“Cultural Messages about Gender Roles: An Analysis of Cartoons.”
Adapted from Cheryl A. Rickabaugh Sex and Gender: Student Projects and Exercises. New York: McGraw-Hill, c. 1998
Instructions: Watch 3 cartoon shows. Analyze the programs using the following criteria:
Cartoon Characters: Count and then compute the percentage of female and male characters. If the gender is unclear (for example with animal characters, make your best guess on the basis of clothing or voice).
Behaviors: Indicate the number of male and female characters that engage in each of the specific behaviors listed below. Indicate the frequency with which male and female characters engage in these behaviors with a hatch mark.
Name of Program: ________________________ Date watched:_______
Brief Summary of Program
Number of female characters ___ % of Total____
Number of male characters ____ % of Total_____
Behavior/characteristic Female Male
Aggressive
Rescuing Others
Submissive
Passive
Being Rescued
Comical – silly
Domestic activity (cleaning cooking/ caring for others)
Positions of Authority
Emotional
Concerned with Physical Appearance
Physically Fit
Overweight
Works at an Occupation
Intelligent
Other (describe)
Other (describe)
Name of Program: ____________________________ Date Watched:_________
Brief Summary of Program
Number of Female Characters ____ % of Total _____
Number of Male Characters ____ % of Total _____
Behaviors/characteristics Female Male
Aggressive
Rescuing Others
Submissive
Passive
Being Rescued
Comic/silly
Domestic Roles
Positions of Authority
Emotional
Concerned with Physical Appearance
Physically Fit
Overweight
Works at an occupation (or student)
Intelligent
Other (describe)
Other (describe)
Name of Program:________________________ Date Watched: ___________
Brief Summary of Program
Number of female characters: _____ % of the total ____
Number of male characters: _____ % of the total ____
Behaviors/Characteristics Female Male
Aggressive
Rescuing Others
Submissive
Passive
Being Rescued
Comic/silly
Domestic Roles (cooking, cleaning, etc)
Positions of Authority
Emotional
Concerned with Physical Appearance
Physically Fit
Overweight
Occupation (or role)
Intelligent
Other (describe)
Other (describe)
1. Are males and females represented with equal frequency in the three programs you watched?
Program #1
Program #2
Program #3
2. In what roles are females likely to be portrayed? What attributes do they share?
3. In what roles are males likely to be portrayed? What attributes do they share?
4. What conclusions can you draw about gender stereotyping in children’s cartoons.
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