The Impact of Media on Children

Abstract

Disney Princess movies and Nickelodeon television shows serve as powerful cultural texts that shape children's understanding of gender. While they often reinforce traditional gender roles - depicting princesses as passive and desirous of love or male characters as assertive leaders - these media also subvert such norms through independent heroines like Moana or assertive female leads in Nickelodeon shows such as Bella and the Bulldogs. This research project examines the simultaneous reinforcement and disruption of gender expectations in these media, considering their influence on children's self-perception, career aspirations, and socialization. This study presents findings from surveys conducted among the students at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in order to explore gendered experiences and perceptions in children's media. The results highlight key themes regarding the media's role in perpetuating gender stereotypes. Moreover, the participants noted that the prevalence of such stereotypes in media negatively impacts child development, thereby illuminating the intricate dynamics of gender construction in contemporary society.