Doll Choice in Young Children: Representing Self through Skin Color

Abstract

This study is an exploratory study that examines skin color identification in children aged six to nine. Results show that in all, there was no overall preference for either color doll. No significant age differences were found according to theme or reason given for the doll selected. However, child gender was highly predictive of child doll choice with boys more likely to choose pale dolls. Using chi-square tests, significant results were provided for socioeconomic status (SES). Results indicate that boys from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and who attended public school were more likely to choose the pale doll. Also, there was a significant association between school type and SES. The school and SES differences were mainly attributed to a comparatively better English comprehension on the part of the private schools and children from high SES backgrounds and the seeking of high status symbols from the public school children as a result of low SES. Recommendations are made for further studies to investigate more fully the reasons children give for their choices as well as measure the relationship between doll choice and other socio-demographic variables and indices of psychological functioning.