Children's Gender and Use of Space at Home

Abstract

Previous studies show that the formation of children's gender roles are primarily affected by their family, the home environment, friends and their choice of toys. The most vital and primary factor with regards to gender is their domestic life within the home environment. This study discusses possible issues connected to gender-based play and toys, and relations with children's space use at home. Research shows that gender-neutral children's spaces may assist in providing children spaces that enhance freedom and creativity. Thus, this study was conducted with Turkish children between the age of 7-13 focusing on children's play and lives at home. The study analysed the relationship between space use and gender identity of children and examined on how it affected children's behaviour. In addition, the study concentrated on how parents affect their children's choices while the children selected and define a specific space like a room or corner in their homes. The study progressed with three instruments, which are; schematic plan/ diagram, photography, and one-to-one interviews with both children and parents. The whole process was recorded on video with the consent of the parents. According to the results, children were found to be more willing to play and spend their times in their living rooms. While girls were more interested to represent themselves in social spaces, boys were more reserved than girls. The children generally preferred to spend time close to family members. Therefore, if there is an intention of creating gender neutral spaces for children, parents should consider such issues such as, decreasing the gender-typed colours, and objects, providing flexibility regarding the transparency of the space increasing the interaction between parents and children, and giving children the option of being both inside of the space and also outside of the space. This study was completed with the aim of reducing gender differences of children's spaces and creating guidelines for interior designers and parents in this regard. This is believed to have significant value in designing independent spaces with interior design principles for children who wish to identify a space that is truly their own in the home environment.