And why it will take more than a gender-neutral doll to change things
By Megan K. Maas
Announced last September, Mattel’s new line of gender-neutral humanoid dolls don’t clearly identify as either boys or girls. The dolls come with a variety of wardrobe options and can be given varying hair lengths and clothing styles. But can a doll—or the growing list of other gender-neutral toys—really change the way we think about gender?
Mattel says it’s responding to research that shows “kids don’t want their toys dictated by gender norms.” Given the results of a recent study reporting that 24 per cent of adolescents have a non-traditional sexual orientation or gender identity, such as bisexual or non-binary, the decision makes business sense.
As a developmental psychologist who researches gender and sexual socialization, I can tell you that it also makes scientific sense. Gender is an identity and is not based on someone’s biological sex. That’s why I believe it’s great news that some dolls will better reflect how children see themselves.
Unfortunately, however, a doll alone is not going to overturn decades of socialization that have led us to believe that boys wear blue, have short hair and play with trucks, whereas girls like pink, grow their hair long and play with dolls. More to the point, it’s not going to change how boys are taught that masculinity is good and femininity is something less—a view that my research shows is associated with sexual violence.
The kinds of toys children play with tend to adhere to a clear gender binary. Toys marketed to boys tend to be more aggressive and involve action and excitement. Those marketed to girls, on the other hand, are usually pink and passive, and emphasize beauty and nurturing. But it wasn’t always like this.
Around the turn of the 20th century, toys were rarely marketed to different genders. By the 1940s, however, manufacturers had caught on to the idea that wealthier families would buy an entirely new set of clothing, toys and other gadgets if the products were aimed differently at each gender. And so, the idea of pink for girls and blue for boys was born.
Today, gendered toy marketing is stark. Walk down any toy aisle and you will clearly know its audience. The girl aisle is almost exclusively pink, showcasing mostly Barbie dolls and princesses. The boy aisle is mostly blue, and features trucks and superheroes.
“Kids go where there is excitement.
They stay where there is love.”Zig Ziglar
No more boys toys
The emergence of a gender-neutral doll is a sign of how this binary of boys and girls is beginning to break down—at least when it comes to girls.
A 2017 study showed that more than three-quarters of those surveyed said it was a good thing for parents to encourage young girls to play with toys or do activities “associated with the opposite gender.” The share rose to 80 per cent for women and millennials.
But when it came to boys support dropped significantly, with 64 per cent overall—and far fewer men—saying it was good to encourage them to do things associated with girls. Those who were older or more conservative were even more likely to think it wasn’t a good idea.
Reading between the lines, these findings suggest there’s a view that traits stereotypically associated with men—such as strength, courage and leadership—are good, whereas those tied to femininity—such as vulnerability, emotion and caring—are bad. Thus, boys receive the message that wanting to look up to girls is not okay. And many boys are taught over and over throughout their lives that exhibiting “female traits” is wrong and means they aren’t “real men.” Worse, they’re frequently punished for it—while exhibiting masculine traits, such as aggression, is often rewarded.
Sexual expectations
This gender socialization continues into emerging adulthood and affects men’s romantic and sexual expectations.
For example, a 2015 study I conducted with three co-authors explored how participants felt their gender affected their sexual experiences. Roughly 45 per cent of the women we talked to said they expected to experience some kind of sexual violence just because they are women; whereas none of the men reported a fear of sexual violence and 35 per cent said their manhood meant they should expect pleasure.
And these findings can be linked back to the kinds of toys we play with. Girls are taught to be passive and strive for beauty by playing with princesses and putting on makeup. Boys are encouraged to be more active or even aggressive with trucks, toys guns and action figures; building, fighting and even dominating are emphasized. A recent analysis of Lego sets demonstrates this dichotomy in what the company emphasizes for boys—building expertise and skilled professions—compared with girls—caring for others, socializing and being pretty. Thus, girls spend their childhoods practicing how to be pretty and care for another person, while boys practice getting what they want.
This results in a sexual double standard in which men are the powerful actors and women are subordinate. And even in cases of sexual assault, research has shown that people will put more blame on a female rape victim if she does something that violates a traditional gender role, such as cheating on her spouse—which is more accepted for men than for women.
Furthermore, a 2016 study found that adolescent men who subscribe to traditional masculine gender norms are more likely to engage in dating violence, such as sexual assault, physical or emotional abuse and stalking.
Teaching gender tolerance
Gender-neutral dolls offer much-needed variety in kids’ toys, but children—and adults—also need to learn more tolerance for others who express gender differently to themselves. And boys in particular need support in appreciating and practising more traditional feminine traits, such as communicating emotion or caring for other people—skills that are required for any healthy relationship.
Gender neutrality represents the absence of gender—not the tolerance of different gender expressions. If we emphasize only the former, I believe femininity and the people who express it will remain devalued.
So, consider doing something gender-non-conforming with your children’s existing dolls, such as having Barbie win a wrestling championship or giving Ken a tutu. And encourage the boys in your life to play with them too.
Megan K. Maas is an assistant professor of human development and family studies at Michigan State University.
