Gender stereotypes

[TraderTif]

Let the kids play with what they want - that's how we all learn.  I've got no problems, in general, with it.

That said, if one of my children was struggling with their gender identity - their sense of masculinity or femininity - then yes, I might attempt to steer them toward toys that will help them develop their gender identity, because culture and society does still put certain gender associations with certain toys. 

(Incidentally, when the heck did Legos get so "gendered"???  I always remember them as just giant tubs of blocks - I guess I'm too old to have had any of the themed playsets.  But I was looking at some in a store the other day, and they all seemed either "super-macho" or "super-frilly-girly" sets.  When did that happen??  I thought Lego was originally specifically designed to be gender-neutral??  Or am I misremembering that book on toy history that I read......)

[Twilight Pink]

I'm female, I played with dinosaurs, liked the color blue, had "violent episodes" with my toys when I was little  and I wanna be the breadwinner of my family (If I end up having one)... I know no gender roles   

[kuzronk]

My daughter I am struggling more with though - she is mad on dolls and pushchairs and handbags, hair bands etc, she wants to copy me in everything I do (including putting make up, which I wont let her do) and shes only 2. I find myself sitting down trying to convince her to play with construction toys like Duplo as I want her to be an engineer when she grows up!

I can understand not making her wear make up but you shouldn't force her to become something later on in life.
Most girls who act like this in their young childhood end up growing out of it or tonning it down a bit in a couple of years. They just likely see people on TV/irl who act like this and think they need to act like it as well.