Gender Stereotypes in Children’s TV Programs
Read the Article: Review the attached article, “Gender Representations on Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon Broadcasts in the United States,” by Hentges and Case.
Watch TV Programs: Select and watch two cartoons or live-action television programs for young children (no movies, and shows must be no more than 5 years old). Choose one program from the Disney Channel (including Disney+), and another from either Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network.
Write Your Paper: In a structured paragraph or paper format, address the following points:
Shows Watched: Identify the two shows you watched.
Gender Representation: Describe how males and females were represented in these shows. Use the criteria from Tables 1 and 2 in the article to evaluate the characters’ behaviors and traits. Discuss whether any characters were portrayed in gender-stereotyped roles, if males and females were equally represented in exciting plot activities, and whether the behaviors, attitudes, and characteristics of male and female characters were strongly gender stereotyped.
Comparison to Article: Relate the characters, actions, or situations in your shows to the article’s hypotheses and findings. Explain whether your observations match the article’s findings, and if they differ, describe how.
Impact on Children: Use the article and your textbook to explain how these media depictions might influence young children’s gender typing, perceptions, and behaviors. Cite both the article and the textbook using APA format for in-text citations.
References: Include a separate references page in APA format, citing the article, textbook, and any other resources you use (additional resources are optional).
Formatting and Submission: Your paper should be a minimum of 4 typed, double-spaced pages in 12-point font, plus separate title and reference pages, all formatted in APA style. Ensure the paper is written entirely in your own words; do not copy and paste quotes from the article or textbook or use AI-generated content. The paper is worth 50 points; refer to the grading rubric for more details.