Nursery World - Positive Relationships: Behaviour

Gender stereotyping in clothes and toys is the subject of much
debate, but it is vital to recognise why children use 'girly/boyish'
signals and to give positive messages, Kay Mathieson explains.

question A three-year-old girl in our nursery is obsessed with all things pink and now wants a Barbie for her birthday. Her mother tries to persuade her to wear other colours but with no success. The mum is concerned about the gender divide in children's clothes and toys, and worries about any lasting impact this stereotyping may have on her daughter's self-esteem and self-perception. Is she right to worry and how can we reassure her?

answer Since the early 19th century, the fashion for clothing babies has changed from all children, male and female, wearing white frilly dresses, to putting boys in pink and girls in blue, and to the opposite of that today. The strong identification of pink for girls and blue for boys is currently the focus of much debate.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included