The Social Birds & the Bees: The socialization of gender, a toy store ethnography
A brazen knight- adorned in shining armor, riding atop a gallant steed. A beautifully-well-groomed princess- dressed in the finest materials cascading around her feet, trapped and in need of rescue. Do these two images ring any bells?
Throughout the history of the United States, and really the entirety of Western culture historically, society has developed cultural tools to instruct children on what it means to be a boy or a girl. Culture refers to the ideas, beliefs, values, normative behaviors, media, laws, and other socially constructed ideas which are specific to any given society. A social construct is any ideation which is established collectively by a group, which then forms the backbone of a shared understanding of reality. The engendering of boys and girls through cultural tools, such as the media and toys, is known as gender socialization. Gender socialization begins at a very young age and, as this ethnography evidences, plays a large role in the larger structures of patriarchy in society in the United States.
According to “The Social Construction of Gender,” by Judith Lorber, the construction of gender begins at birth with the assignment of sex based on what the genitalia look like at birth (1994).
A binary gender classification dominantly exists in the Western Society in which newborns are assigned to be boys or girls based solely on physical appearances. This practice has many concerns, especially when children are born as intersex. According to an article written by Nuria Gregori Flor, et al.,“'Intersex' is an umbrella term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of a female or male body (2018).” Children born as intersex are regularly viewed as a social problem and surgeries are performed upon the newborns to “cure” them, even in the absence of any health problems (2018). This “typical definition of the sexual anatomy of a female or male body” is the very basis of the socialization of the binary gender system.
Newborns, having now been assigned a gender upon the examination or reconstruction of their genitalia, have their gender further socially constructed through the clothing their parents or caregivers adorn them with.
The article written by Witt SD, “Parental influence on children's socialization to gender roles,” states, “he strongest influence on gender role development seems to occur within the family setting, with parents passing on, both overtly and covertly, their own beliefs about gender.” Everyone in the Western cultures are well aware that a baby that is dressed in blue is a boy, and that a baby dressed in pink is a girl. This idea is a social construct that parents use in order to make a statement to the public about whether their child is a boy or a girl. People acknowledge these social constructs and treat the child in accordance to the roles associated with either gender. Boys often are treated in a more “adult” manner with terms like “champ” and less inclination towards “baby speak” (the high pitched tones used to speak to children), while girls are often treated in a much more gentle manner being coddled more and treated with more fragility than boys are.
Treating children in this manner teaches them what it means to be male or female. Usha Ram, et al., state in their article, “children learn [to equate] maleness with power and authority and femaleness with inferiority and subservience (2014).” This engendering of roles in children leads to severe outcomes in the greater structures of society. Boys are taught how to dominate and exercise authority while girls are taught to be submissive (2014). Society then creates stigmas upon the different genders and how they are treated in certain circumstances which leads to the normalization of gender biases throughout the social systems.
Not only do the clothes used to engender children play a role in the construction of gender, but so do the toys meant for and given to boys and girls.
I conducted an ethnography of the toy sections at two major stores, Fred Meyers and Wal-Mart, in order to best capture the dominant schema of the Portland, Oregon social construction of gender. Both stores were consistent with one another in the manner of which they marketed and displayed their toys, as well as the type of toys marketed.
What I found was that there was a clear distinction in the marketing of toys for girls and for boys.
The toys intended for either sex were located in their own aisles separated from the other gender's toys. Toys marketed to girls were full of bright colors with a heavy reliance on pink and purple hues, while boys were focused primarily on blues and greens. The activity level designed for the use of these toys was polarized between the genders with girls toys being low level activity like playing dress-up/house with dolls, while boys toys tend to be high level activity like fighting figurines and sports. Even the “dress-up” for boys was focused on high activity characters like Ninja Turtles and Star Wars where girls dress up focused primarily on submissive characters like Disney princesses.
While there were many distinct differences between the two gendered toy sections, one last thing I found to be of interest was that the toys marketed to girls tended to display a side of imagination with mythical creatures involved, such as unicorns and mermaids. However, toys marketed for boys relied almost wholly on a sense of realism with actual people and more life-like imagery. The marketing and application of these toys used as gender construction tools impact society in many ways as children grow to become a part of the social order.
As I mentioned previously, the clear differences in the social construction of gender and gender roles leads to the development of severe injustices within the larger context of society. Judith Lorber writes in her article, “As a social institution, gender is a process of creating distinguishable social statuses for the assignment of rights and responsibilities. As part of a stratification system that ranks these statuses unequally, gender is a major building block in the social structures built on these unequal statuses (1994).” One of the major components that is affected by these gender constructs is an individual's wages. According to The American Association of University Women, women were paid only 80% of what men made in 2017, putting the wage gap at 20% (2019).
I cannot help but think of the ways in which society has influenced me and my own personal experience of gender.
I personally consider myself to be gender non-binary. I do not relate with the idea of maleness (in even its most healthy representation), nor with the idea of femaleness, but rather closer to androgynous in that I relate to having aspects of both female and male. I grew up on the East Coast just outside of Washington DC where people tend to be much less progressive in their ideas. I was forced into playing sports that I never wanted anything to do with and bombarded with an array of constructs guiding me to become a man. I never felt comfortable taking on the label of being a boy, or a man, and it wasn't until I moved to Portland, Oregon and started to explore what it meant to have a gender that I understood why. Having been forced into representing an idea that I felt little to no relation to deeply disturbed me and has since caused serious detriment in the ability to feel safe in expressing who I am and what I feel.
Gender is a social construct developed by humans interacting in social settings and has been used to instruct children in their roles as males and females beginning at birth and continuing throughout the lifetime.
The constructs children learn at home and in social interactions in our current schema of gender leads to gender biases creating and exasperating social inequalities in relation to gender. However, since these ideas are designed and encouraged by humans, then too can humans be the ones to resolve the inequalities which stem from these concepts of the socialization of gender.
Works Cited
Flor, Nuria Gregori, et al. “Bioethics and Intersex: ‘Time out’. A Paradigm Shift on Intersex Management in the Spanish Context.” Athenea Digital. Revista De Pensamiento e Investigación Social, vol. 18, no. 2, 2018, pp. 1899., doi:10.5565/rev/athenea.1899.
Lorber, Judith. The Social Construction of Gender. 1994.
SD, Witt. “Parental influence on children's socialization to gender roles,” Adolescence, vol 32, Summer, 1997. pp. 253-259. PMID: 9179321
Ram, Usha, et al. “Gender Socialization: Differences between Male and Female Youth in India and Associations with Mental Health.” International Journal of Population Research, vol. 2014, 2014, pp. 1–11., doi:10.1155/2014/357145.
The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap. The American Association of University Women, www.aauw.org/research/the-simple-truth-about-the-gender-pay-gap/
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I was just reading through the conversations on this in the discord. It's certainly a thought provoking topic and was so interesting to hear that it is very much a western cultural thing. I think it will take a generation or two for paradigms to shift. We don't easily change.
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I was pleasantly surprised to learn its a Western struggle, it gave me more hope that things can change more quickly than I previously imagined. I think the new generation as children now will have major affects.
That was an interesting discovery. I guess it's easier than we realise to get caught up in our own propaganda.
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The most personal, and general of subjects. I think recent research has demonstrated that prenatal influences exist. Why not? They also influence our ability to adjust to stress (see @abigail-dantes recent blog) and even our longevity. The science on this is young, but persuasive.
However, as a confirmed feminist who grew up in a home where traditional roles were not only encouraged but mandated, I know all too well the role of culture. Of course we are inundated by subtle and not-so-subtle messages.
How do you sort out the biological from the cultural with regard to gender, and a host of other issues? Not clear, not yet, anyway.
Thank you for this engaging post.
Definitely. It is sufficient to enter toys shop or clothes shops and investigates what we have for boys and girls (paying a particular attention to the colors). After writing this and continuing my reading, I noticed you were saying exactly the same thing further down in your post. :)
One major issues with gender equality and diversity in general, is that the “problem” or “issue” (if we can call it that way) is not treated equally at all levels. We should definitely do something with toys and clothes too!
To me, there is nothing wrong to that (let’s be a little be provocative here ;) ). There is, in my opinion, a biological definition of genders. Of course, there are exceptions to it, as you mentioned. This however has nothing to do with the gender issues we are more used to hear about those days. It is not because one is born as biologically male or female that one must feel like a male or female, which is a totally different story.
I always find it fascinating how clear the marketing is and yet hardly anyone bats an eye to it! Gender equality certainly needs to extend to all aspects of which gender encompasses, toys and clothes included. Little girls like to get muddy and little boys like to bake cupcakes!
There is a biological definition of sex which has been confused with gender. Gender is psychological and a social construct. The reason that it is detrimental is because the binary classification of gender creates specific requirements to be either or which not everyone fits which creates complete outsiders, alienating entire groups of people.
Marketing... what can we do about it, except ignoring those shops and not entering. I wish more people would do it... then maybe something could change, as money is always a good trigger for this kind of things.
I must say... that I agree with your last comment. I mixed genders and sexes. But for my defense, this is miles away from my zone of comfort (physics :p ). Thanks for bringing me back to reality!
Hello there @alchemage :)
This topic will never cease to fascinate me. You presented it very well and I like how you made the perspective from which you were going to showcase this topic clear from the very beginning. I have written about this in past on my Steemit blog and, coincidentally, will include a short discussion on it on my next post.
Not long ago I came across a study on how individual's gender identities are already shaped by their parents' language as soon as they're born Ref.. Of course, this study dates from the 70's and things like "oh, she will help you with the household chores" and "he will play rugby" were said. Still, just the other day in a coffee bar I witnessed a grandmother carrying a baby boy outside in her arms while say "let's go out and flirt with the pretty girls".
I am now interested in looking into the works of Judith Lorber :) By the way, there is another Judith (Judith Butler) who examines this topic very profoundly as well. She sees gender as a "performance". I believe you would be interested in her works :)
But, since you have touched on the topic of toys, I would like to mention here some very interesting studies involving toys and primates. New evidence points to the possibility that boy's and girl's toys preference seem to result from factors other than "modern sex-biased parental behavior and gender socialization". ref., ref.
Thank you for this post. I will definitely look into some of the references you provided here :)
All the best to you,
Abigail
Thank you very much for your kind words. I'll have to give your post a read when I have some time, I'm pretty busy working in my lab and preparing for school in September.
Language certainly is a major factor in how we develop our identities, that's what I was mentioning with the baby talk for girls and tough talk for boys. It's a very obvious correlation, so it blows my mind that people don't understand or accept this idea! Thanks for the study link. :)
I'll have to look into your studies about toys, are you saying they show that socialization is not what brings children to prefer a toy or not?
Those studies were conducted by Elizabeth et al. (2014) & Bown and Disxon (2000). They indicate that this appears to be the case, yes. In an attempt to eliminate the influence of socialization in children's preference for toys, they turned to our closest ancestors to check it all out. The results showed that the males preferred and spent more time with toys like cars and planes, and the females with dolls. It seems that socialization is not the only factor at play when it comes to which toy boys and girls enjoy playing with.
All the best to you!
Fabulous. I guess I could identify as non binary, but I guess I've always called it 'I can do what I like despite how you are trying to socialise me how to behave'. I fell in love with my husband because of his 'manly' traits - i.e he was very practical, could use a hammer and fix an engine, but at the same time declare my capabilities in this area in the same way I fell in love with him for traits that might be regarded as 'feminine' - lithe frame, ability to cry when he hits a bird with his car, and can cook. We both identified as bisexual, which also helped. We both were raised by woman who taught us that woman were strong and capable, and would have slapped anyone who told them otherwise. My father treated me like a person, which meant it didn't matter what I did male/female wise, he just loved me as a person. It's how we raise our kids that matter.
Yeah, it sounds more like you have the idea that @porcheberry has mentioned. Identifying with non-binary is more than just defying social norms, but more about not relating with any concept of male or female. It sounds like you had a wonderful set of parents to give you a great set of supports to develop into a bright shining star. I think it's highly important to treat everyone like a person, especially children! Our impact on children is HUGE, even during short exposures.
There is an incredible book called the body keeps the score. I think I might have told you about this to 4. It really goes into the impact of parents and adults on children and how it impacts our entire lives on a level that goes far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. It actually made me realise that people from damaged families and damaged relationships need therapy and education to help them be better parents and probably the parents that they would like to be but can't because of past trauma. Even though we are talking about the socialization of gender here, I feel that if we were to really change the world we would provide support for families. You could have a real cultural shift . Because in the end when you treat people with love and respect as the primary motivator for how we relate to people none of these definitions even matter. I don't know I probably have gone a bit of track yes LOL
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A difficult subject to discuss these days as you can get attacked very easily from any direction! Maybe controversially I do think this is being taught far too early to kids causing them to question their existence in their body. While I am not saying binary gender is not a thing, I can't help but think young kids are very influential and are still discovering themselves; developing if you like and with all this in the media I adds another think to question and try. It's like the recent pride events in the UK now I support the gay community doing this but I went to one with my mother and her gay friend. The majority of the people there were school kids in my opinion jumping on the band wagon as it's the cool thing. Which to be kind of dampens the message as it's now a trendy think to say "i went to a pride event". I discussed this at the time and do think.... any that's another tangent. So yes I don't think this should be taught / prompted to young kids in school. Don't get me wrong it should not be blocked out for kids; parents have a responsibility to explain these things and teach equality and acceptance of all. But to teach it in primary schools and young kids is confusing for them I think, maybe i'm wrong 💯🐒
If you aren't offending people then you are doing something wrong. ;) LOL Just kidding, sort of heh.
I don't think anyone should be taught what it means to be any gender. People should learn for themselves through interacting with themselves and their environments and others. I don't see anything wrong with children going to Pride events, but going as a trendy thing to do seems like normalization - which really is fine as well. Its not really sending the right message, but its impossible to get everyone under one umbrella. I wholly agree that parents have a responsibility to explain questions the children have. Teaching about different genders and sexes is fine, but I'm not sure of the age of when its acceptable either.
Indeed well said! And I don't have a problem with the events just think would be better if there was an equality movement rather than a gay, feminist, black, white, Tuesdays, Mondays. It kind of segregates by expressing to separate movements the voice would be bigger if they all came together I think 💯🐒
Since becoming a mother I have seen how much gender roles are being forced onto children, it really engrained in past generations, how they speak and act around them. My kids are my kids, they can do and be who ever they wish to be, this is one of the reasons why I have kept them from mainstream school also, because people are not even aware that they are restricting their freedom by what they say etc. Such an important topic @alchemage and you wrote about it so truthfully xx
That's beautiful that you're incorporating it into your parenting. The children are our future and how we treat them will reflect in their behaviors. Thank you for treating your children like people! <3 And thank you for your kind words. <3
I may be cis-gender but I never fit the social ideal of the submissive woman. I am naturally assertive and charismatic, if I take charge people follow me. I also don't shy away from confrontation, apparently, the look on my face is enough to stop cat callers before they make a sound, even if I'm done up and/or have other women with me
Ayyy - that's the way to be! Claim yourself and your authority, let none other define you! Defy social norms! Such is the only way to bring change. :D
The disclaimer: I am totally....
White, Male, Privileged, Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic....
BUT
I definitely DO NOT relate to the usual stereotype of masculinity. I find it boring. Actually, I think the fetishisation of blokes with ripped muscles and 6-pack abs that the macho alpha-males glorify speaks to a kind of closet homoeroticism IMHO.
I think proto-Taoist Yīnyáng Theory provides us with a marvellous model for us to get over this binary-dualism.
Also, another fun little fact: apparently in pre-Victorian England it was traditional to dress newborn boys in pink and girls in blue...!!!!! Go figure!
A lot of arguments could be made in support of this, haha. It definitely creates a horrendously false idea of what masculinity is.
The yinyang theory definitely would help lend to getting beyond the binary argument.
I did know that tidbit - so interesting! Things like that flip pretty often throughout history.
Ok, idiots, if gender is a social construct:
Seriously, people, you are idiots
If you excavate a skeleton, it's very easy to see if it's a man or a women
If you find biological traits, there are either XX or XY chromoyomes *(and in several cases gentic lottery)
If you think that there are more than 2 genders - you are blindfolded idiots
Such harsh words, why the need for ad hominems? If you insist...
What if I told you that skeletons can lie?
Even you mention that there are other instances of gene expression of biological sex, why is it such a far reach to say that gender might express itself similarly?