competitive. In class we a beauty set for girls. In giving a girl a beauty set, you are telling her that her looks are important and that she must always try to look beautiful. It is obvious that toys begin to teach children their gender roles and characteristics at a very young age.
             According to the self-identification theory gender socialization begins with a child's categorization as a male or a female. The child then goes onto identifying sex-appropriate behavior in the family, media and elsewhere and to adopt those values. One way that children identify sex appropriate roles and behaviors is through the toys that they play with. Boys learn that they are supposed to be protective and macho. In class we saw the example of the rescue set, through this toy boys learn that their role is to be a protector. Girls learn that they are supposed to be nuturers and housewives. In class we saw many different types of dolls. Dolls socialize girls to believe that their most important role in life is to someday be a mother.
             In the class exercise I also observed that toys differentiate between the type of play that boys and girls should participate in. Boys' play is usually in a large group. There play is characterized more by fighting and competition. The ultimate goal is to be the winner. Girls' toys are targeted at individual play, where a girl is forced to use her imagination. When girls do play with other girls, it is usually in a small group of two or three. The group will emphasize cooperation, and take turns with a toy.
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