Why do girls like dolls?

My two daughters much prefered the soft toys and dolls when under 4years old, even when they went to the toy shops they had their choice in toys, but always chose the girlie type, such in Lego, they would always choose from the girls selection,

But when older say at about 7years old, both girls started to want to experiment in action toys for boys.

Some of my children followed the stereotypes,some didn't.My older girls had loads of dolls,but were as interested in the cars.Arthur knew what cars were from the time he was 9 months.He'd sit and push them backwards and forwards doing brrmm noises.Show him a doll,he'd whack it and throw it on the floor.I actually bought him a soft doll when he was that age,and it's never been played with.

With my younger girls,Arwen has dolls and all the accessories but you're more likely to find she's sneaked into Arthur's room to play with his castle and knights.Matilda on the other hand loves dollies,she's always feeding dolly,taking her for a walk.

Our cooking toys get played with by all the children,same with Lego.

I always wanted to have all toys for both sexes cos I can remember being told I wasn't allowed Star Wars figures,a BMX bike or an Action Man like my brothers.The boy next door would do anything to come over to our house to  play with the dollies.No one messed with stereotypes in the dark ages.Don't know what the children surveyed were used to having at home,maybe they just went for the familiar choice.

I have 4 children, 2 of each so there is a good mixture of toys in my house, my boys are definatly alot more boystress than the girls, my youngest is 15 months and is a boy he loves his cars and dinasours etc , however he is always carrying around my eldest daughters doll and sit and cuddles it and sings too it. He is very boystress unless he has the baby when he is very calm. so he also knows about nurture the same way my other 3 do.

I think the kids in the study probably just went for the toys which were like the ones they had at home.