Masculinity in Media

Paper Summary:

This paper contends that masculinity perhaps finds its most primitive yet clear and powerful expression in children's literature, television and video entertainment. The paper explains that in children's entertainment adults can see the fundamental archetypes and stereotypes that underlie society's gender constructs. The paper provides numerous examples of the masculine principle at work in children's literature and video, including the train engines pulling the female cars, in full control of their capacity to move.

From the Paper:

"In her article "The Smurfette Principle," Pollitt describes the legions of children's educational and entertainment materials that cater to a society fascinated with masculinity. Femininity, on the other hand, is portrayed in one of two ways: as an ancillary aspect to the male principle or as an admirably strong attempt to assert itself within the confines of a male-dominated world. Femininity as an ancillary aspect can be easily witnessed in "Shining Time Station," a preschool show on which the train engines are all male, their passenger cars all female. Imagery and symbolism of males being in control of females sends a powerful message to young, impressionable minds, minds that still believe, as Pollitt notes, that women become nurses, not doctors."

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