In this paper you collect and analyze gender-related messages associated with toys.

In this paper you collect and analyze gender-related messages associated with toys. You are not expected to do any library or academic research for this paper. You are, however, expected to look at toys and/or toy advertisements in stores or online. Gendered messages in toys and games Purpose: In this assignment you will analyze the gender-related messages associated with toys and games, and how these toys and games may promote certain behaviors and communication styles in girls and boys. Description: For the first part of this assignment you should either: 1. Visit a local store and spend some time in the toy and game department; or 2. Look at the toys and games sold online by retailers. Some retailers specifically categorize toys and games by sex (Toys-R-Us, Walmart) and others do not (Target, Amazon). You should also look at who appears on the box and in the advertising/promotional materials for certain toys and games. Finally, you can consider toys and games that are typically given to one sex over the other. Spend some time investigating the similarities and the differences in the toys and games that are associated with each sex, and collect specific examples that you can use to support and illustrate your analysis. Use your field research to address the following questions: Briefly describe how you did your field research to complete this assignment (the stores you visited and/or the websites you explored). Diana Ivy, the author of Genderspeak, claims that toys and games for boys encourage: self-reliance (being independent) problem solving competitiveness aggressiveness constructiveness (building things) To what extent is this supported by your research? Provide specific examples for support and illustration. You are welcome but not required to include images as part of your description. Ivy claims that toys and games for girls encourage: domesticity (related to home and family) interpersonal closeness (feeling connected to others) social orientation and cooperation creativity To what extent is this supported by your research? Provide specific examples for support and illustration. You are welcome but not required to include images as part of your description. How, if at all, do the toys and games identified in your research contribute to the process of becoming gendered? In other words, do they socialize children to identify as and/or differentiate between girls and boys? Do they set expectations for what its like to be a woman or a man? Explain your answer. End your paper by reflecting back on your own experience growing up. What toys and games were you given and did you play with as a child? Explain how, if at all, these toys and games influenced your gender identify and/or your expectations for sex and gender roles. The following standards will be used to evaluate your application papers: Research/reflections are complete (you address all topics of assignment) You provide specific examples for support and illustration Your research/reflections are insightful (you demonstrate that you have spent some time thinking about the topic and you have something thoughtful to say in response) Your paper is well written and free of mistakes Rubric Application paper (1) Application paper (1) Criteria Ratings This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Research/reflections are fully explained and complete This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Examples used for support/illustration This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Research/reflections insightful This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Well written and free of mistakes