"Smarten Up and Act Dumb, Sister!" Representations of Sexuality and Gender in Children's Television Media

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Fairchild, Emily

Keywords

Gender, Sexuality, Media, Children

Area of Concentration

Sociology

Abstract

Media products created primarily for children must meet standards of acceptability that preclude sexual content. However, previous research indicates that representations of sexuality are present in children�s media. I examine this paradox through a content analysis of children's live-action television shows, with attention to the highly normative nature of the sexuality that is present. My sample includes 21 episodes from The Suite Life on Deck, the most popular show among 9-14 year olds on The Disney Channel as of Spring 2011. My data reflects the frequent heteronormativity and strictly delineated gender roles found in the content of such television programming. By examining the ways in which sexuality and gender are represented in this medium, I attempt to deconstruct normative assumptions regarding sexuality and gender.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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