Stereotypically girls play house and Barbie’s while boys play more aggressive games, like war and wrestling, due to social norms. They can still do this with the Splashradio, but it doesn’t limit them to the stereotypical roles. It will allow them to easily cross the line between designated male only and female only games. Right now it is still too difficult to market towards girls alone, but since the Splashradio can be used in any situation, it should be easily marked for both sexes (Cassell 16). Just because games like Purple Moon and Hawaii High failed don’t mean all will. Girls can still play with romance plots, secrets, Barbie’s and other traditional interests if they wish, but they aren’t limited to them (Cassell 21). Cassell and Jenkins suggested it is best not to design gender specific games, because they will tell users how they are supposed to act and what they should like. The Splashradio leaves these decisions entirely up to the user. Girls may seek “complexity in terms of character relations, not in terms of action elements” like boys do, but they will be able to create this with the Splashradio. Simplifying games or making things pink, like the tanks in “Barbie Quake” won’t help girls enjoy using the Splashradio (Cassell 26). The genders are different; they think differently, like different things, and in some cases want to play differently. Girls and boys should be given equal opportunities to explore and play with the same toys and they will have this chance with the Splashradio.
Typically boys tend to explore and roam more than girls do (Jenkins 267). Boys are, stereotypically, more outdoor-oriented and girls are more indoor-oriented (Jenkins 268). In the past, boys have grown up more independent, they have gained recognition for risky play, were more competitive, violent, aggressive, and participated in more role-playing activities than girls did (Jenkins 270-274). Girls grew up being more dependent, house ridden, quiet, and conservative. According to Jenkins, girls are more interested in romance novels, secrets, and gossiping. However, in the 21st century girls aren’t as interested in the romance novels and slow “exploring” games, like Purple Moon (Jenkins 284). Some girls still choose to play stereotypical games, but others are interested in competitive games, just like boys.
Gender roles are not as strict as they used to be and girls are discovering many new forms of play that earlier generations thought were only for boys. Girls and boys may use the Splashradio to play games like Star Wars, football, or Marco Polo. However, it can still be used to play with dolls or house, as well, but the device is not gender specific and does not limit the kind of games people play relating to gender. Only social experiences and past stereotypes will control the types of play people participate in while using the Splashradio.
One major reason boys and girls will play differently with the Splashradio and other toys is gender segregation. “Not only do preschool-age children tend to self-segregate by sex, but that segregation leads to the development of different sets of social skills, styles, expectations, and preferences” (Cohen 1). Observational studies have proven that the more children play with same sex peers, the more they follow gender stereotypes created by society. Researchers Carol Lynn Martin and Richard A. Fabes of Arizona State call this phenomenon “the social dosage effect”, implying how a greater “dosage” of gender segregated play will increase gender differences (Cohen
2). It is important for children to experience mixed-gender play in order to eliminate falling into gender stereotypes, however, when playgroups include both genders, another problem may arise. Girls aren’t as active in play when boys are around, because boys tend to “monopolize” toys (Maccoby 514). Powlishta’s research shows when two kids are alone boys get more play time with the toy, in this case a movie viewer. When an adult is present boys are more inhibited and girls acquire at least equal access to the toys (Maccoby 515). This means that in coed situations girls may not play with the Splashradio as much as boys, unless an adult is present.
