Why do girls play with dolls while boys get to play with action figures?
The difference is subtle but powerful.
The words we use shape our thoughts, dreams, and our reality:
Belinda Parmar, founder of Little Miss Geek, shared this graphic during her closing keynote speech at DevLearn 2014.
According to dictionary.com:
A doll is a small figure representing a baby or other human being, especially for use as a child’s toy.
Doll is slang for: (a)Â a pretty but expressionless or unintelligent woman; (b) a girl or woman, especially one who is considered attractive; (c) a boy or man who is considered attractive; (d) an affectionate term of address, as to a child or romantic partner (sometimes offensive when used to subordinates, especially by a male to a female).
An action figure is a toy figure with jointed, movable limbs, representing a character in a cartoon, movie, etc., or a real person or animal, often one known for exciting action or extraordinary powers.
From Neil deGrasse Tyson’s keynote speech at DevLearn 2014.
These words are the invisible molds that shape how we see ourselves and others.
Links to videos:
Neil deGrasse Tyson: http://www.elearningguild.com/conference-archive/index.cfm?id=5681
Belinda Parmer: http://www.elearningguild.com/conference-archive/index.cfm?id=5683
Tree of Learning 