Do boys naturally play with cars?
By thewriter
@thewriter (198)
May 8, 2008 9:11am CST
From a very early age my four year old nephew has been playing with cars. He tells me that they are 'boys toys', and that girls are not supposed to play with cars.
I have never encouraged him at all to play with cars. Do you suppose it is natural for my nephew to prefer playing with cars?
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1 response
@wooitsmolly (3613)
• United States
8 May 08
I think it is probably something your nephew saw on television or noticed within his group of friends. Maybe someone in his family said that and it stuck with him. I think we are all socialized to gravitate toward certain "things" that are "supposed" to be for our gender. I wish it wasn't that way because boys should be able to enjoy playing with dolls and girls should be able to enjoy playing with cars without risking getting made fun of! I think that if society didn't put these ideas in the heads of children that more men would be sensitive and more women would be tough. I am not saying those kinds of people aren't out there, but that is not how we are socialized to be.
@thewriter (198)
•
8 May 08
Well as a graduate of sociology I think you have a point. I bought my nephew a doll, albeit a male, and challenge his preconceived ideas almost daily.
I noted that just the other day he initiated a game of 'families' but it (in my eyes) seemed to be from a different perspective which I forgot what. Anyway, I thought he played 'families' differently from his eight year old sister.
As for his eight year old sister we have bought her train sets, cars (albeit a Barby one, because she is very feminine). She enjoys typical 'girly' toys and activities.
