I have a similar story as Rose. But, my scrutiny for wanting to play with the boys didn't only come from my peers but from my family. I was always called a tomboy or told that I was too messy, and sometimes even told that no boy was going to want to date a rough girl like me. Therefore, I was hindered from playing how I wanted to play. Due to these play limitations based on gender, I attribute much of my shyness.

I would have to agree with changing9's post.  I believe she brings up some very important ascpects of contraint on play, and that time is certainly one of those things we may not immedidately consider.  Likewise I agree that modern society limits play by porviding so many techinlogical spcaes of play.  I agree wirh both her and Weilla that this forum for play is not the same as interacting directly with the world around you.

I agree with what “External Conflicts” stated, that "social interaction can bring out negative sequences" and that "play is a learned behavior that is largely dependent upon external factors”. Yes, indeed we should grant kids freedom of play to let them grow happily and not contain themselves. However, meanwhile, kids are really susceptible, like white papers that are waiting for colors splashing on. They can’t distinguish between good and bad, so they need experienced people to lead them towards the right direction. At this time, limitation must occur.

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary play means, "to do activities for fun or enjoyment" (Merriam Webster Dictionary 1). Though this definition sounds positive, I wonder, "Who's fun? Whose enjoyment?" Ally begs the question whether or not there should be a limit on play.

When I was in kindergarden I loved playing with legos. They had a station where you could build whatever you wanted and I loved to make large houses for lego families to live in. At one point, there were two boys who wanted to use the legos I was playing with. They came up to me and told me I shouldn't be playing with legos because they were "boy toys". They made me feel like I couldn't play a certain way because I was a girl. Nowadays, they have a new branch of lego sets called "lego friends" that are marketed towards girls.

Play is going to vary across every culture depending on what is accepted as a norm. Unfortunately this in itself creates limits for play, but then there is also the parental factor. While it makes sense for parents to at times be over protective of children and infants, this sometimes creates restrictions of the multiple opportunities for learning and developing new skills. Since I am not a parent I cannot speak on what limits should be placed on children because I havent faced that responsibility. But as an aunt of 3 nephews, I go out of my way to protect them.