Knowing how to characterize toys is what helps companies be profitable by selling to the specific gender they are trying to appeal to. What if the products begin to expand their audience? Such as the brand My Little Pony, which is a television show now but it is expanding its values of the program and it is beginning to appeal to not only girls but boys as well. These boys who enjoy the show are known as "Bronies" and they purchase the pony products, toys, clothing, and all as any other boy gender product they like. The thing is how would this affect not only the young boys but also any social institutions they come across? Well Grayson Bruce, a 9 year old boy, figured out how loving a "girly" pony show would affect him and the concerns of the school he attended.
Grayson just wanted to wear his My Little Pony backpack to school (it's not a toy but it is still a genderized product). He was bullied so harshly that his mother had to pull him out of school and confront the principal. The principal just told her to leave the backpack at home, so pretty much banning boys from having My Little Pony products at school. As this story became more recognized, other Bronies supported Grayson on the social media. Eventually Grayson's mother spoke to the superintendent and was supported to prevent this bullying. The school now allows Grayson to wear his pony bookbag.
It is dreadful to see how an adult who is suppose to support and help children against bullying seemed to be against the victim. The principal's response to Grayson's situation was ignorant because it he was not supporting Grayson and was instead supporting the idea of bullying nontraditional gender roles to be allowed. School systems should be concerned with the values of teaching gender equality and reversed gender acceptance. This can be done with allowing children to play with any toys they want and any gender type of products. If children become more aware of gender role issues, then school systems should support the issues and have children understand the positive outcomes of playing with different gender toys. By children acknowledging gender roles in toys and then having someone teach children that they do not have to follow the traditional roles, allows for generations to continue the movement of equality and feminism.
References:
Grisham, Lori. "School Bans 9-year-old Boy's My Little Pony Backpack." USA Today. Gannett, 18 Mar. 2014. Web. 20 Nov. 2014.
References:
Grisham, Lori. "School Bans 9-year-old Boy's My Little Pony Backpack." USA Today. Gannett, 18 Mar. 2014. Web. 20 Nov. 2014.
I think school should be more open with what children want to use for their school supplies. The principle in trying to make Greyson not to use the backpack because the backpack is generalized as a girl used supplies. It is like people are limiting kids to play or use staff that is prescribed to their gender. Kids should have their own right to play whatever toys they want. Toys should not be divided into two genders. Boys could play stuffed animals, and girls could play cars too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of the story you mentioned before, and I'm glad I read your post about it. It is truly awful that people who are suppose to help and protect are the ones passing judgement and siding with those who are in the wrong. Schools in particular have a really bad way of showing young kids how gender roles should be enforced. It's very sad to see that something as insignificant as a backpack can be a cause for bulling and no one will do anything about it. School are especally important in teaching kids about values and how to be a good person. I always thought genderizing children's toys and games was not the best thing to do. I remember being told that I shouldn't like soccer because it's a boys sport, instead of being encouraged by the teachers to play because it's healthy to be active. Teachers and parents are the kids role models, and they should teach children that they can do what they want to do, be who they want to be, and play with what they want to play with, regardless of gender. It is in school that kids play and try different things that then shape who they will become and the career they will want to pursue. Already we see a very small amount of women going into engineering and science because playing with tools and rockets is a "boy thing" to do. Hopefully in the future schools will try to encourage kids to be proud of their interest and actually punish those in the wrong instead of blaming the victim.
ReplyDeleteI have been witness to this first hand when I worked as a teaching assistant at an elementary school in the preschool classroom for 3 year olds. The division of toys was spacial where boys toys were on one side of the room and included cars, trucks, action figures and firehouses. The side with the girls toys looked very different with a kitchen set, grocery cart, dolls and dress up clothes. I was taking turns between both groups as they played and I noticed that one of the little boys had made his way over to the girls area and picked up a doll. When he made his way over to the boys side one of the boys turned to him and said "boys don't play with dolls". I was shocked to hear this comment coming from a 3 year old, but I assumed it was what he was told at home by his parents.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lizzy Blogger, these ideas are not just based off the media; parents play a role as well. If a child is not attracted to toys made for their gender and their parents do not support them, they will not feel that liberation to choose for themselves. Society as a whole should stop gendering toys but parents also need to be aware that gendering is an issue. At the end of the day, children learn a lot form parents, and if parents are not supportive, the child will not be able to express itself. I think the example you posted clearly depicts the fact that it is not an individual problem, but an issue that needs to be addressed by everyone.
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