Gender role messages communicated to Gender role messages communicated to children and adolescents through:children and adolescents through:Film, Music, and Video GamesFilm, Music, and Video Games

By Rosemary Whitmer, Terri Red,By Rosemary Whitmer, Terri Red,

and Robin Dickand Robin Dick

PurposePurpose

““Analyze how social and cultural Analyze how social and cultural messages communicate gender roles and messages communicate gender roles and behaviors to children and adolescents behaviors to children and adolescents through imagery, language, and symbols through imagery, language, and symbols through: films, music, and video games.through: films, music, and video games.

What are rating systems in place?What are rating systems in place?

Films and Films and GenderGender

Film Rating SystemFilm Rating SystemThe current Motion Picture Association of America's The current Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) movie ratings(MPAA) movie ratings

All ages admitted.All ages admitted.

Some material may be Some material may be inappropriate for younger children.inappropriate for younger children.

Some material may be inappropriate Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13 for children under 13 years.years.

No children 17 or under without No children 17 or under without parent or guardian admitted. parent or guardian admitted.

No one 17 or under admitted.No one 17 or under admitted.

Disney & GenderDisney & Gender

In Disney movies, women are In Disney movies, women are usually depicted as a princess, usually depicted as a princess, queen, or homemaker.queen, or homemaker.

The women are shown being The women are shown being subservient to the male subservient to the male characters. The men use characters. The men use forceful behavior to get what forceful behavior to get what they want. The women in they want. The women in Disney movies usually go from Disney movies usually go from living with their fathers straight living with their fathers straight to living with their husbands or to living with their husbands or another male. Mother figures another male. Mother figures are absent in most Disney are absent in most Disney films.films.

Where are the girls?Where are the girls?

Movies have more men in Movies have more men in them than women. them than women.

The race is half and half, The race is half and half, and movies should and movies should portray that. portray that.

When girls see women When girls see women doing various jobs, they doing various jobs, they feel they can do these feel they can do these things, too.things, too.

MusicMusic

Rating System for MusicRating System for Music

““Parental Advisory - Explicit Lyrics” labelParental Advisory - Explicit Lyrics” label

Introduced in 1990 by the U.S. Recording Introduced in 1990 by the U.S. Recording Industry.Industry.These labels were created to “identify music These labels were created to “identify music containing explicit lyrics, including depictions of containing explicit lyrics, including depictions of violence and sex” (Media Awareness Network, violence and sex” (Media Awareness Network, 2008).2008).

Drawbacks of the Rating Drawbacks of the Rating SystemSystem

Using the Parental Advisory sticker is Using the Parental Advisory sticker is completelycompletely voluntaryvoluntary for companies and for companies and artists.artists.

Parents may assume that if a CD cover does not Parents may assume that if a CD cover does not have a Parental Advisory label than the content have a Parental Advisory label than the content in the music is safe for children. In actuality, the in the music is safe for children. In actuality, the CD may contain inappropriate and explicit lyrics, CD may contain inappropriate and explicit lyrics, but the artist or company chose not to put a label but the artist or company chose not to put a label on the CD cover. on the CD cover.

Another DrawbackAnother Drawback

““Of the 55 music recordings Of the 55 music recordings with explicit labels the FTC with explicit labels the FTC examined, all were targeted examined, all were targeted to children under 17.to children under 17. Marketing plans included Marketing plans included

placing advertising in media placing advertising in media that would reach a majority or a that would reach a majority or a substantial percentage of substantial percentage of children under 17” (Media children under 17” (Media Awareness Network).Awareness Network).

LyricsLyrics: Communicated gender roles : Communicated gender roles and behaviors found in Languageand behaviors found in Language

To learn more about messages found in music, “A qualitative To learn more about messages found in music, “A qualitative content analysis was conducted on lyrics to identify predominant content analysis was conducted on lyrics to identify predominant themes in popular music. The songs for analysis were determined themes in popular music. The songs for analysis were determined by ‘The Hot 100’ list generated by Billboard Chart Research by ‘The Hot 100’ list generated by Billboard Chart Research Services”Services”

Six themes found in popular music lyrics:Six themes found in popular music lyrics:Men and powerMen and powerSex as top priority for malesSex as top priority for malesObjectification of womenObjectification of womenSexual violenceSexual violenceWomen defined by having a manWomen defined by having a manWomen not valuing themselvesWomen not valuing themselves

Bretthauer, B., Zimmerman T., & Banning, J. H. (2006). A feminist analysis of popular Bretthauer, B., Zimmerman T., & Banning, J. H. (2006). A feminist analysis of popular music: Power over, objectification of, and violence against women. music: Power over, objectification of, and violence against women. Journal of Journal of Feminist Family TherapyFeminist Family Therapy, 18(4), 29-51., 18(4), 29-51.

LyricsLyrics: Communicated gender roles : Communicated gender roles and behaviors found in Language, and behaviors found in Language,

continuedcontinuedThe following is an example of a song which objectifies The following is an example of a song which objectifies women, communicating to girls that women are only women, communicating to girls that women are only valued as sexual objects.valued as sexual objects. MIMS' "Like This“MIMS' "Like This“(Notice the Parental Adisory label. This song(Notice the Parental Adisory label. This song

was included on the “Now 25” CD which was was included on the “Now 25” CD which was

targeted for children and adolescents.)targeted for children and adolescents.)

More LyricsMore Lyrics"Lollipop" by "Lollipop" by LilLil Wayne Wayne[Verse 1:Lil Wayne] [Verse 1:Lil Wayne]

Okay, lil mama had a swag like mine Okay, lil mama had a swag like mine even wear her hair down her back like mine even wear her hair down her back like mine i make her feel right when its wrong like lyin i make her feel right when its wrong like lyin Man, she ain never had a love like mine Man, she ain never had a love like mine n' man i aint never seen a ass like hers n' man i aint never seen a ass like hers and that pussy in my mouth had me at a loss fo words and that pussy in my mouth had me at a loss fo words told her to back it up like erp erp told her to back it up like erp erp and make that ass jump like shczerp shczerp and make that ass jump like shczerp shczerp and thats when she said i lo-lo-look like a lollipop ( oh yeah i like that ) and thats when she said i lo-lo-look like a lollipop ( oh yeah i like that ) she said i lo-lo-look like a lollipop ( oh yeah i like that ) she said i lo-lo-look like a she said i lo-lo-look like a lollipop ( oh yeah i like that ) she said i lo-lo-look like a lollipop ( oh yeah i like that ) shawty i lo-lo-lookin like a lollipop ( oh yeah i like lollipop ( oh yeah i like that ) shawty i lo-lo-lookin like a lollipop ( oh yeah i like that ) that )

CHORUS:CHORUS: Shawty wanna thug( oh yeah i like that ) bottles in the club( oh yeah i like Shawty wanna thug( oh yeah i like that ) bottles in the club( oh yeah i like that ) shawty wanna humpthat ) shawty wanna hump( oh yeah i like that ) and ooo i like to touch ya lovely lady lumps ( Repeat 2x ) ( oh yeah i like that ) and ooo i like to touch ya lovely lady lumps ( Repeat 2x )

Music VideosMusic Videos: Communicated gender : Communicated gender roles and behaviors found in imageryroles and behaviors found in imagery

The following music video objectifies The following music video objectifies women and girls; Huey is telling the girls women and girls; Huey is telling the girls that they are only of interest to him if they that they are only of interest to him if they can “Pop, Lock and Drop it.”can “Pop, Lock and Drop it.” Pop, Lock, & Drop It, by HueyPop, Lock, & Drop It, by Huey(Notice the Parental Adisory label. This song(Notice the Parental Adisory label. This song

was included on the “Now 25” CD which was was included on the “Now 25” CD which was

targeted for children and adolescents.)targeted for children and adolescents.)

It’s not just rap & rock!It’s not just rap & rock!

• Other genres of music contain sexual and Other genres of music contain sexual and demeaning messages in the lyrics and the images.demeaning messages in the lyrics and the images.

Big-n-Rich's "Save Big-n-Rich's "Save a Horse, Ride a Coa Horse, Ride a Cowboy“wboy“

Honky-Honky-Tonk-BadonkadonkTonk-Badonkadonk, by Trace Adkins, by Trace Adkins

CD’s that target CD’s that target AdolescentsAdolescents

The The NOW That’s What I Call Music!NOW That’s What I Call Music! CD’s target audience is CD’s target audience is adolescent children. The songs on these CD’s overwhelmingly adolescent children. The songs on these CD’s overwhelmingly communicate negative messages of gender roles for girls.communicate negative messages of gender roles for girls.

AllAll of the songs depict women in a sexual manner. of the songs depict women in a sexual manner.

NOW Music CD'sNOW Music CD's

Is there any good music?!Is there any good music?!

Of course there is! Some songs are positive, uplifting, and Of course there is! Some songs are positive, uplifting, and communicate strength for both genders.communicate strength for both genders.

The following song is an example of a song that encourages and The following song is an example of a song that encourages and uplifts people. Although the song maybe sung by a woman and girls uplifts people. Although the song maybe sung by a woman and girls like the song, it does not target a particular gender. like the song, it does not target a particular gender.

Natasha Natasha Bettingfield'sBettingfield's "Unwritten“ "Unwritten“

Video GamesVideo Games

Entertainment Software Rating Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Board (ESRB)

What is ESRB?What is ESRB?

How was the rating system created?How was the rating system created?

Do all games have a rating?Do all games have a rating?

ESRB’s restrictions and powerESRB’s restrictions and power

Does it work?Does it work?

Gender Roles and AppearanceGender Roles and Appearance

Why do boys/girls play?Why do boys/girls play?

What kind of games does each gender What kind of games does each gender play?play?

Girl gaming Girl gaming

How are females represented?How are females represented?

Does physical appearance matter?Does physical appearance matter?

Violence & BehaviorViolence & Behavior

Is violence affecting players?Is violence affecting players? Aggressive behavior in girlsAggressive behavior in girls DesensitizationDesensitization Aggressive and non-aggressive delinquent Aggressive and non-aggressive delinquent

behaviorbehavior Does it affect some more than others?Does it affect some more than others?

Final QuestionFinal Question

Do you believe there Do you believe there is any correlation is any correlation between the rise in between the rise in girl bullying and the girl bullying and the rise in girl gamers rise in girl gamers playing violent playing violent games?games?

ReferencesReferences

Barenthin, J., & Van Puymbroeck, M. (2006, August). Research update: The joystick generation. Barenthin, J., & Van Puymbroeck, M. (2006, August). Research update: The joystick generation. Parks & RecreationParks & Recreation, 41(8), 24-29. Retrieved June 9, 2008, Academic Search , 41(8), 24-29. Retrieved June 9, 2008, Academic Search

Complete Complete database.database.Bretthauer, B., Zimmerman T., & Banning, J. H. (2006). A feminist analysis of popular Bretthauer, B., Zimmerman T., & Banning, J. H. (2006). A feminist analysis of popular music: Power over, objectification of, and violence against women. music: Power over, objectification of, and violence against women. Journal of Journal of Feminist Family Feminist Family TherapyTherapy, 18(4), 29-51., 18(4), 29-51.Cesarone, B., & ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education, C. (1998, Cesarone, B., & ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education, C. (1998,

November 1). Video games: Research, ratings, recommendations. November 1). Video games: Research, ratings, recommendations. ERIC DigestERIC Digest. . . . (ERIC (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No ED424038) Retrieved June 24, 2008, from ERIC Document Reproduction Service No ED424038) Retrieved June 24, 2008, from ERIC

database.database.Eastin, M (2006, July). Video game violence and the female game player: Self-and opponent Eastin, M (2006, July). Video game violence and the female game player: Self-and opponent

gender effects on presence and aggressive thought. gender effects on presence and aggressive thought. Human Communication Human Communication ResearchResearch, , 32(3), 351-372. Retrieved June 9, 2008, doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2006.00279.x32(3), 351-372. Retrieved June 9, 2008, doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2006.00279.xFunk, J. B., Bechtoldt Baldacci, H., Pasold, T., & Baumgardner, J. (2003). Violence exposure in Funk, J. B., Bechtoldt Baldacci, H., Pasold, T., & Baumgardner, J. (2003). Violence exposure in

real-life, video games, television, movies, and the internet: is there desensitization? real-life, video games, television, movies, and the internet: is there desensitization? Journal of AdolescenceJournal of Adolescence. 27(2004), 23-39. Retrieved June 9, 2008, . 27(2004), 23-39. Retrieved June 9, 2008,

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2003.10.005doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2003.10.005Tallim, J. & Wing, C. (2008) Parental advisory labels. Retrieved June 10, 2008, from Tallim, J. & Wing, C. (2008) Parental advisory labels. Retrieved June 10, 2008, from Media Awareness NetworkMedia Awareness Network. Web site: http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/music/ . Web site: http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/music/

inappropriate/parental_advisory_labels.cfminappropriate/parental_advisory_labels.cfm(n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2008, from http://www.esrb.org/ratings/search.jsp(n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2008, from http://www.esrb.org/ratings/search.jsp