Read an article recently about how Chinese parents prefer their children play with LEGO than Barbie: https://www.economist.com/business/2019/07/27/why-chinese-pa...
It was very definitely my parents' policy. My sister and I had Duplo, Lego, wooden blocks, Lego Technic, Mecanno, a train set (sorry dad, "model railway"), K'Nex and board games.
Someone once gave my sister a doll. It's still in the original box in a cupboard in her room, and she's almost 30...