As babies and young children when we all vaguely look like potatoes with eyes, our genders are usually signified via which colour toys we are given: blue or pink. Pink is seen as significantly more feminine within society, whereas blue is associated with various different qualities and is used in logos for big businesses and in uniforms: representing success, trust, authority.
As well as gender-coordinated colours, the different types of toys may also be solidifying harmful gender roles in children’s minds. In a photo series named ‘The Pink and Blue Project‘ inspired by these ideas, South Korean photographer JeongMee Yoon took photos of children from the around the world with their possessions.
Now only do these children own about five thousand more things than I have in my entire life, there is also the undeniable fact that boys own blue stuff, and girls get pink but it’s the type of toys that is worrying. ‘Toys for girls are pink, purple, or red, and are related to dress up, cooking, and domestic affairs,’ says Yoon. ‘Most toys for boys are made from the different shades of blue and are related to robots, industry, science, & dinosaurs.’
Having once been a child myself, I know that I played with whatever I was given and didn’t really have a preference between playing with trains, lego, dolls (be they Barbie or Spiderman) or teddies. In fact, my brother and I shared all of our toys. Why is it that in modern society we still buy little girls toys that will help them within a domestic environment, but do not buy little boys the same? Is there an assumption that boys will not need to cook or clean as adults? And why are little boys bought science related toys whilst girls are bought slightly creepy baby dolls, other than the fact one of the sexes is born with a womb? Let us know your opinions!
Featured photo credit: The Pink and Blue Project via amazon.com
