Sofia Sidner, Option 3

In Amy Tan’s short story “Rules of the Game”, there is a general theme that touches on the idea of gender differences and how these differences play out in your life. In this short story, it discusses a young girl named Meimei and her passion for the game of chess. Not only is she passionate about chess, but she is also extremely talented at chess. She wins tournaments and was close to becoming a grand master at chess. However, in the story, when she approaches a man in the park playing chess and asks if he wants to play, he responds with “…’Little sister, it’s been awhile since I’ve played with dolls’” (Tan 3). Why would the old man assume that Meimei was asking him to play with dolls and not chess?

His assumption can be contributed to the fact that since birth, certain stereotypes are made with children and the types of toys they play with based on their gender. In an article written by Eleanor Muffit, it talks about how gender stereotypes are attached to children even before birth - parents paint girls’ rooms pink and paint boys’ rooms blue. When they purchase toys for their children, as Muffit states, you either “…take the blue lane, with miniature helicopters, chemistry sets and binoculars; or take the pink lane, with kitchens, dolls, and make up kits” (Muffit 1). It is rare for a little girl to be seen playing with “boy toys” such as trucks, legos, or tractors.

 

Gender stereotyping with toys is the main reason that the old man in the park assumes that Meimei wants to play with dolls. It probably never occurred to the man that Meimei is interested in other things besides dolls – especially chess. It is unfortunate that these stereotypes are so prevalent, not only in the short story but in today’s world. It is through these stereotypes that others judge people and often make inaccurate assumptions about someone’s likes, dislikes, opinions, or personality. This story is an excellent example of how we can break out of the gender stereotypes and how important it is to not let stereotypes affect you or what you are interested in.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10498316/Nows-the-time-to-end-the-boys-and-girls-toys-gender-divide.html