Can the kinds of toys that kids play with influence their gender someday?

kitchen toys - kitchen toy stuffs
@iskayz (5420)
Philippines
June 4, 2009 2:48am CST
I have a nephew and his just 2 1/2 years old. But at his early age I can see his intelligent and a fast leaner too. He’s also talented especially when it comes to music. He loves to dance and memorizes tunes fast though he can’t talk yet. He’s a very observant kid and quickly learns from the things and people around him, imitating what he sees. Everyday I am with him and I have noticed that he likes to play cooking. He doesn’t have any toy plates or pans or things like that but he amazes me cause’ he uses sticks and jar covers imitating that he is cooking. He even would have me taste whatever in his mind he’s cooking, well usually its chicken cause that’s what he always says. Anyways, as his aunt I would like to develop his interest in cooking. I know it’s too early to say that cooking could be one of his talents but I believe educating a kid at an early is a good foundation for his future talents. Who knows, he could be a chef someday hehe. But I am a bit concerned with his gender. I know cooking isn’t only for girls cause a lot of good chefs comes from the male gender but if I help my nephew develop this interest I may have to buy him toy plates and other kitchen toy stuffs and confusion troubles my mind. Could these kinds of toys can make him gay someday when he grows up? Normally, kitchen toys are for young girls. My nephew also has gay uncles on his father’s side. So, please help. Should I buy him kitchen toy stuffs or not? All advices are welcome.
4 people like this
3 responses
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
4 Jun 09
go ahead and buy him the toys. You are right that if he shows a strong interest in things like that then it is good to promote the interest. As for toys making him gay....won't happen...can't. If a person is gay there is nothing that is going to make them un-gay and likewise there is nothing that can make a person gay. They are what they are.....born that way. So don't worry. You sound like a wonderful aunt and your nephew is very lucky to have someone like you on his side.
1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
9 Jun 09
Oh thank you sid. I try to be a very good aunt to my nephew. Though he has a nanny I still look after him. I give him baths, washes his poops and play with him. I have thought him a lot things too. Like kinds of fruits and counting 1-5 hehe. He even knows his name and everyone in the house. I feel happy if he learns something from me. Now about the toys, sadly I can't get him the kitchen toy stuffs.. I told his mom (my sister) about my idea but she refused having the idea that they might turn him into gay. His parents are very careful about his gender cause the boy has gay cousins and they're afraid he might turn into one.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
9 Jun 09
Oh that is too sad. He won't turn into gay. And the thing is, they can buy him all the boy toys that they want and it won't prevent him from being gay either. He either is or is not. Hopefully if he is, they will just accept it.
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
5 Jun 09
Just a quick point,I am male,and I have to younger sisters(not by much either)I grew up more with them,than anyone,I am a good cook,I can sew,knit,bake,and clean my home quite well. I have babysat for close to 40 years and have never been married. I have also been in the army,and spent three years in Nam. Anyone care to call me gay or weak? not a good idea.lol I have a cousin that is gay,and we get on quite well and I have met may of his friends and no problems. just saying,toys do not make gender,they can however,help him in many ways when batching at collage or later in life.
1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
9 Jun 09
Well good for you that you know how to do housework! I find guys like you pretty amazing and industrious cause not a lot of guys knows how to do house chores. They say that guys who does house chores does it better than girls cause guys are more detailed when it comes to stuffs. I think playing can help kids learn from it and use their knowledge in later life. I Sometimes I let my nephew play with the broom. He likes to mimic me when I sweep the floor and so I let him do it. He thinks we're playing when actually I am teaching him something. Just like what I have experienced when I was a kid. For now the final decision of buying him a kitchen toy is not on me. I have talked to his mom and she said no. But I will talk to her again for a little more convincing. Ciao!
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
6 Jun 09
Personally I have never seen where buying cooking stuff helps determine who a child will be later in life. A lot of times there are other things that happens to have someone decide something like this as they get older. Personally I have seen a lot of boys play with cooking things, and there are now a lot of more boy based things like this for sure. So just encourage him to be a Boy, and play with cooking stuff as he wishes, and don't worry about anything else. It should all turn out OK.