Social Role Theory: Stereotyped Expectations of Gendered Toys and its Implications in a Society

Abstract

Purpose: This research examined the toy’s role in the development of children’s gender and sexuality perception. In this regard, the study investigated what kind of messages toys usually present to the kids regarding their normative behavior and practices in the society.
 Methodology: Purposive sampling of six entertaining videos from three YouTube channels were qualitatively analyzed and the study is carried out to prove the stance that toys are highly gendered and deliver the sexual and gendered message to the young children. Theoretical framework of social role theory was used for drawing the results that the society associate the particular behavior with the inherent ability of man or woman.
 Findings: Girls are being trained to have domestic skills through the kitchen set toys. Doll set toys are used to provoke the nurturing duties. While action-oriented toys of the young boys are always thrilling and exciting because the boys are naturally strong and their toys such as war gun is indicator of violence which is primarily associated with the men and it shows the passive nature of girl. Wheeled vehicles and gun war toys are associated with the man because they have inherently strong muscles and are supposed to be involved in action-oriented work.
 Conclusion: Girls have inherent childbearing abilities, caring nature and high patience level that is why they are considered submissive, caretaker and beauty conscious which is shown in toys such as dolls, makeup kits and kitchen set.
 Recommendation: Future studies can be conducted to scrutinize the impact of gendered toys particularly on the brain development in young boys and girls.