Gender Role Portrayal in Etv Children’s Drama
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Date
2008-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Television teaches children gender-specific behaviors, attitudes, and
characteristics. By observing male and female characters on television,
children may learn to label certain characteristics and behaviors as
masculine or feminine behaviors and assign traditional gender-role
stereotypes to careers.
This study examines the portrayals of gender role in ETV children’s drama
and what messages these portrayals might bring for the children
watching.
A total of 60 primary and secondary figures in 20 sampled dramas have
been analyzed, in terms of the proportion of male and female characters
representation; the settings in which they were portrayed in , and in the
kinds of roles male and female characters were given to play.
This study also analyzes the gender traits that were associated with
women and men. The analysis of the data revealed that gender role
portrayals in ETV children’s dramas were found to be in many ways
stereotyped.
Male characters were likely to be portrayed in diverse professional roles,
positions and settings. In contrary, women were predominantly seen in
domestic roles and environments.
Men were also more likely to be shown with the traditional masculine
attributes or traits while female characters were more likely to be shown
with the traditional feminine attributes.
The results of this study are discussed with implications for children’s
perceptions of gender roles, and in cultivating their future behaviors,
attitudes and careers.
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Keywords
Children’s Drama