I was definitely brought up with Disney and animated
children’s culture all around me. I watched and owned almost all Disney movies
and watched many different cartoons on television. I owned various Disney and
cartoon character memorabilia such as toys, pajamas, cups, towels, and much
more. I also went on family vacations to both Disney World and Disney Land.
I also see this culture reflected in the lives of the
children I teach. Many of the girls in my classroom know and love Disney
princess characters and often talk about their favorites. Many of the boys, in
particular, often discuss how they watch Sponge Bob Square Pants and other
cartoons at home and are even able to recite lines and story plots.
As a child, I am not quite sure that I was aware of the
messages and stereotypes that animated cartoon themes and characters portrayed.
However, as an adult I can definitely make these connections. Chistensen claims
that children’s cartoons shape the ideology of a child’s world. They embed
stereotypes about gender, race, class, and ability. When analyzing popular
animated children’s films (especially Disney) and television shows many of
these stereotypes becomes apparent. I feel that I was able to separate fantasy
from reality, as I never read too
deeply into the media I was consuming. However, I can see how these factors can
have an unconscious influence on younger generations.
I forgot about Sponge Bob. We didn't have cable until my kids were 13, 10, and 7, so my youngest (and my husband) is a big Sponge Bob fan. She is 13 now and still watches it. I was not brought up on cartoons and don't really get into the silliness. Are you going to let your kids have a favorite princess?
ReplyDeleteI think when I have my own children I will let them watch Disney princess movies if they show interest in them, however I will definitely keep in mind the kind of messages these films portray and the potential influence they may have on them.
ReplyDeleteYou mention that you can navigate the messages embedded in the cartoons. To me, that is the mark of an adult reader... As teachers, we need to help the students to go beyond passive reading by teaching them resistant reading skills which will hopefully afford them the ability to navigate (as you do) later on. I wonder if you are able to begin that education in your young students...
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