Question

If you_______________ (to go) shopping in any toy store, you can see clearly thedifferent games and toys for boys and girls: there are a lot of pink princesses and dollsfor girls; and dark-coloured cars, guns and soldiers for boys. In fact,__________________ (there/this/it) is difficult to buy a toy for a girl that is not pink.Some people think that a lot of pink is bad for girls. Also, Sam Palmer, author ofToxic Childhood, admits she is very worried about it as most girls over the age of one__________________ (to be) crazy about this colour. According__________________ (to/on/at) some psychologists, this happens for two reasons.Firstly, most companies offer too many products in pink. Thus, parents__________________ (not to allow) by producers to choose another colour. Secondly,parents can be blamed too, as many think that their little daughters look__________________ (cutely/cute/cutily) in a pink outfit. Some parents are concerned, too. Vanessa Grey, thirty-two, has two girls underfour. “Pink says that you are soft and gentle; whereas, blue says that you are strongand powerful. I want my daughters to grow strong and powerful,” she says. Hence, alot of parents wonder why __________________ (do companies promote/doescompanies promote/companies promote) colours just for boys or just for girls. However, not everyone __________________ (to think) there is somethingwrong with so __________________ (many/much/a lot of) pink. Grayson Turner is afather of three girls and he is not worried at all. “My girls used to love pink when theywere little, but as they get older, they change,” he says. And let’s__________________ (not to forget) that it’s only since the 1940s that people havestarted dressing girls in pink – before that it was a colour for boys

Answer 1

1. go

2. it

3. are

4. to

5. aren't allowed

6. cute

7. companies promote

8. thinks

9. much

10. not forget

Answer 2

If you go shopping in any toy store, you can see clearly the different games and toys for boys and girls: there are a lot of pink princesses and dolls for girls, and dark-colored cars, guns, and soldiers for boys. In fact, it is difficult to buy a toy for a girl that is not pink. Some people think that a lot of pink is bad for girls. Also, Sam Palmer, author of "Toxic Childhood," admits she is very worried about it as most girls over the age of one are crazy about this color. According to some psychologists, this happens for two reasons. Firstly, most companies offer too many products in pink, thus parents are not allowed by producers to choose another color. Secondly, parents can be blamed too, as many think that their little daughters look cutely in a pink outfit. Some parents are concerned too. Vanessa Grey, thirty-two, has two girls under four. "Pink says that you are soft and gentle; whereas, blue says that you are strong and powerful. I want my daughters to grow strong and powerful," she says. Hence, a lot of parents wonder why companies promote colors just for boys or just for girls. However, not everyone thinks there is something wrong with so much pink. Grayson Turner is a father of three girls and he is not worried at all. "My girls used to love pink when they were little, but as they get older, they change," he says. And let's not forget that it's only since the 1940s that people have started dressing girls in pink – before that, it was a color for boys.

The Prevalence of Pink Toys for Girls

When shopping in toy stores, it is evident that there is a wide selection of pink toys and games specifically marketed towards girls. This includes pink princesses, dolls, and other feminine-themed toys . In fact, it can be challenging to find toys for girls that are not pink in color. This prevalence of pink toys has raised concerns among some individuals who believe that it may have negative effects on girls .

Concerns about the Overemphasis on Pink

Sam Palmer, the author of "Toxic Childhood," expresses worry about the strong attraction many girls have towards the color pink. She highlights that this fascination often begins at a young age, with girls over the age of one showing a strong preference for pink . Some psychologists attribute this phenomenon to two main factors.

Factors Contributing to the Pink Preference

According to some psychologists, the overemphasis on pink toys for girls can be attributed to two primary reasons. Firstly, many companies offer a disproportionate number of products in pink, limiting the choices available to parents who may want to opt for different colors . This lack of variety reinforces the association between girls and the color pink. Secondly, parents themselves can contribute to the preference for pink by believing that their daughters look cute in pink outfits . This parental preference further reinforces the idea that pink is the appropriate color for girls.

Differing Opinions on the Pink Phenomenon

Opinions on the prevalence of pink toys for girls vary. Some parents share concerns about the limited options available and question why companies promote specific colors for boys or girls . Vanessa Grey, a mother of two girls, expresses her desire for her daughters to grow up strong and powerful, challenging the notion that pink represents softness and gentleness . On the other hand, not everyone sees an issue with the abundance of pink toys. Grayson Turner, a father of three girls, is not worried and believes that children's preferences can change as they grow older .

Historical Perspective on Pink as a Gendered Color

It is worth noting that the association of pink with girls is a relatively recent phenomenon. Prior to the 1940s, pink was not exclusively associated with girls, and it was even considered a color for boys . The shift in societal perception and the gendering of colors has led to the current prevalence of pink as a color associated with girls.

In conclusion, the prevalence of pink toys for girls in toy stores has raised concerns among some individuals. The overemphasis on pink can be attributed to various factors, including the limited choices offered by companies and parental preferences. However, opinions on the matter differ, with some parents expressing concerns while others see no issue with the abundance of pink toys. It is important to recognize that the association of pink with girls is a relatively recent development in history.