Well so says the BBC and a host of other websites that have picked up on this ‘news’. And just like the global warming debate, commentators add their own ‘spin’ on the story and it’s become fact full stop, with headlines like ‘Why girls are naturally drawn to dolls as soon as they can crawl’

OK so I haven’t seen the original study and maybe, perhaps, it’s been taken out of context and a crucial caveat has been left out from the reports but…

from what I’ve read the study involved 90 infants ranging from 9 months to 36 months. These infants will already have been conditioned – the girls will have been dressed in frilly pink outfits and given dolls and the boys dressed in ‘boy’ colours and given toy cars. So it’s no surprise that when placed a ‘metre away’ from a collection of toys they pick out the toys that they were familiar with.

One of the researchers, Dr Brenda Todd, said: “We were surprised to find the differences so early.” adding: ”Children of this age are already subject to a great deal of socialisation, but these findings are consistent with the idea of an intrinsic bias in children to show interest in particular kinds of toys.”

‘Children of this age are already subject to a great deal of socialisation’ – Exactly !

‘but these findings are consistent with the idea of an intrinsic bias in children to show interest in particular kinds of toys.’ – But no ! The intrinsic bias is there from birth set in place by the parents, relatives, friends and society.

As soon as my girls were born they were receiving gifts from others that were stereotypical. And it continues – a recent favourite from a distant aunt has been pink pyjamas with High School Musical emblazoned all over.

If what has been reported is essentially what the study concludes then it’s achieved nothing and Dr Todd has undermined it by acknowledging the socialisation that will already have taken place in the youngest children in this study.

But I talk a load of rubbish too.  What colour starter bike did I chose for one daughter – yes pink. And the youngest recently got one of those funky ‘two wheels’ at the front micro scooter… in pink. But the standard colours are pink and blue if you want a different colour it’s a ‘limited edition’ and £7 pounds extra!