The affect on children

It is more likely to see the stereo-types that are put into children’s programming when one is not so accustomed to gender stereo-typing in the first place, but since adults have been “brain washed” by adult programs where stereo typical gender roles are evident but none the less disregarded, it becomes unimportant to the parent to make sure their child isn’t under the media’s influence. In educational programs for children men seem to be the leading characters in often instances, while women may play the apprentice but in instances where a woman may hold some power in an occupational area, her job is mostly in the field of caring, nurturing and not showing much aggression if any (Ingham 1997). Women even in children’s programming are seen in the stereo typical light of being “care takers and in often times, letting the more masculine figure dominate the show.
~Nyomi Jackson




When considering something as simple as children’s programming, it may not be as easy to see hidden messages as it may when involving adult programming. We may overlook things such as gender roles. Consider the popular television show “Scooby Doo”, created in 1969 for smaller children. This television program still runs even today but some may overlook the subliminal messages and gender roles that can be interpreted from this simple television show. In the show there are five teenagers who call themselves Mystery Inc. and each show portrays different scenarios that they encounter while uncovering new mysteries. What is not a mystery is the archatypes and gender roles that are embodied in the role that each character plays.
The characters names in the show are familiarly known as Daphne, Freddy, Shaggy, Velma and Scooby Doo and although the roles that they play in each episode are constant the dynamics of the female gender in the show is very obscured. Velma is the brainiac and always seems to come up with in genius ideas that in the long run always conclude to figuring out the mystery. Although Velma is quite intelligent she is also unattractive, from her short dull haircut to her bulky glasses the stereotype of smart young women is played out by unattractive Velma. While on the other hand Daphne who always seems to fall into the trap of the villain and ultimately need rescuing is a tall attractive redhead with curves. This is a simple example of the kinds of messages that children are bombarded with everyday in simple program television.

~Nyomi Jackson