Gender Socialization

Gender socialization is part of life. It happens all around us everyday. From the moment babies are born, they are either called a boy or a girl. Gender socialization first happens in the home with the family. Depending on whether we are born male or female, we are set on a separate course in life for that sex. From cultural guidelines, Parents begin to teach children their part in this symbolic separation of the sexes. Based on this socialization that happens at a very early age, there is a strong impact on the identity of the individual.

While Browsing Target, I noticed a recurring trend among boy and girl toys and clothing.

Looking at the girl section of Target, I noticed the theme of pastel colors and frilly cloth. With girl toys and clothing, pink is the common color between the two. Girls are dressed in pink clothes that symbolize femininity. Girls are given Barbie dolls, jewelry, and make-up to play with. The clothing section is filled with dresses, skirts, tutus, and strappy sandals, with the same patterns and decorations of hearts, butterflies, flowers, and fairies. Growing up, I believed that I was only allowed to like the color pink because pink was a ‘girl color’ and blue was a ‘boy color’. Looking back at it now, I know it was a ridiculous view to have but that was the result of gender socialization that was placed in my head by society.

Color plays a big part in the gender socialization of a young child's life. Boys are dressed in blue clothes that symbolize masculinity. Boys are given dinosaurs, airplanes, and nerf guns. Boys shirt designs are decorated with firetrucks, sports apparel, race cars, and instruments. Clothing and toys are mostly designed with neutral colors like red, blue, and green. Assigning these colors to boys, it is planted in their minds that they are not allowed to like the color pink. I have seen countless times growing up, boys being teased for wearing