During childhood, young boys and girls will look to their parents and other role models for ways to behave, however some of these role models may be characters in shows. Many stereotypes occur in children 's television series or commercials and therefore can create misrepresentations of both genders. The portrayals of any gender in a certain way may alter children 's perceptions and mold the way they communicate with the opposite gender.
Sex-role stereotypes that try to define girl 's feminine roles and boy 's masculinity roles are arguably the biggest issue in television. Males outnumber females in a majority of ads and are the voice-overs in 69.3% of commercial advertisements. In addition, males used products outside of the home, while females …show more content…
Hoffner (1996) conducted a study of children aged 7 to 12 years and interviewed them on who their favorite character was within a show. A majority of them responded with a same sex character. The determinants for choosing their favorite character included good looks for girls and physical strength for boys. The researcher also concluded that boys chose out of hoping they could be more like that character whereas girls chose because they believed they identified most with them. Even if exposure is short-term, the effects can be long lasting. Hoffner’s study found that girls already had the belief that physical attractiveness was of major importance. Despite having desirable physical attributes, the girls also rated female characters as more intelligent than the males. Opposite of the girls, the boys favored the intelligent male characters and rarely chose a girl as their favorite …show more content…
Some children may be more susceptible to stereotypes than others may. Buijzen (2007) conducted a study and hypothesized how intervention can prevent children from obtaining certain beliefs. Two hundred children, aged five to ten, participated in the sample. The participants split into three groups and learned different types of intervention to aid in watching television. After watching different toy commercials, Buijzen collected the results. Results verified that factual interventions positively enhance children and make them less susceptible. Even if a child has seen an advertisement or show repeatedly, effects are no greater or more significant. Evaluative intervention had a negative effect on children’s viewpoints toward any advertisement. It caused them to have a bad attitude toward the brand and they no longer wanted association with it. Overall, encouraging skepticism can help children become less attracted and gullible to toy
Sex-role stereotypes that try to define girl 's feminine roles and boy 's masculinity roles are arguably the biggest issue in television. Males outnumber females in a majority of ads and are the voice-overs in 69.3% of commercial advertisements. In addition, males used products outside of the home, while females …show more content…
Hoffner (1996) conducted a study of children aged 7 to 12 years and interviewed them on who their favorite character was within a show. A majority of them responded with a same sex character. The determinants for choosing their favorite character included good looks for girls and physical strength for boys. The researcher also concluded that boys chose out of hoping they could be more like that character whereas girls chose because they believed they identified most with them. Even if exposure is short-term, the effects can be long lasting. Hoffner’s study found that girls already had the belief that physical attractiveness was of major importance. Despite having desirable physical attributes, the girls also rated female characters as more intelligent than the males. Opposite of the girls, the boys favored the intelligent male characters and rarely chose a girl as their favorite …show more content…
Some children may be more susceptible to stereotypes than others may. Buijzen (2007) conducted a study and hypothesized how intervention can prevent children from obtaining certain beliefs. Two hundred children, aged five to ten, participated in the sample. The participants split into three groups and learned different types of intervention to aid in watching television. After watching different toy commercials, Buijzen collected the results. Results verified that factual interventions positively enhance children and make them less susceptible. Even if a child has seen an advertisement or show repeatedly, effects are no greater or more significant. Evaluative intervention had a negative effect on children’s viewpoints toward any advertisement. It caused them to have a bad attitude toward the brand and they no longer wanted association with it. Overall, encouraging skepticism can help children become less attracted and gullible to toy