Characteristics of Boys and Girls Toys Blackemore and Centers Review

Research proposal

Enquiry questions

The research topic is "How contemporary toys enforce gender stereotypes in the U.k.." The key research question is: Practise toys reflect onetime stereotypes in gender?. The minor inquiry questions include: How practice toys represent their subjects in terms of gender?, In what means are these representations symptomatic of existent life?, Do those representations atomic number 82 to stereotypes in adult life?.

Argument of methods

The research methodology implies the employ of quantitative methods, particularly cross-sections surveys. For the survey four toys take been chosen – ii for boys and two for girls. The surveys contain questions about these toys, their appearances, as well every bit gender-related questions.

The study bounds on the answers of fifteen girls at historic period viii-eleven and fifteen boys at similar age category. The survey is based on questionnaires that were specifically developed for this research. The questionnaires contained predominantly multiple-choice questions, several open-ended questions, and some general questions. The toys represented various functions that are traditionally assigned to women and men in society.

Children's parents also took in survey to define the degree of gender representation in the toys chosen for the experiment. The toys should exist scaled as female person oriented (scale from 1-4), gender neutral (5 points), and male oriented (from half-dozen to 9 points). In this study, 18 couples (9 fathers and 9 mothers) agreed to participate in the research analysis of their choices in ownership toys for their children. Children also had to go through interviews were recorded by the research participants. The interviews were conducted in the presence of their parents.

Data collection volition involve a three footstep process in which four toys from Tesco will be selected. Two must account for either of the genders. Thereafter, the researcher will analyze the items on the ground of dominant signs or representations. Sure patterns on gender volition be identified from the signs and these will be structured in accordance with semiotic ideas. Finally, the patterns will be related to the inquiry questions and similarities plant.

Research Paper

Introduction

The research topic is "How contemporary toys enforce gender stereotypes in the UK." Scholars have argued that a semiotic relationship exists in toys and this perpetuates gender stereotypes. Girls and boys learn about society'southward expectations about their gender from what they interact with, and toys are i such case. Therefore, the key research question is: Exercise toys reverberate one-time stereotypes in gender? The minor research questions include: How practise toys represent their subjects in terms of gender?, In what ways are these representations symptomatic of existent life?, Do those representations lead to stereotypes?. The research will utilize semiotic content analysis to answer the enquiry questions.

Literature review

Toys are an important semiotic resource in that they illustrate social identities and social roles. Therefore, an analysis of their representation is critical in determining social relationships. This research is particularly interested in gender representations. Leeuwe explains that dolls create certain roles amid their users.

They are interactive in nature; consequently, their kinesthetic designs volition decide the role that a child will take on when playing with them. For instance, a teddy bear has lots of fur in club to encourage the child to cuddle it. Alternatively, a spider human toy may accept provisions for sticking on walls. Therefore, the kinesthetic blueprint of a doll will determine how a child will interact with it. With time, children will learn about societal rules and what they can or cannot do with their toys.^[one]

A toy has an identity depending on its physical features. The color of the toy, its anatomical features, the build, its pare color, hair length and other features all form part of a toy'south identity. These features are unique markers of the child's or manufacturer's culture. For instance, many dolls in western culture accept females with blond hair every bit a measure of what western culture considers conventional.

Finally, toys carry meaning in their pattern and representation. The traits in a toy will provide clues about what they symbolize. For instance, some toys may possess huge muscles or large breasts depending on the significant they desire to convey. Sometimes, their concrete features may take a comic result or they may represent order's expectations almost the toy. Toys are, therefore, useful in engaging in a discourse analysis nigh their social worlds.^[2] Their roles, identities and meanings answer pertinent questions concerning society.

Methodology

The study was premised on the results from the surveys designed for children and parents. To brainstorm with, parents should label the selected toys in relation to gender functions they performed.

The scale that was designed for this written report ranged from1 to 9 points, where female person-related roles were highlighted by points from ane to 4, gender-neutral toys were labeled as 5 and male person-related toys were evaluated from 5 to 9 points. The proposed scales helped to classify the toys in accordance with gender stereotypes and parents' attitude to them.

The parents sample included 18 couples with ix fathers and 9 mothers, who were gathered through mass-mailing and phone calls. The information about electronic postal service address and phone numbers were taken from the database from the schoolhouse in which their children studied.

The average age of parents was about 37.three years. The scale developed for estimating gender ceremoniousness sought to define how parents understood the functions that the toys could perform in children's games (See Appendix ii). The toys were designed for children nether the age from 8 to 11.

In that location were 30 children (15 boys and 15 girls) who also participated in the written report who should define the roles and function that each toy could perform during the play. The cantankerous-sectional survey implied interviewing each child individually to accomplish the accuracy and objectivity of results.

Both parents and children were presented to four toys. Two toys – Baby Annabel Office Doll and Barbie Doggie Water Park – were designed for girls whereas Bob The Architect Construction Tower and Transformers 3 Ultimate Optimus Prime were selected for boys.

Apart from the gender stereotype scale, parents will be presented with the appropriateness calibration that can let them to decide whether these toys are relevant for children to play. This survey relied on the report Campenni who practical to several characteristics, including ceremoniousness of toys for girls and for boys in terms of the roles and functions they perform^[3].

Before parents and children were called for survey analysis, parents were informed nearly the purpose and scope of enquiry and were proposed to participate in the research studies. The explanation was also provided to parent's children who were interviewed in the presence of their parents.

The questionnaire developed for children aims to learn the style they perceived and understood gender roles and functions each toy performs. The questions were composed of open up-ended and general blazon, which contributed to the brownie and validity of the study. The results of the written report were processed to ascertain the main attributes that children assigned to these toys.

Findings

The study utilized semiotic principles in club to identify connotations of gender in 4 types of toys. The researcher selected the toys on the basis of their popularity in Tesco retail chains. For girls' toys, the two items were "Baby Annabel Function Doll" and "Barbie Doggie H2o Park". For boys the 2 items were "Bob The Builder Construction Tower" and "Transformers 3 Ultimate Optimus Prime number"^[4]. Both genders had a atypical toy and a prepare.

Children defined some of the physical attributes of the toys. "Babe Annabell Role Doll" is a likeness of a baby in that it that it has the size and concrete features of a baby. The doll's mouth allows ane to insert a pacifier or a feeding bottle. Additionally, the doll is battery-powered, then it makes noises similar to that of a existent baby when it wakes up.

This works whenever the doll opens its eyes afterward endmost them. Some parts of the doll are made of soft cloth peculiarly on the torso while the hands, and caput are plastic. The doll wears colorful textile and clothes that are like to those of a real child. The colors of choice are white and pinkish.

Conversely, "Barbie Doggie Water Park" is a drove of a Barbie doll walking her dog at a park. The set has iii puppies, a picnic basket and blanket, bones, a dog, a handbag for Barbie a well as some scenes from the park. Barbie looks straight at the buyer and firmly holds the domestic dog's string every bit she moves forth.

She is wearing a colorful pinkish and majestic blouse and a brusk orangish skirt. The doll too has roller skates and knee pads to protect her in case she falls. Barbie as well has long blond hair, and blue optics. Children tin can comb her pilus with a rummage from her bag.

Bob the Builder Construction Tower is a serial of parts that permit children to create a water tower. The parts consist of a serial of staircases, walls, pulleys, wheelbarrows and floors. The kid is supposed to use a pictorial depiction of the completed tower to create the whole particular. Information technology is fabricated up of assuming colors like xanthous and red.

Transformers three Ultimate Optimus Prime is a blackness and scarlet robot from the Transformers series. 'Transformers' is a successful motion picture trilogy that many boys love and relish. Children have the option of reassembling the robot into a vehicle so they can decide how to play with it. The toy makes missile and boxing sounds. It likewise has flowing weapons that are intended on scaring abroad enemies. The transformer looks like an alien owing to its weird antennas, fly-like creatures and its numerous extensions.

Data Analysis

Baby Annabel Role Doll represents women every bit nurturers. A baby naturally requires nurturing; therefore, if a manufacturer is selling such a toy, and then he or she intends on perpetuating that stereotype. Considerable interactions with such types of dolls will prepare children for their future roles as mothers.^[5]

Dissimilar Transformer three, Baby Annabel cannot exist deconstructed. The child playing with this doll cannot exercise her duty as a creator. Instead, she must accept that she is a consumer.

Annabel's set comes with a series of pacifiers, baby bottles and other items. Such a depiction has an adverse implication on what society expects from women equally adults. Most manufacturers make their products for women. Cosmetics, household items, and clothes are largely intended for the female person consumer. Therefore, this doll is preparing the daughter for her role as a consumer in adult life.

Conversely, Transformers three is a stand up-alone toy. It does not come with several other items like pacifiers. Instead, the toy repeats sure noises that mirror the battlefield. Nil about the toy signifies care; the boy who plays tin can have on the role of an activeness effigy in a battle. He has the capacity to defeat his enemies and go a winner.

The toy reflects an outgoing person who does not accept to confine himself to domestic situations. This is reflective of what society expects from boys as they abound older. Additionally, the movements of the toys indicate that the child tin explore and learn virtually new things.^[vi]

Bob the Builder Construction Tower allows the child to pretend to be an engineer or architect. The fact that it is called 'Bob' indicates that it is meant for boys. Clearly, the structure site is a very versatile place for the boy to aspire. The toy proves that manufacturers are offering boys more options than girls. They can call back nearly their futurity professions and relate to them. Bob the Builder is workout boys to become straight participants in the economy when they get older.

On the flipside, Barbie Doggie Water Park has no such professional person roles. Barbie is walking her dog on roller skates. Her physical attributes accentuate her femininity; such as a curvy body and long legs. One cannot assist only notice her physical bewitchery.

The fact that the manufacturers placed a comb in her bag indicates that Barbie must be preoccupied with her appearance. Such a cistron will status Barbie to become conscious about her looks. In the futurity, it is likely that she will seek blessing from others because of this preoccupation with physical attributes.^[seven]

Conclusion

Boys have more options than girls in the world of toys. This conditions them for their future adult roles in which the aforementioned distinctions be. The kinesthetic design of the toys is a sign that signifies power relations among the gender. Annabel the doll is seated while Transformer three is standing with its legs part. Additionally Barbie is preoccupied with her appearance while Bob the Architect is non even on the set. These positions point that girls must care about appeasing others. The stand-solitary nature of Transformer 3 shows that boys should be independent. Information technology is standing with its legs autonomously to demonstrate confidence.^[eight] These are all qualities that lodge expects from men in adulthood. Additionally, the baby who is seating downwards has less control than the Transformer 3 who is ready for set on. Ability relations of command in the male person gender are axiomatic through this kinesthetic design. Boys can alter the transformer into a car or they can construct "Bob the Architect' into something tangible. A lot of rigidity is present in girl'due south toys every bit they can barely move their toys. Girls thus larn that exploration is not a welcome trait. In adult life, it is non surprising that many of them will seek assistance when performing concrete tasks similar irresolute tires. Such toys stifle their creative tendencies.^[9]

The identity of the toys also has a lot to show about what guild expects from women. The aesthetics of the toys are symptomatic of gender stereotypes. Infant Annabel is dressed in pink and white. It has large eyes and chubby cheeks designed to arm-twist nurturing and caring reactions. Conversely, Transformers three or Bob the architect accept daring and bold colors designed to encourage the kid to practise something with information technology. Girls toys tend to cause them to get more relational while boys toys emphasize practical aspects of things or aggression.

Reflection

The four enquiry items have proved that contemporary toys still enforce gender stereotypes. Girls' toys teach them how to become consumers, submissive nurturers and affidavit seekers. On the other paw, boys' toys condition them for independence, assertiveness, confidence and production in their adult life.

Reference List

Blakemore, Judith & Renee Centers. "Characteristics of boys' and girls' toys." Sex Roles Periodical 53, no. ix(2005): 619-634.

Bell, Susan. "How to use semiotics in qualitative enquiry." Susan Bell Research. Web.

Campenni, C. Estelle. 1999. "Gender Stereotyping of Children's Toys: A Comparison of Parents and Nonparents." Sex Roles twoscore, no. ane/2: 121-138.

Chandler, Daniel. Semiotics: The Basics. London: Routledge, 2002.

Cherney, Ian, Linda Kelly-Vance & Kate Glover. "The effects of stereotyped toys and gender on play assessment in children aged 18–47 months." Educational Psychology no. 23(2003), 95–105.

Keramyda, Maria. "Social and ideological Stereotypes in Children's toy advertisements in Greek Television." Applied Semiotics no. 22(2009): 203-225.

Squidoo. "Tesco Meridian 10 Toys for Christmas 2012." Squidoo. Web.

Stengling, Maya. "Bounden: a resource for exploring interpersonal meaning in 3D space." Social Semiotics 18, no. four(2008): 425-447.

Van Leeuwen, Theo. "The world according to Playmobil." Semiotica Journal 173, no. ane(2009): 299-315

Van Leeuwen, Theo & C. Caldas-Coulthard. The semiotics of kinetic pattern. Wales: Cardiff University Press, 2002.

Wood, Wendy & A. Eagly. "A cross-cultural assay of the beliefs of women and men: Implications for the origins of sex differences." Psychological Bulletin no. 128 (2002), 699–727.

Appendix 1: Toys Images

Appendix ii: Survey Questionnaire

1. Which roles do you assign to the proposed toys:
2. Female person-related roles;
3. Gender roles;
4. Male person-related;
5. Neutral;
6. Which factors influence your determination to buy a toy?
7. To entertain a child;
8. To develop his mental and physical skills;
9. Do you purchase toys to develop gender roles amongst your children?
10. Yes;
11. No;
12. Why do you prefer buying role-related toys?
13. For developing gender roles;
14. For engaging them into a game;

Appendix 3: Survey Results

Figure 1: Gender Appropriateness

Appendix 4: Survey Questions (for children)

1. How practise you describe your toy?
2. Funny;
3. Beautiful;
4. Interesting;
5. Engaging;
6. Which of the toys practise you like most?
7. Dolls;
8. Cars;
9. Robots;
10. Superheroes;
11. Do you like your toy?
12. Yes
13. No
14. What games can you play using this toy?
15. Assigning various roles to toys;
16. Entertaining each other;
17. What role exercise you perform in game with this toy?
18. Active player;
19. Passive thespian;
20. Do you want to play with children with the aforementioned toy or you prefer playing solitary?
21. Play with children;
22. Playing solitary;

Footnotes

1. Theo Van Leeuwen, "The world co-ordinate to Playmobil," Semiotica Journal 173, no. ane(2009): 299-315
2. Maria Keramyda, "Social and ideological Stereoptypes in Children's toy advertisements in Greek Television," Applied Semiotics no. 22(2009): 203-225.
3. Estelle C. Campenni,. "Gender Stereotyping of Children's Toys: A Comparison of Parents and Nonparents." Sexual practice Roles twoscore, no. one, (1999): 133.
4. Squidoo, "Tesco Top 10 Toys for Christmas 2012," Squidoo, Final modified January 2013.
5. Wendy Wood & A Eagly, "A cross-cultural analysis of the behavior of women and men: Implications for the origins of sex differences," Psychological Bulletin no. 128 (2002), 699–727.
6. Judith Blakemore, & Renee Centers, "Characteristics of boys' and girls' toys," Sex Roles Journal 53, no. nine(2005): 619-634
7. Ian Cherney, Linda Kelly-Vance & Kate Glover, "The furnishings of stereotyped toys and gender on play assessment in children aged 18–47 months," Educational Psychology no. 23(2003), 95–105.
8. Maya Stengling, "Binding: a resource for exploring interpersonal significant in 3D space," Social Semiotics 18, no. 4(2008): 425-447.
9. Theo Van Leeuwen & C Caldas-Coulthard, The semiotics of kinetic design (Wales: Cardiff University Press, 2002), 41-53.

connorscattesidn88.blogspot.com

Source: https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-contemporary-toys-enforce-gender-stereotypes-in-the-uk/

Share this post