Messages in Media

1. Messages in Media • Genderand Race • Good, and Evil

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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

7. 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)

8. Look at each feature – very similar!

9. Common Gender Roles

10. Common Gender Roles • Female roles • Beauty • Bodies also conform to traditional western ideals of beauty • Tiny waist, ample bosom, round hips, long slender legs

11. 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?

12. 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

13. Next up... • Representations of Good and Evil • gender ideals • race