It is more natural for boys to wrestle, and play with action figures. Clothes and behavior play a vital part in the construction of gender identity. It is not a far- fetched notion for children to use toys to actively convey their gender. At a young age, gender inappropriate behavior can cause one to get shunned by fellow peers. Crossing the gender lines can be a risky venture for someone, even early on in the adolescent life.
Parents are the first examples children use to gauge what is acceptable or right.
If they always see their mother washing the dishes and doing other domestic activities, they are going to interpret this as being a female job. Likewise, if they see their father mowing the lawn and going to work, a young boy in that household is going to assume that one day he will need to fashion his own life according to what he witnesses at home. In all likelihood his parents are doing what their parents did, and continuing an ongoing cycle of gender roles. Even simple things such as the way a parent talks to a child or the kinds of activities the parents encourages the child to participate in can influence a child s identity of masculinity or femininity. Its crucial that a parent does not emphasize his son playing sports over his daughter playing sports.