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I’ve been reading a fair bit recently about the issues of gender stereotyping childrens clothing and toys. It got me curious to think as to whether I contributed to this stereotype with buying for my kids. My oldest son was bought the typical boy toys – cars, trucks, lego and he loves to play with them and hates dolls. My daughter loves getting dolls and wearing pink clothing and dresses – however she also plays in the mud, with the cars, with lego, wears her brothers hand me down shirts and loves shows like Scooby Doo and Ben 10. My youngest son has a fascination with cars and balls (he is 2 years old). But he also plays dress ups and plays babies with his sister. I’m not sure how much I have or haven’t encouraged the stereotype. I like to buy my sons boy type things and my girl dollies and pretty dresses but I never stop them from getting things not typically for their gender. It is an interesting conversation to listen to and wonder about my own stance on the issue.


Posted anonymously, 30th September 2015


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  • Such a controversial and emotive topic. Provided the kids have options, then you are dong just right. Sounds like you have it worked out.

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  • It sounds like you’re doing everything just right, I think it’s more that children need the opportunity to make their own choices about what they want to play with and wear instead of always being forced in to something. It sounds like your children have diverse interests that will probably keep going and changing as they get older, I think it’s lovely.

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  • I think children are their very own individual beings, and they will naturally be inclined to certain toys, without external influence

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  • I have 2 boys and 2 girls so we have the full myriad of toys. My boys love to play what they call mums and dads where they play with dolls and babies and pretend to be grown ups with their sisters. My daughters love to play with the matchbox cars and the trucks, my daughter will be dressed up as batman one minute and a princess the next.

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  • I only have boys but as they were growing up I would buy dolls, dress up clothes & even tea sets. Both boys also played with typical boy toys trucks/cars

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  • Some kids just gravitate to certain toys or games.

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  • I buy dolls and dresses for my daughter, but I have also bought trains as she loves Thomas. She loves to twirl in dresses like a ballerina, but she also loves playing in the dirt and mud

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  • Same here i buy boy things for the boys and girl things for my daughter. But never stop them playing with the others kids things. my sons just love playing with my daughters baby born feeding, toileting and pushing it in a pram. playing mummies and daddies. I think it brings a softer side out in them. My daughter thinks nothing about playing with cars etc. I wouldnt have it any other way.

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  • That’s sounds quite normal! Many boys can play with girl things and girls can play with boys things too! Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  • I buy my daughter dolls but have also bight her a digger for outside and she loves it!


    • Exactly! toys do not know gender. Let kids play and be happy! :)



      • That sounds like me as a child. I had dolls, but equally loved a sit on excavator type digger thing my uncle had bought me. Come to think of it I had a bit of Lego and matchbox cars as well.

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  • Kids will choose and be drawn to what they prefer. The important thing is for kids to have the same opportunity to participate in all activities. There choices need to be respected.

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