Stereotypes In Children Case Study

1.Should we be concerned about children’s exposure to media stereotypes? According to cognitive developmental and gender schema theories, children are actively seeking the meaning of being a boy or a girl. The lessons they learn from the media get attached to their own gender schemas and to their sense of self. According to social learning theory, the more often children see models of gendered behavior, the more likely they are to imitate it and store it up for later use. (Crawford 2012 pg. 178). Children are watching TV and using iPads at a very young age. Children like to imitate everything they see and they do not know what’s right or wrong. Media influence affects the way children think and behave, and many children want to grow up too fast. “Sexy clothing, cosmetics, perfumes, and spa …show more content…
In Jenny’s case she is never taught what role she should play in life. Jenny is rich so therefore she acts like everything is perfect, and everything should always revolve around her. “ African American parents support for gender equality depends on how secure they feel in their middle class status; more secure families were more able to take the risk of raising gender flexible children.” (Crawford 2012 pg. 180) Social class also plays a big role in this. Higher class status have more stereotype issues than middle class and lower class status people because they believe everything and everyone should be like them. Since Jenny and her friends are from a higher-class status they believe they deserve it all and everyone should do as they please. It seems as if they were never taught any social skills because they were too busy trying to be the center of attention. During the clip where Jenny sees Samantha in a restaurant she goes up to her with her friends and automatically says to Carry “you are fabulous” but does not even introduce herself or her friends. After she starts talking about how Carry’s article made guys notice her and led her into having the sex life she