Playing with thin wrists has a negative impact on girls' body image

Toys are the favorite entertainment of the vast majority of boys and girls. So they spend most of their time playing with them. But toys are much more than objects, through them children learn about reality; which implies that they create their identity and their vision about their surroundings to some extent from toys. That is why adults must be attentive to the toys with which the little ones have contact.

For some time, it has been considered inappropriate for children to have contact with toy weapons, because it could normalize violence. This obeys a basic principle, through toys children represent and learn about reality. A] Yes, Toys can have a significant impact on children's self-esteem and this is what a recent study raises.

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Unreal body image

The specialists point out that through games and toys, boys and girls represent reality and rehearse social dynamics for the future. A] Yes, the fact that girls play with dolls with a certain body type has an important impact on their mental construction of the world and of themselves; since from this figure they will judge and be judged.

This raises an important problem, since the most common body image of dolls is extremely unreal, which will undoubtedly cause self-esteem problems, not being able to reach the stereotype that they have raised. This is not to mention the limited variety of races and gender identities that can be perceived in these toys.

The results obtained in a study carried out at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom are very clear. The image of extremely thin dolls has a highly negative impact on girls up to 5 years of age. In this study, it is also pointed out that it is not only about the stereotype exposed with the dolls, but that this same stereotype is strengthened through social networks and the media in general; resulting in the creation of an unattainable and therefore highly negative comparative image.

Consequences for life

Dissatisfaction is logical. Through the dolls, the girls create a mental model to follow; but that can hardly be achieved. This leads to dissatisfaction, anxiety, possible depression, and could lead to eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia..

Likewise, the industry of dolls has maintained a gender identity stereotype that is excessively limited. Another factor that favors low esteem and little acceptance by women; especially when they have been in contact with this type of toy in the first years of life, when stereotypes and behaviors are more easily absorbed.

Without a doubt, this is a wake-up call for the industry and helps to better understand how such unreal stereotypes have been built in our society.

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And you, what role do you think children's toys have in the construction of their view of the world?