Battling Stereotypes Tips
What media teaches our kids
- Studies show that almost twice as many blacks and Hispanics show up as villains in mainstream media
- A Dads and Daughters study of G-rated films revealed that there are 3 male characters to every female character
- Almost twice as many non-white males are portrayed as physically aggressive in G-rated movies
- 60% of female video game characters are presented in a sexualized fashion
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Advice and Answers
What media teaches our kids about types.
While many argue that it’s just human nature to make sweeping generalizations about people, the media certainly takes an active role in reinforcing them. Taking a critical look at what those generalizations mean, how they paint so many people unfairly, and most important, how they may misinform our kids about the world around them, can go a long way to undoing the damage.What are they?
Media is full of economic, gender, and ethnic stereotypes, from the roles of good guys and bad guys in video games, to the animated films our youngest children enjoy. White male heroes outnumber both women and minorities in media portrayals. And although women have come a long way in how popular culture reflects their status, statistics show that women are still most often relegated to roles of love interest, sex object, or selfless saint.Why they matter
The images our kids see powerfully inform their sense of what is “normal.” When kids see class, racial, and sexual relations portrayed over and over, it reinforces class, race, and gender stereotypes. The characters they see can become role models – and kids may want to imitate the behavior they see. They may also form judgments about others based on portrayals.Parent tips
- Start counting. When you’re watching TV with your kids or playing games with them, keep a tally of the characters. How many are female? How many are male? How many are white? Do you see any correlation between the characters’ race and gender and how they are portrayed? These sorts of questions will help your kids build awareness – and provide you with opportunities to further discuss stereotypes.
- Find alternatives. Common Sense Media can help you find movies, books, and video games that run counter to these portrayals. Check out the “Top Picks” section for ideas from “Best Smart Movie Girls” to “Best Mexican / Mexican American Movies.” (Visit www.commonsensemedia.org)
- Don’t buy it. Game makers and movie studios keep making products with unfair portrayals because we keep buying them. Remember that you can vote with your dollars. Even better, contact media companies and let them know how you feel about gender or racial stereotypes in their products. When you write or call, company representatives assume there are many other folks who feel the same way you do. This means when you speak up, you’re speaking for both yourself and for many others.
- Start discussing. Ask your kids about their values. What do they think about gender, racial, and economic equality? Then ask what they think of action heroes, sports heroes, and video game and movie villains. What about popular culture’s portrayals reflect their values? What doesn’t?
in the present days media shows every news with much hype, that doesn't care for children and i feel that parental guidance is needed.
regards,
jallas - wines
Thinking that race has to do with anything is flat out racism. Simple as that. That being said, just because you're a minority and just happen to play a loser in a film, doesn't mean that your entire race is being looked at as losers. The whole idea of the video is racist.
For some reason, I think of something Denis Leary said about racism. The bit went that he knew for a fact that it wasn't genetic - "I have a three year old, you know what he hates? Naps, ok folks?" It rings very true, and with all representations of any group in the media you have to be able to demonstrate to your children that it is just entertainment and that racism is wrong. What helped me was that my folks had friends of different races, and getting to know them I came to see kind of the -this is horribly inane and maudlin, but whatever - people-ness of everyone, and that each individual has their own worth. Granted, there are people who live up to stereotypes - no one likes to admit it, but there are. Deal with it. There are white people who are crackers, white trash, trailer trash, to the core - you see a lot of them at Wal Mart (again, a stereotype but it does hold true - the greatest is hearing vaguely southern accents at a Wal Mart in the Pacific Northwest, and knowing that those people aren't from the south) and come to think of it, one of the most famous ones left office on Jan. 20th and another one is resigning her governorship (ouch!) but I'm getting off topic. I think the best thing to do is to emphasize to your kids that they shouldn't let entertainment do their thinking and informing of the relative value of individual people for them.
http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/07/08/racist-valley-swim-cl...
kids should no that al peple are good
wow this is stupid why would u want just as many black movies as white movies THAT is racist. if a graet movie with all white characters is passed up for big mommas house 3 how is that fair?
I have to agree. People get too much of their information from the media and they don't think for themselves. Some talk about people being equal inside is a good start.
I tell my child that there are good and bad qualities in people of all races, religion, and nationality. What we see in the media are usually just a snap shot of a brief time or place, and not representative of the masses. My child is learning to judge people by the actions that back up their words. Media is obsessed with race - whether it be the news media or the t.v. and motion picture industry. Most people are too busy taking care of their daily obligations to worry about the color of other people's skin or what Church other families' attend, if they attend at all. Most people don't care. I tell my child all of these things, and he, also, is too busy in his life to worry about the color of his classmates' skin. The pandering has to end.