Since the 17th century or even earlier, children have been found playing with dolls. In the 1900s, women were expected to raise children and have happy husbands. Since many dolls were baby dolls in the 40s and 50s, these stereotypes were then brought to children through the dolls they played with.
Dolls in History
Paper doll cutout book from 1950s. Image is depicting a baby.
Curtesy of unknown - 1930s
Engraving from 17th century of a girl holding what appears to be a doll. Curtesy of American Eras.
Paper Dolls
In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, the majority of dolls targeted at girls were baby dolls or bride dolls. Companies tried to encourage girls to be mothers from a very early age. One of the only exceptions was paper dolls which were typically adult dolls that you could paste different clothes on. Those were some of the options children had if they didn't want to play as a mother.