Examining gender in play therapy.

Abstract

Gendered language and toy preference and use were analyzed in an observational research study with over 400 minutes of play therapy sessions with 24 adult and 22 child participants. Observations were focused around what type of toys were most selected by male compared to female children. In addition, observation research was used to determine what toys are identified as female, male, or gender neutral by both adults and children. Female children played with more toys overall and with a greater variety of toys than the male child participants. Male children chose to play with a far greater percentage of masculine toys than did female children. Across the 4 participant groups, male child, female child, male adult, and female adult, all 4 groups labeled toys as male most frequently. In addition, both the male and female children labeled toys associated with acting out or aggression as predominantly male. These findings were in keeping with expectations around learned gender stereotypes found in numerous other studies.

The multicultural play therapy room: Intentional decision making in selecting play therapy toys and materials.

“…Other cultural aspects, such as age and gender, and their relationship with toys used in CCPT have been explored in research (Ray et al, 2013; Stutey et al, 2020). Ray et al (2013) observed that children of different ages and both genders frequently played with all categories of toys (see categories defined by Kottman, 2011), including family/nurture, aggressive/scary, expressive, and pretend/fantasy toys.…”

“…Children of both genders played with expressive and pretend/fantasy toys equally. Stutey et al (2020) reported that males were more likely to play with masculine toys and females tended to play with a wider variety of toys. Findings from both studies supported the premise that children may have different preferences for toys based on their gender identity, highlighting the importance of toy selection related to gender.…”

Transgender and gender-expansive affirming child-centered play therapy.

“…Interestingly, even CCPT play therapists are not immune from these perspectives. Stutey et al (2020) examined gender in play therapy and found CCPT play therapists in training “subtly reinforced stereotypical gender-based play” (p.29) which can certainly be problematic for all children but especially those with TGE identities that desperately need affirmation. The authors also noted how offering stereotypical gender-congruent toys can of course be limited to the child but can also “influence the children toward gender-normed play” (p. 29).…”

“…Additionally, play therapists should ensure that playrooms are arranged and travel play therapy kits are stocked by mixing stereotypical female toys and stereotypical male toys as well as offering many gender-neutral options (Stutey et al, 2020). This invites children to play with any and all toys while decreasing gender bias in the playroom.…”