Sometime in the early Seventies, gender-free toys were briefly a popular idea. So at Christmas on the California beach in 1972, we downplayed the dolls with frilly dresses and loaded up Santa's sack with toy trucks and earth movers for our three daughters.

In this quote, Tom Brokaw reflects on a moment from the early Seventies when gender-free toys were briefly in fashion. During this time, there was a growing awareness of the limitations placed on children by traditional gender roles, which often dictated what toys they should play with. In response to this, gender-free toys aimed to provide children with a wider range of possibilities, regardless of their gender. Brokaw recounts a specific instance from Christmas in 1972, where he and his family chose to embrace this concept by gifting their three daughters toy trucks and earth movers—typically considered masculine toys—rather than the traditional dolls with frilly dresses.

Brokaw’s decision to avoid giving his daughters stereotypical gifts like dolls reflects a broader cultural shift during that time toward challenging traditional gender roles. The 1970s saw the rise of feminism and an increasing push for gender equality, including in the kinds of toys children were encouraged to play with. By choosing toys typically associated with boys, Brokaw and his family were attempting to break away from these limiting gender expectations, giving their daughters the opportunity to engage with a broader range of activities.

The quote also illustrates how cultural trends often influence personal decisions, especially during the holiday season. Christmas, a time traditionally centered around giving gifts, became a moment for Brokaw to challenge the norms of his time and make a statement about gender and equality. While the idea of gender-free toys was short-lived, it reflects the desire for a more open and inclusive approach to child-rearing, where children are not confined to gendered expectations in their play and development.

Ultimately, Tom Brokaw’s reflection on this moment in time shows how even small actions, like the choice of Christmas gifts, can serve as a response to larger societal shifts. By embracing the concept of gender-free toys, Brokaw contributed to the changing cultural conversation about gender roles, demonstrating how personal decisions can align with or challenge broader social movements.