What sort of gender issues should I be concerned about?

The media provides numerous examples of gender-related issues that are important to talk about with children. Many times, parents are not aware of the impact that the media can have on their child, nor are they aware of the issues that their child may be learning about. More than anything, it is important for parents to be aware of these issues. Being aware increases the likely hood that a parent will teach their children to be aware of these issues as well. The issues that are particularly important to be aware of include representations of gender in the media, portrayed power structures, and portrayed gender interests.

Representations of gender and Power Structures
Whether intentionally or not, a significant portion of the media almost represents the male gender as superior to the female gender. This representation is often found in children’s television programming, and in children’s literature. More often than not, there are more males than females in these programs and books, the males have better lives, and the women are seen as totally dependent on the men, whether in living situations, or in ability to make decisions.

Even Disney movies provide a clear representation of gender stereotypes.



This video shows how even young children develop stereotypes regarding male/female power structures and gender roles.



In addition, males are rarely portrayed as feeling any form of sadness or fear, nor are they portrayed to have any hobby or occupation that doesn’t fit the stereotypical “male mold” where there isn’t competition or any high expectation set. Conversely, females are often portrayed as passive, and whiny (Indiana 1998).

Many children choose characters in the media they can identify with as role models. The lack of females on television or in children’s literature makes this process more difficult for the child.

Parents can begin to counteract the media’s influence by actively sharing accurate representations of male and female genders with their children. This not only teaches the child what to be aware of, but also teaches the child what a correct representation of gender actually looks like.

Interests by gender
In the media, interests and gender are often split by gender. For example, males are more often portrayed as having interests in science and technology, and rarely as teachers, or nurses. Rarely does one see any children’s literature where a male is portrayed as a school teacher or as a nurse.

Children should be taught early on that possible interests are not defined by imagined or societal gender-boundaries.