Final answer:
By the age of four, children are aware of gender-specific toys and often choose ones that align with traditional gender roles due to societal reinforcement and expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
By the age of four, children are convinced that certain toys are appropriate for one gender but not the other. Cross-cultural studies have shown that children are aware of gender roles by age two or three and are deeply ingrained in these roles by age four or five. They learn these roles through socialization, garnering cues from societal values, beliefs, and attitudes, which lead to gender stereotyping and eventually sexism. Children pick up on these roles very quickly, often choosing toys that align with their gender identity due to societal reinforcement and the expectation of conforming to traditional masculine or feminine toys.