Gender Socialization in Toy Marketing
Visit a local toy store or the toy section in a department store to analyze the toys in terms of gender socialization, and approach it with open eyes and a clean slate. Observe and document the visual elements, with a particular focus on the toys’ marketing strategies.
Refer to the following questions to help you frame observation and analysis:
What are the differences between the “boys’” and “girls’” toys?
How are they marketed and packaged?
From your perspective, what lessons are boys and girls learning from these toys and their marketing?
Use information from the Chapter 5 material on Socialization and tie in your observations to the material presented in the chapter. Please make the course material clear. In other words, what is it about the socialization process presented in the course reading that influences or corresponds to your observations?