Caring for a virtual pet can be used to teach children of all ages to take care of another being on their own, and both boys and girls could benefit from this. However, Tamagotchi marketers have chosen to focus on a female demographic by appealing to them with girly colors, glitter, and sparkle. If at one time Tamagotchis were more neutral in color, they have now been decorated in a stereotypically girly fashion to attract young girls to play, and deter boys from playing with them altogether in fear of facing judgment from their peers. This leaves us wondering who is at fault, the marketer or society itself for setting gender norms in the first place? It is truly a shame because Tamagotchis have the potential to be great educational toys for teaching parental and social skills to all children, boys
Caring for a virtual pet can be used to teach children of all ages to take care of another being on their own, and both boys and girls could benefit from this. However, Tamagotchi marketers have chosen to focus on a female demographic by appealing to them with girly colors, glitter, and sparkle. If at one time Tamagotchis were more neutral in color, they have now been decorated in a stereotypically girly fashion to attract young girls to play, and deter boys from playing with them altogether in fear of facing judgment from their peers. This leaves us wondering who is at fault, the marketer or society itself for setting gender norms in the first place? It is truly a shame because Tamagotchis have the potential to be great educational toys for teaching parental and social skills to all children, boys