Differences that IMO have nothing to do with getting him a toy they clearly knew he wouldn't like because the one he asked for happened to be pink.

The impression I got was very clearly "squelch this behavior" rather than "provide him options." Cuz, hey, I'm all for options. I built legos and played with dolls at that age and my parents kind of gently pushed me more towards the legos, and I'm okay with that. But I wouldn't be if they told me I could only play with the legos.

And the word "unnatural" kind of rubbed me the wrong way. And describing preference for the color pink: just the color, as a "problem."