Stages of life

Photos

By Heather McDougall

As early as infancy gender specific items are established and are distinctly different from one another. Gender specific items differ in color and purpose. Submissive stuffed animals such as bunnies or teddy bears would be given to girls and masculine animals such as lions would be given to boys. If attending a baby and the sex of the child to be was known you would get a gender appropriate object. If one was having a boy, you would not purchase pink clothing and doll for these items are not associated with little boys. Items that are associated with boys are items are usually blue, green, or red. Stuffed animals that connect with this gender tend to be those which are dominant and strong. An example of this would be a stuffed animal lion. For little girls items that are usually pink or purple are popular with that specific gender. An example of an appropriate stuffed animal for a girl would be a more submissive object such as a doll or bunny.

Stages of Life
During childhood these gender specific items carry over. The colors are usually still the same and activities that children participate in are gender appropriate as well. During this stage of life children tend to mimic what their elders are doing who are the same gender. Boys will usually participate in activities that are more mechanical and hands on. They may participate in sports or play with cars or trains. For girls it is quite the opposite. They tend to be involved in more gender specific role that our society associates with women. Young girls may play dress up or house. These activities prepare them for future gender roles in which they will be categorized in.

Adolescence is a relatively new stage that was established in our society which revolves mainly around the changing individual. This particular group is going through the most changes both physically, mentally, and emotionally. Though the majority of their time will be spent in an educational facility, their focus will be on themselves and their friends. Throughout this stage of life, both males and females are trying to fit in at school and/or in society. Adolescent girls are very aware of their personal appearance. They have to have the right cloths, hair, make up, and friends. The media as well as their peers tell them what they should ware and what activities they should participate in. For many adolescent girls it is important to stay in the social loop whether it is their friends, family or the outside world. The internet and cell phones are their items of choice. Adolescent boys on the other hand may not necessarily care about the same items that are important to girls. They are more into getting down and dirty on the football field than hearing the latest school gossip. Many adolescent boys are involved with some sort of activity because being active is important to them. Out on the field or in the weight room it its all about who can hit the hardest or squat the most weight; this is how they try to prove their masculinity. It is always competition of who can be the fastest, strongest, smelliest, and the most hairy… its all about who can be the manliest.


Adulthood is the stage of life which is linked to the most responsibilities. During this stage, children leave their parents and begin their own families. While their parents may continue to be a large part of their life they are now the leaders of their own family; with worries such are money, communities, careers, and schools.

Old age is the latter stage of life. At this point it is most likely that all of their children have moved out and started families of their own. People in this stage are either in retirement or close to retirement focusing their energies on hobbies they did not have time for earlier in their lives. This could include spending time with their grandchildren knitting, fishing, traveling, and general relaxation.

mwalsh @ April 14, 2008