Messages in Media

• Gender and Race• Good, and Evil

Where We’ve Been• We’ve looked at gender and racial stereotypes – Not a complete list

• Our examples are good but there are many messages about gender and race that are less easily categorized.– As always, seeing the messages takes critical observation

and an open mind.

• Remember: the point is not to find fault or place blame.– The point is to be conscious of potential messages and to

be aware of the possible impact they can have.

What Else Is There?

• There are any number of messages that bombard us daily.– Some of the most controversial are in children’s

movies• These are, strangely, also the easier ones to identify!

– Disney is the obvious focus for this topic• Does not mean they are the only ones or that they are

any better/worse

Common Gender Messages in Children’s Movies

• Female roles– Soft spoken, polite, gentle, giving, submissive, domestic

• Wife• Homemaker• Mother

– Rarely truly outspoken, rude, or aggressive

– Recent characters have shown spirit but are ultimately looked down upon by other characters for that spirit (Belle, Jasmine)• Female characters usually “settle down” once they have a man

to love them

Common Gender Messages *

• Female roles– Helpless, dependent, indecisive, needy• Damsel in distress• Rarely solve own problems (Ariel)• ‘happy ending’ always involves not just loving a man

but having him love her back

– All Disney movies involve a romance of some sort• Is it not enough to have a female protagonist unless

there is a male character love interest?

Common Gender Roles*• Male roles

– Heroic, outgoing, honourable, smart, strong, in control• The one who solves the problem• Street smarts, comfortable and capable in their environment (Aladdin, Tarzan)• Saves the day and the girl• Defeats the villain

– The anti-hero• Has several negative characteristics but ultimately has a heart of gold (Beast)

– Background player• Many Disney movies focus on the story from the female perspective.• Male points of view and experiences glossed over• Personality rarely developed or explored in any depth

– Mulan

Common Gender Messages

• Beauty– Female characters are universally beautiful.

• Features change (hair and eye colour, ethnic or cultural references)

• But all are ideals of western beauty– Wide eyes, high cheekbones, bright, rosy mouth with bow-lips, small

pointed chin, arched eyebrows, long lashes, white teeth, clear skin, delicate nose, long, thick, luxurious hair, etc.

– All natural: no obvious signs of make up

– Male characters are like-wise attractive• Tall, small waist, muscular chest, legs and arms, chiselled jaw

and/or strong chin, lush, thick head of hair, white teeth, strong, aristocratic nose(a bit larger or longer than a woman’s)

Look at each feature – very similar!

Common Gender Roles

Common Gender Roles

• Female roles– Beauty

• Bodies also conform to traditional western ideals of beauty– Tiny waist, ample bosom, round hips, long slender legs

Common Gender Roles

• Female roles– Sexuality

• There is a surprising amount of sexuality in Disney movies• Some is quite blatant

– Body shape– Clothing choices

» Do they not have t-shirts under the sea?» Was there a sale on mid-drift bearing tops?

Common Gender Roles*

• Female roles– Sexuality (cont’d)

• Sexualisation of female characters– Dress, body, actions can be highly sexual– A far cry from the ‘innocence and wonder’

that we associate with Disney movies!

• Sexuality as a tool– Come-hither wiles used to attract hero– Body used to distract villain while hero uses brains and action to save the

day (and her!)– Sexuality as her only weapon– Instead of using her brain/wits

Next up...

• Representations of Good and Evil– gender ideals– race