by Candice Ryan

Created on: October 23, 2009

Many children are brought up stereotypically according to the gender and not given the choice to play with toys typically made for the opposite sex. A boy playing with a Barbie would be unacceptable in their case. As these children grow older, they will usually opt for the toy that they are used to. Others are raised in a different manner in which it would be perfectly acceptable for a little boy to play with Barbies and a girl to play with a dump truck. The question here is why the majority of children from both ends of the spectrum continue to choose the gender typical toys when given the choice.

Anne McIlroy, science reporter from The Globe and Mail recently interviewed Dr. Lise Eliot about her newly published book, Pink Brain Blue Brain. Dr. Eliot says "There just isn't the data in children, or the data we have so far doesn't reveal anything dramatically different between boys' and girls' brains. I want to be clear I am talking about their brains. There are obviously pretty striking differences in behavior." She also added "The public gets confused about this idea that brain equals nature. There are two components of our biology: nature and nurture. And 50 years of neuroscience that show how experience and environment critically shapes brain structure and function." The studies Dr. Eliot speaks of in her new book show there really is not much difference between children male and female brains other than boys are slightly bigger. Obviously that doesn't mean either sex smarter in general and it doesn't appear to contribute towards gender roles in any known way. Therefore, the gender roles are taught throughout the years as a child grows.

So in response to why boys like "guns" and girls like "dolls", it's because from around the age of two when they realize whether they are male or female, their brains process all gender roles that pass and go at home, on television, at school, at the playground and absolutely everywhere. Even if their parents are very open to raising the child without gender stereotypes, these kids' brains want to know where they fit in the world and what the rules are so they find them by watching. Although we have come a long way, a world without gender stereotype is virtually impossible. This doesn't mean we shouldn't encourage diversity. Parents should still allow children to explore all aspects so they are not limited to pre determined gender based expectations.

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