Emily F. Coyle, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Archived - Fair Play is not currently being supported or updated]

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One of the ways that I hope to connect more directly with the children and families that my research aims to serve is through blogging. I write a blog called Fair Play that reviews issues pertaining to children and gender stereotypes. Admittedly, my ability to maintain an active blog varies with my research and teaching schedule, and the blog has been on extended hiatus during my pretenure time at SMU.

 

From the About Fair Play page of the blog itself:

 

Fair Play is a blog about all things related to children’s toys and play, with the hope of informing consumers about the importance and availability of gender-fair play options. So much of children’s toys and games are marketed “for boys” or “for girls,” effectively separating boys and girls by their gender, artificially shaping boys’ and girls’ developing interests according to gender, and contributing to children’s developing gender stereotypes. Dividing toys and play by gender can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. When told something is “for boys,” girls avoid that toy or game, shaping their interests accordingly, and miss out on the skills they could develop from that mode of play. The same is true in reverse for boys. This gender division of interests can eventually extend well beyond play, to school subjects and aspirations, and even to future career aspirations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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