Consumption of toys: a gender deviation

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated the consumption habits of toys by children between the ages of 4 and 5 in a Municipal School of Early Education in the south zone of Sao Paulo. Consumption as the background to the study was supported by Linda Nicholson’s and Joan Scott’s gender discussions of gender whereas the issues related to gender and child play was based on studies by Gilles Brougère. The data collection instruments included open and closed questionnaires, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The data analysis demonstrated that boys’ and girls’ parents have a stereotyped gender acquisition and use of toys; although the children of both sexes from the age of 4 during observation played with toys considered male and female toys. The use of the research instruments was considered efficient, but the time allocated for the research was considered a limiting factor. Additional data collection would be necessary with the adults responsible for the children, in particular with male participants, as well as with the participation of more teachers in answering the questionnaires.