Two girls, 8-year-old Molly and 4-year-old Anna were told this story: "Jessie is a 5-year-old girl whose best friend is a boy. Jessie likes to play with trucks." They were then asked how much Jessie would like to play with masculine and feminine toys. How would you expect Molly and Anna to reply?

Question

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Children's understanding of gender roles and stereotypes evolves with age. At 4 years old, Anna is likely to rely more on gender stereotypes, assuming girls prefer feminine toys. Molly, being 8, might recognize that interests can cross traditional gender lines, especially given the story's hint about Jessie's preference for trucks, a traditionally masculine toy.

Two Girls, 8-Year-Old Molly and 4-Year-Old Anna Were Told This