Gender Stereotypes In The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody

One of society’s oldest and most complex dichotomies is that of men versus women. But the fact that “versus” is even part of the dialogue on this subject shows the ways in which our culture has denigrated the natural and normal developmental differences between males and females. However, many of the differences are also socially constructed and perpetuated through rituals and stereotypes passed along from generation to generation. The popular and comedic children’s show, “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”, exemplifies some of these stereotypes through an episode called “The Fairest of them All”, in which a beauty pageant is hosted by the hotel that Zack and Cody, two young male children, live in.
In the episode, the young girls attending …show more content…
However, this method puts an inordinate amount of pressure on our children, squeezing and molding their developing minds and bodies into a role they may or may not fit in. Our society does this generation after generation, even with the knowledge that it is harmful and leaves little room for individuality and personal growth. Truthfully, it is done because it’s scarier not to do it. The alternative, leaving gender and behavior up to chance, threatens social security and status, something that’s never gone over well, especially when it comes to parenting. However, the producers of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody could have done more to diversify and equalize the roles being portrayed to the children watching it. Instead of a pageant, there could have been a talent show, in which both girls and boys could compete on equal standing. The ending of the episode could have portrayed the boy developing a new and platonic friendship with the girl, rather than the stereotypical “hero’s kiss” given to Cody by one of the contestants after he helps her win. These are just a few of the ways in which the show could have stayed light and fun without any of the added subliminal lessons regarding gender