O “brinquedo de cozinha” e a reprodução de estereótipos de gênero na infância

Abstract

A toy is more than just a simple object; it is a fundamental tool for play, allowing a child to explore and understand the world through a symbolic universe. This work investigates and seeks to understand specifically how the "play kitchen" toy contributes to the construction and reinforcement of gender stereotypes. This is an applied, qualitative study, combining a literature review with field research conducted in three toy stores in the city of Chapecó-SC. The analysis focused on seven models of play kitchens found, based on photographic records. The results show that these toys are explicitly directed at the female gender. The conclusion points out that the play kitchen cannot be seen as a neutral object, as it carries the values and expectations of the culture that produced it. Thus, the toy becomes a powerful mechanism for the reproduction of social roles, predominantly associating females with domestic spaces and caregiving tasks.