratz dolls, Easy Bake Ovens, and toy vacuums. At a very early age all of these toys are teaching these children what girls are supposed to do and what boys are supposed to do. “Children quickly develop strong gender schemas cognitive associations of different attributes, behaviors, objects, or social practices with male and female” (Rudman). What this means is that every behavior you have is taught and learned through things such as family, media, and other entertainment.
I chose to use my family friend’s youngest daughter, Ally, who is 3 years old and of course at this age, very impressionable. Before the picture was taken, all I told her to do was to grab her most favorite toys that she has for a “photoshoot”. The toys that she went and picked out were not surprising. In the picture she is wearing all things Minnie Mouse. Her shoes, her shirt, and her purse. Also, she is carrying a toy cell phone. By telling her to get her favorite toys for a “photoshoot” allows her to have the freedom to express the things that she is already into as a 3-year-old. It is evident that she is already into very girly and feminine things. When taking the photo I made sure that she was in the center because she is the main focus and to also get all of what she has on including her shoes. I waited until she was down by the step to take the picture to capture how she is being very careful that she doesn’t hurt herself. She is 3 years old and this is natural but most likely boys would have just jumped down the step by now not worried about injury.
Works Cited
Rudman, Laurie A., et al. "The Two Cultures of Childhood." The Social Psychology of Gender: How Power and Intimacy Shape Gender Relations. The Guilford Press, 2015, 59-63.
2 comments:
I love how in the image you captured it looks as if someone forced those items in her hand. That being said you did a great job of capturing the exact point you were going for. This young child, barley able to walk is being reinforced with different items that would be seen as feminine. She is holding a purse even though she is maybe three. The fact that she gravitated towards bringing you her purse when you said, “go and grab your favorite toys”, shows how little girls, and children in general mimic society, and it reflects back on them as they grow up.
From: Destyni.
This photo is adorable. I love that you gave her the freedom to choose what she wanted to use for the “photoshoot” and that she ended up choosing things that all match (aside from her “cellphone”). That’s another thing that I’ve noticed with boys and girls. Girls tend to match more and are more considerate of what they’re wearing and how it looks. Or at least they’re taught to and in your case sometimes do it on their own. Boys usually don’t care and just put on anything that fits. Matching clothes isn’t something they’re wasting valuable play time on. Even though her face is only partly shown, you can tell she’s having a good time and is very happy with all her choices. She’s just a little girl playing with her favorite things, and I think that could also be a part of your main focus with her being in the center. Not only the child being the main element but what she’s using and how it makes her feel. Yes, she is only three but she’s capable of choosing what she does and doesn’t like, and what makes her happy. Another thing girls are more concerned about is safety and I’m so happy that you included that! It’s clear that she’s happy and excited but still taking careful steps and just like you said, a boy would’ve just jumped. My favorite part of this photo is that you kept everything bright and colorful, it adds to the feeling of overall happiness that your picture gives off.
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