The Toy Store Assignment: There Are Not That Many Toy Stores

The Toy Store Assignmentthere Is Not That Much Of Toy Stores In Our Ar

The Toy Store Assignmentthere Is Not That Much Of Toy Stores In Our Ar. The Toy Store AssignmentThere is not that much of Toy stores in our area. For that reason, the two stores I visited were kind of similar to each other, only few differences. In my visit to two different toy sections in different markets, I was comparing the way toys are displayed for both genders, whether they were separated or not, the overall vibes I got from being in the section, comparing the different board games for both genders and the aspects of each, comparing the stereotypes these different stores presented for both gender, also comparing the many types of Barbie dolls in each store and how different these are from the other store, and I will be comparing all that with games I used to play when I was a little and if it's still around these days.

Starting with Walmart-Irvine, the way toys were displayed was kind of chaos. The toys weren’t really separated into two sections for each gender, but were divided by sign dividers, or colors. Princess theme for girls and car races for boys were the theme, which was the only way to know for which gender I was shopping. On the other hand, Target-Tustin “the district”, toys were orderly age & gender displayed, with three very organized sections: babies, boys, and girls. The excitement, competitiveness, and energy were the overall feelings of the boys’ section at Walmart.

Shelves were all in blue & black color. Where in Target, the theme wasn’t really about gender colors, but the characters in each section. Games were the theme of each aisle, such as cars, puzzles of car racing, war soldiers, and war tools. If I were to buy a game for my son, I would probably choose one of the “Lego” puzzles or the game involving figuring out the missing piece while building, as I believe these games develop a child's critical thinking and enhance creativity. Beauty and fashion were the overall feelings of the girls’ section.

Pink, red, and purple colors dominated the Walmart girls’ section, featuring fashionable clothes, hairbrushes, tiny heels, makeup kits, Barbies, and dolls with their beds. Target’s girls’ section was quite different from Walmart. It included a variety of toys beyond fashion and dolls, like professional tools, castles, learning activities on keeping things clean and tidy, large kitchens and clinics with tools, and pet games. The overall impression was that girls can be very creative.

If I were to choose a toy for my daughter, I would probably pick a castle or clinic to build or an accessories maker, to help her learn to care for her home and consider careers, reflecting the importance of nurturing responsibility and creativity. Walmart had a full section dedicated to board games. However, the games weren’t separated by age or gender, making it difficult to identify which games are for kids, adults, or families. Most were unisex, and included puzzles, cards, Monopoly, and building games. I selected four favorite board games to share: the Disney princess matching game for girls, which is educational; Battleship for boys, enhancing strategic thinking and competition; a 6-in-1 Frozen-themed game for girls, offering multiple ways to play; and the Fibber card game, which involves bluffing and teaches about honesty in a fun way.

In terms of stereotypes, Walmart’s girls’ section was associated with fashion and beauty, while the boys’ section reflected themes of war and racing. Target’s gender stereotypes were more about building, adventure, and careers, with girls’ toys emphasizing creativity and caregiving. During my childhood, I preferred role-playing profession games like being a teacher, doctor, or mother, which helped develop real-world skills. Today's toys incorporate educational tools and simulate real-life experiences more effectively, reflecting advancements in child development research.

Examining Barbie dolls, Walmart offers a wide range of dolls including fashion dolls, singers, and models, whereas Target features dolls representing various professions such as doctors, yoga instructors, hair stylists, bakers, and fashion enthusiasts. These diverse dolls allow girls to explore different careers and interests, inspiring aspirations. However, the clothing and presentation of some dolls, particularly the doctor Barbie in a revealing outfit with excessive glitter, may convey inappropriate stereotypes and unrealistic images of women in professional roles.

Conclusion

The comparisons between Walmart and Target reveal significant insights into gendered marketing, stereotypes, and evolving child play themes. While traditional stereotypes still influence many toy displays, there is a noticeable shift towards encouraging creativity, learning, and diversity. The role of toys in shaping perceptions of gender and career aspirations underscores the importance of thoughtful toy selection. Moving forward, toy stores should aim to present more balanced and inclusive options that inspire all children to explore their interests freely, fostering diversity and breaking down outdated stereotypes.

References

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