Stereotypes and Kids

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So, do you think today's kid is more or less influenced by stereotyping toys than the less-informed kid of the past? Barbie, GI Joe - et al.

-- Catherine (catherine@cmjcom.com), October 15, 1999

Answers

I actually tend to think they're more influenced - there's more coming at them. Television, pre-movie advertising, magazines, the Internet - etc. - but the offsetting factor seems to be a lower social tolerance for that sort of stereotyping - more non traditional men and women visible in the world.

-- Catherine (catherine@cmjcom.com), October 15, 1999.

tess- I definitely think a girl can be strong and empowered and wear barbie tennis shoes. I don't think of myself as anything "less" as a woman and I love all the girly stuff (sometimes).

Hell, she's got you for a Mom - what else could she be? (hugs) Catherine

-- Catherine (catherine@cmjcom.com), October 17, 1999.


I really can't notice that much difference. Brian, at least played with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, all the "boy toys" and despised Barbie. Eric likes "girl" dolls, but he likes the "boy" toys too, but he's kind of a special case. Brian says the division is just as sharp as ever on MOST boys, and MOST girls, with a few straying to the other (he knows some girls who prefer action figures) in each. --Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), October 15, 1999.

Hmm.

I think on the kids it is exactly the same. I think that the toy manufacturers and the media and the whole conglomeration of Kid-dom push stereotype as much as ever. (As an example, take a look at Disney. Still the ugly bad witch/perpetrator, the beautiful thin long-haired maiden/victim, the stunningly handsome, well-built prince/rescuer.)

I think that in parents, it might be a little more balanced. At least, I'd like to think that.

At the same time, I think that we're a little dependent on the stereotypes for happy childhoods. We want to think that the beautiful survive, that we can be a princess in flowing pink robes, that the man of our dreams is out there waiting for us.

And I know (logically) that this is a terrible thing. My feminist side cringes in the face of such things. But emotionally, I look at my daughter and i want her to have her dreams. I want her to be a little child -- a little GIRL -- for as long as she can.

it's an ugly world. I've lived it, and she's going to live it as a result of knowing me.

What I'd like is to find her empowerment, her self-esteem, and her dreams all in harmony with each other. I'd like her to be a strong, creative intelligent little girl ... uhh ... wearing Barbie tennis shoes?

on the other hand, may

-- tesserae (angelicsprite@lunchpail.com), October 15, 1999.


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