It’s a well-known fact: boys are drawn to trucks, trains, and dinosaurs. However, as a mother of four boys, I can assure you that they are equally enamored with dolls, dollhouses, dress-up costumes, and kitchen sets. In reality, they are captivated by any toy they can get their hands on because, let’s face it, children simply love to play — until someone tells them otherwise. When we label toys as “for boys” or “for girls,” we inadvertently confine our children’s interests. And let’s be honest, that’s just wrong.
For a significant period, my youngest was fascinated with My Little Pony, and we embraced it wholeheartedly. We loved witnessing his excitement at the mere mention of his favorite characters, regardless of their gender. He would cozy up in the My Little Pony blanket his grandma crafted, enjoy his plush Applejack pony, binge-watch his favorite episodes, and immerse himself in his collection of My Little Pony storybooks every night.
The highlight was the gift from his uncle on his 4th birthday: a pair of purple, sparkly Crocs featuring — you guessed it — My Little Ponies. He wore them with pride, receiving smiles and compliments everywhere he went. The only downside was that the shoes often clashed with his outfits.
Then came the day someone told him those shoes were “for girls.” Just like that, the encouragement faded. A single comment made him stop wearing them, and he became disinterested in anything Pony-related. Now almost five, he hasn’t shown the same enthusiasm for anything else since. It breaks my heart to think that one small doubt could extinguish such a vibrant imagination.
I can’t comprehend those who restrict their boys from playing with “girl” toys, or vice versa. What are they afraid of? That their child might become some sort of gender-bending deviant? We all have cherished memories of our childhood toys, but it’s a stretch to claim that any single toy dictates the course of our lives. It takes much more than that. I used to give my Barbies dramatic haircuts, but I certainly didn’t end up as a hairdresser, which might have been a blessing considering their unfortunate hairstyles.
If playing with toys typically associated with the opposite gender influences development in any way, it’s more likely to foster qualities such as a nurturing father who knows his way around the kitchen or a woman with a passion for engineering or archaeology. Imagine a world where individuals aren’t boxed into gender-specific interests. The horror! (Cue the eye rolls.)
When we tell our kids they shouldn’t like what they genuinely enjoy, we’re teaching them to doubt themselves, all while preaching self-confidence. Moreover, we’re reinforcing outdated stereotypes that have categorized both genders into limiting roles for generations. I refuse to restrict my children to what society deems acceptable. I want them to pursue what ignites their passion, whether those interests are traditionally labeled as pink, blue, or anything else. My hope is for them to grow up as happy, contributing members of society. I’m convinced that fostering their imaginations through play, regardless of the toys involved, is beneficial. For more insights on this topic, check out this article we’ve put together.
In summary, let kids be kids and allow them to explore their interests without the constraints of gender norms. Embrace their passions, whether they involve dolls or dinosaurs, and support their imaginative play. After all, the toys they choose can only enrich their lives.