Final answer:
Dolls in some cultural party settings symbolize transitions to adulthood, convey cultural values, and reflect gender roles and social norms, often used in coming-of-age ceremonies like quinceañeras.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presence of a doll in some cultural party settings can serve various symbolic purposes, with the most common being to mark important life transitions or convey cultural values. In several cultures, dolls are integrated into rituals that represent the transition of a child to adulthood, reflecting social norms and expectations of gender roles. This is seen in traditional coming-of-age ceremonies, such as quinceañeras or debutante balls, where dolls might be given to signify the last remnants of childhood before entering a new stage of life. Additionally, the representation of dolls in a party may encapsulate cultural diversity and even touch upon collective cultural practices regarding how children learn gender roles through play, as observed in the choices of toys and the feedback parents provide to reinforce gender-appropriate behavior.