Media Contribute to Children’s Formation of Stereotypical Images of their Gender

Introduction

The technological developments in modern society have enabled people to access large volumes of information (Lawrie et al., 2006). Individuals can interact through social media channels and watch numerous films and videos. Television commercials and shows also have a significant impact on children’s lives. Media encourages consumerism and affects how individuals interact with each other and put children at risk of becoming victims of their own gender stereotyping (Golden & Jacoby, 2018). Children are not wise enough to differentiate reality and fantasy in movies or commercials. Spending long durations on media platforms equip youngsters with a large amount of data, including gender roles and stereotypes. Children admire the characters in films, advertisements, and social media, and tend to imitate them or their lifestyles (Clark & Tiggemann, 2006). This work describes how media contributes to children’s formation of stereotypical images of their gender.

Media and Gender Stereotypes

Gender stereotyping in media involves identifying and replicating traits, and qualities of a specific group. Stereotypes make judgments based on the factors that they consider applicable to each gender. If children act opposite to the expectations of their gender, then they fail to adhere to the standards (Dittmar, Halliwell & Ive, 2006). The stereotypical images or traits accessed by children through the media affect how they interact and treat each other (Lawrie et al., 2006). A significant percentage of gender stereotypes are negatively affecting children’s lives. The constant exposure to concepts and ideas on the internet, movies, magazines, televisions, and radios is putting the lives of adolescents in danger and affects them psychologically (Davies & Hill, 2006). Most films present men as brave and strong, while females are viewed as weak and submissive. These concepts can negatively impact children’s development as boys grow to become hostile and aggressive, and girls show fearful traits. The perceptions from the media make adolescents think of what to be and how to behave. In most situations, these ideas lead to false, unrealistic expectations and harmful conclusions (Lawrie et al., 2006).

The contemporary issues regarding body awareness among youngsters have increased due to excessive exposure to media and the internet (Davies & Hill, 2006; Lawrie et al., 2006). Children view the movies, adverts, and television shows present bodies of their genders as physically fit when casts are more muscular for men (Ward & Harrison, 2005). As young boys turn into adulthood, they become dissatisfied with their body images and sizes and eager to develop muscles similar to what they see in the media. Davies and Hill (2006) report that the concept of women’s shapes has changed noticeably to rhyme with modern fashion trends. As a result, young girls are continuously becoming dissatisfied with their particular body shapes and sizes (Kirsch & Murnen, 2015). There is too much pressure on children to build a perfect body that may lead them to engage in unhealthy practices such as skin bleaching. According to Davies and Hill (2006), media teaches a 15-year-old girl that a slim and thin body makes her presentable in society as most people consider thinness an essential quality for women’s beauty.

Body dissatisfaction leads to lower self-esteem and negative thoughts among children, including disordered eating behaviours, depressing moods (Dittmar, Halliwell & Ive, 2006). In a study that involved girls aged between five and seven years, concepts gained from media made children with higher weights had low self-worth (Dittmar, Halliwell & Ive, 2006). The press is making girls develop the desires for slim bodies because the social networking outlets, films, magazines, and commercials are presenting an increase in weight as unfit (Ward & Harrison, 2005). Media is influencing how children form their identity. Many adolescents tend to copy the behaviours of the media personalities they consider to be their role models (Dittmar, Halliwell & Ive, 2006). They get dissatisfied with their current status and become angered by their body images (Clark & Tiggemann, 2006). These stereotypes influence children’s attitudes and lead to more aggression among discontented youngsters.

Studies reveal that about 60% of girls and 30% 0f boys are not satisfied with their body images and wish to alter their shapes (Lawler & Nixon, 2011). The exposure of children to the ideas presented in mass media concerning the aspects of beauty and body fitness affects how the young generation feels satisfied with life (Golden & Jacoby, 2018). In the modern age, mass media is the most potent tool among youths. Adolescents copy unrealistic human representations and practice them in their lives. Lawler and Nixon (2011) argue that female children are more susceptible to participate in general appearance discussions while boys value the talks relating to muscular enhancement. Children develop stereotypical interests in representations of the human body and conversations about various worldviews and cultural ideas, as portrayed in the mass media (Kirsch & Murnen, 2015). This situation affects the wellbeing of children and fellow peers because some adolescents receive negative commentaries, especially when other people consider them to lack attributes of beauty and attractiveness (Lawler & Nixon, 2011). These ill-treatments by others leads to a negative assessment of personal outlooks.

Lawler and Nixon (2011) revealed that female children are more susceptible to adopting, acknowledging, and conforming to the cultural ideals and pressures imposed by the media than the boys. The main idea spread across most media outlets is masculine behaviours are more superior or esteemed than feminine qualities (Kirsch & Murnen, 2015). Children who consume these messages are vulnerable to exhibiting attributes of personalities of their gender. Unfortunately, most media programs and articles portray women as sexual objects, and therefore, encourages young girls to put more concerns on their appearances (Baker, 2018). Adolescents learn behaviours from the mass media and translate them to sexual harassment on other peers. Prolonged viewing of television, films, and internet content has links to the beliefs practised by boys and girls as they grow and develop. The media teaches them how to behave and what to expect in romantic relations and situations. Many children learn matters concerning their sexualities through the mass media as they assume the stereotyped traits of their gender (Baker, 2018).

Smartphones and computers have enabled children to view much inappropriate content available on the internet. Unfortunately, not many parents can control what their siblings do with these digital gadgets. Different forms of media send powerful messages to children, and adolescents are vulnerable to absorbing the ideas concepts presented by the characters. Coyne et al. (2016) argue that films have sexualised roles and people’s personalities and present most women as passive beings who require men to save them from different circumstances. This situation creates a negative image among young girls. The films send powerful messages about gender stereotypes for young girls by spreading the misrepresentation of women as physically weak, submissive, and fearful (Coyne et al., 2016; Martin, 2017).

Studies show that boys are more likes to learn gender-stereotypical behaviours by viewing superhero movies and programs (Coyne et al., 2016). Playing violent video games affects children’s mental health and results in more aggression among players as they absorb masculine and feminine traits. Social cognitive theory suggests that children learn by watching other people’s actions, including parents, educators, peers, and the media (Coyne et al., 2016; Golden & Jacoby, 2018). Therefore, when children watch violent films, they are like to assume the behaviours of media personalities of their gender. Most films cover the topic of oppression and discrimination against women in the communities. Children may consider these mistreatments as the norms in society and promote them by giving more favours to peers of similar genders and neglecting those of the opposite sex. This media representation limits the potentials of a particular gender to promote the same views among children. As a result, adolescents learn harmful gender stereotypical traits that can lead to the spread of severe offences as children grow physically and psychologically.

Research indicates that media influences how children understand dieting awareness and perceive their body images (Dohnt & Tiggemann, 2006). Gender stereotyping makes children get interested in music, television programs, or articles that address issues regarding how adjusting eating behaviours can lead to better body formation and appearances (Dittmar, Halliwell & Ive, 2006; Dohnt & Tiggemann, 2006). Media introduces children into an appearance culture where their main concerns revolve around body image, gender roles, and representations in society (Clark & Tiggemann, 2006). Some of the media programs have fewer female characters than males, thereby promoting patriarchal ideas to children. Martin (2017) argues that underrepresentation leads to emotions such as sadness, fear, anger, and satisfaction that depend on the portrayal in the media. Media presents men’s needs as more essential and less manageable than those of women (Kirsch & Murnen, 2015). As a result, these ideas affect how children interact with their people of similar and opposite genders. Kirsch and Murnen (2015) found out that most boys value girls depending on their body images and appearances.

Conclusion

Mass media and technological developments have enabled children to access vast amounts of information. Children identify and replicate the attributes, traits, and qualities linked to their gender. Exposure to mass media affects how children grow both psychologically and physically. Articles and television programs depict females as submissive to males there promoting traditional gender-stereotypical behaviours. Children become dissatisfied with their body images and wish to alter them by changing their eating habits. Children learn that society regards females as sexual objects, and therefore, girls get more concerned about their physical appearances as they grow to earn themselves more respect. Through constant exposure to media, children learn to uphold the notion that masculine behaviours are more superior and less controllable than feminine traits. Parents and teachers should reconsider the amount and type of information that the media presents to children regarding the understanding of gender.

References

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