With regard to the pink element of childhood, I do find myself groaning as Lego produces pastel colours and beauty salons; this has to be the result of extensive and expensive market research. The little princess 'culture' doesn't seem to be changing at all.
I was a wimpy girl, but enjoyed playing with my brother's Meccano when he'd let me. Had we been given woodwork and metalwork lessons at school, I'd have been a great deal better at many things now, I'm sure. There may be a better balance at school now, but the commercial influences outside school are greater too.