The Social Construction of Gender in Cartoons
November 7, 2010
Sociology 134, Section 1
The Social Construction of Gender in Cartoons
Defining what is “normal” for a specific gender role in society is a very skeptical classification. Though the roles of men and women might seem obvious, most scientists distinguish a huge difference in gender and sex. Gender roles are not biologically determined, but vary according to the culture, and they are socially assembled, either internally or externally. While observing the external influence through children’s cartoons and commercials in television media, it is clear that children are taught at a very young age the accepted roles each gender should portray. Before beginning the experiment, outside research was needed to learn more about typical gender roles in society and how they are displayed in children through media today. In Tim Curry, Robert Jiobu, and Ken Schwirian’s book Sociology, they discuss the inequalities of gender. In chapter nine, they argue that the great social transformation plays a part in why we live in a male-dominate society. Major biological differences between the two sexes are height, weight, amount of body fat, body hair, and genitals (Curry, 244) but the specific characteristics that classify females are called feminine and the characteristics that classify men are masculine. Both characteristics have very stereotypical views in the media, especially in children’s television. Some people might think that these stereotypes begin at school or at a certain age, but it starts at birth. The baby is immediately put into a blue or pink blanket based on their sex. While examining many children shows, five main things are watched to gain a deeper meaning in how gender roles are portrayed to youth. The living space, play, dress, school, and advertisements are the biggest parts of a typical show. These are also called the agents of socialization, which are things that teach gender roles and identities. The information Curry, Robert, and Kent
Sociology 134, Section 1
The Social Construction of Gender in Cartoons
Defining what is “normal” for a specific gender role in society is a very skeptical classification. Though the roles of men and women might seem obvious, most scientists distinguish a huge difference in gender and sex. Gender roles are not biologically determined, but vary according to the culture, and they are socially assembled, either internally or externally. While observing the external influence through children’s cartoons and commercials in television media, it is clear that children are taught at a very young age the accepted roles each gender should portray. Before beginning the experiment, outside research was needed to learn more about typical gender roles in society and how they are displayed in children through media today. In Tim Curry, Robert Jiobu, and Ken Schwirian’s book Sociology, they discuss the inequalities of gender. In chapter nine, they argue that the great social transformation plays a part in why we live in a male-dominate society. Major biological differences between the two sexes are height, weight, amount of body fat, body hair, and genitals (Curry, 244) but the specific characteristics that classify females are called feminine and the characteristics that classify men are masculine. Both characteristics have very stereotypical views in the media, especially in children’s television. Some people might think that these stereotypes begin at school or at a certain age, but it starts at birth. The baby is immediately put into a blue or pink blanket based on their sex. While examining many children shows, five main things are watched to gain a deeper meaning in how gender roles are portrayed to youth. The living space, play, dress, school, and advertisements are the biggest parts of a typical show. These are also called the agents of socialization, which are things that teach gender roles and identities. The information Curry, Robert, and Kent
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