In her article "'Night to His Day': The Social Construction of Gender," Judith Lorber states that gender is constantly created and re-created" in our social interactions, in our personal presentation (e.g., through clothing, mannerisms speech patterns, even in our parenting). But when most of us aren't aware of these "gender signs and signals" until they are disrupted, that Is. n they are absent, ambiguous, or don't meet our expectations: and because this gendering starts so early, we tend to think of gender as "natural." In fact, gender identity is not rooted in biology; rather, it is a social process that begins at birth (if not before).
After reading Lorber's article, visit a toy store or the toy aisles of a big box store like Target, Walmart, or Meijer. Look at the boys' and girls' toy aisles with a critical, feminist eye. Spend at least 15 to 20 minutes in each aisle. Examine individual toys and their packaging, as well as the overarching characteristics of each aisle as a whole. Take detailed notes on what you observe.
Questions you should consider:
• What is your first impression of each aisle?
• What characterizes a girl's toy? A boy's toy?
• Do you notice any themes when you look at the toys in each aisle?
• How are the toys marketed? For example, what kinds of language, imagery, and packaging are used on the packaging for girls' versus boys' toys?
• What messages do we get about what girls like/value vs. what boys like/value from these toys and their makers?
• How do these messages and themes translate into the jobs, and public and private roles we are expected to fill as adults?