A new study suggests toddler programming may perpetuate gender stereotypes
With accessibility to screen media on the rise, even babies and toddlers are enjoying screen time. Recent reports suggest that two to four-year-olds watch screens for an average of 2 hours and 39 minutes per day, and those under two years are in front of screens for an average of 42 minutes per day. Now, a new study suggests that even programs targeted toward the youngest viewers may be perpetuating gender stereotypes.
The new study published in the journal Sex Roles examined the behavior of the main characters in babies’ and toddlers’ programs available on the video streaming service Hulu. At the time of the study, Hulu divided its children’s programming into categories, including “Babies” and “Kids 2-4.” The researchers examined all story-based series in these categories that had more than ten episodes. Babies’ programs in the study included Charlie & the Numbers, Draco, and Grandpa Joe's Magical Playground, and toddler programs included Curious George, Doc Mcstuffins, Nina's World, and Sydney Sailboat. In total, the researchers examined 59 characters from babies’ programs and 135 characters from programs aimed at ages two to four.
More than twice as many of the main characters in these programs were male than female, a problem in itself. It’s well-established that women appear less frequently and have fewer significant roles in television and film aimed at older viewers. Now this unrealistic and imbalanced view of the world is being presented to infants and toddlers as well.
For the programs targeting kids aged two to four, the researchers found that the characters adhered to traditional gender stereotypes. Male characters were more likely than female characters to be portrayed as doing things typically associated with boys like moving fast, being verbally aggressive, rescuing or showing bravery, failing to reach a goal, and bragging. The lead author of the study, Washington State University graduate student Soojung Kang, described some examples of bravery exhibited by male characters which included saving someone from a whirlpool or rescuing a friend that got stuck in a broken rocket underwater.
Female characters in these shows were more likely than male characters to be portrayed as showing affection, caring about physical appearance or making comments about others’ appearances.
The babies’ programming had fewer gender stereotypes than the toddler programs. In babies’ shows, female characters were more likely to be portrayed as feminine, and male characters were more likely to be portrayed with humor.
Kang points out that the absence of certain behaviors on screen may be problematic as well. “What children see in media is important, but what they don't see could be even more important in developing their perspectives on the world,” Kang explains. In other words, the absence of girls showing bravery and the absence of boys showing affection could be just as problematic as the stereotypic behavior that is portrayed on the screen. Hulu did not respond to a request for comment on the gender stereotypes in its toddler and baby programming.
These stereotypes are problematic because when the children watch screen media, they learn about how society thinks men and women, and boys and girls, are supposed to behave. Watching these gender stereotypes can shape who these children become. It can impact the subjects they choose to study, their career choices and their goals in life.
Some of the behavior changes occur immediately. Research has repeatedly shown that exposure to gender stereotypes, like those in children’s media, directly leads to stereotypical behavior. One study revealed that superhero exposure was related to higher levels of male-stereotyped play for boys, and another showed that Disney princess media was related to girls’ play that centered around beauty, clothing and accessories and the exclusion of boys.
Another problem with children learning these stereotypes at such a young age is that once stereotypes are learned, it’s nearly impossible to unlearn them. Patricia Devine, a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison explained to Wisconsin Public Radio, “A lot of people sincerely embrace egalitarian values, but being socialized into our culture, they learn stereotypes very early in childhood, around age three, four and five. They’re firmly ingrained; they’re frequently activated, very well-practiced, and they end up being the default, or habitual kind of response." She adds, "I’m not sure if it’s possible to unlearn them…I know I shouldn’t act based on the stereotypes, but it’s not as though my awareness or my knowledge of those stereotypes just goes away."
It would be almost hopeless to try to raise children without exposing them to any gender stereotypes. Even if you try to keep your home relatively gender-neutral, children pick up gender stereotypes at school from teachers, their friends and other students. But, especially for very young viewers, parents can control what their children watch on screens and should be aware of the messages contained in this programming and its potential lasting effects.
