scholarly journals Representations of Gender-Diverse Characters in Adventure Time and Steven Universe

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Abigail S. Walsh

Television is a strong educational and socializing agent for children. Watching television can teach children appropriate language and vocabulary to use, as well as the social norms about gender behaviors or activities. Previous research on gender representations in children’s television has been limited to studying male and female characters because children’s programming has historically presented audiences with cisgender characters (e.g., boy and girls). Recently, television shows aimed at children have provided audiences with nonbinary and gender-diverse characters. This study is the first exploratory content analysis, to my knowledge, to examine the portrayal and representation of nonbinary and gender-diverse characters in children’s television. The current study examined the gender-neutral pronoun and gendered language use toward nonbinary and gender-diverse characters, as well as the portrayal of these characters as leaders, and with special skills in Adventure Time and Steven Universe. Overall, nonbinary and gender-diverse characters were portrayed as strong, positive, characters, and were represented similarly to their cisgender counterparts. This represents a promising shift toward more inclusive and equitable television representation, which may lead to the acceptance and appropriate use of gender-neutral pronouns toward peers by cisgender children, and the feeling of visibility and validation by nonbinary children. Future research should examine the impacts of these characters on viewers. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: As children’s television becomes more diverse it has the potential to positively impact the lives of cisgender (e.g., boys and girls) and nonbinary children. Because television has the potential to influence young children, gender-diverse representations in children’s television may lead to children developing more accepting attitudes and behaviors toward nonbinary peers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  

Along with the widespread rise in immigration and the increase in the number of immigrants, academic interest in migration research has also grown. Although there are many studies conducted in various fields, the number of studies who approached migration from an intersectional perspective is rather small. The number of studies approaching migration and the social psychological processes of migrants from the perspective of intersectionality is even smaller in Turkey. Considering the large number of immigrants in Turkey, it is obviously essential to understand and study intersectionality in these particular contexts. Therefore, this article is written to explicate the concept of intersectionality and review migration studies adopting an intersectional approach. The basis of the concept of intersectionality, historical background that led to the birth of it, its subtypes as well as the importance of race, class and gender in intersectionality are among the issues discussed in this article. Moreover, with respect to migration studies from the perspective of intersectionality, studies conducted in various culturally diverse countries are outlined. The last but not the least, the prominence of conducting research on intersectionality in the Turkish context is also emphasized. In this review, we aim to present the literature to students and academics in the field as well as to provide direction for future research. Keywords: Migration, intersectionality, intersectional discrimination


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 348-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snejina Michailova ◽  
Kate Hutchings

Purpose This paper aims to provide a critical perspective of how the theme of women, and more broadly gender, have been treated in extant international business (IB) literature. It also suggests meaningful and promising avenues in this research space. Design/methodology/approach This paper is not intended to provide a comprehensive literature review; rather, it offers a critical and reflective view on the development of the IB stream of literature in which discussion of women has been largely marginalised. Findings While women and gender have been topics of considerable discussion across a range of disciplines in the social sciences, they have received limited examination in the IB literature despite this discipline being most suitable for such, given its socio-cultural analyses across international borders and organisations. Research limitations/implications Several themes are suggested as fertile future research avenues. These themes identify gaps in existing knowledge but, more importantly, also problematize prevailing views that IB scholars tend to hold about women and gender. The future research themes suggest that the very context of IB signifies the need for systematic gender analysis which might advance current understanding of women specifically and gender, more broadly, in the IB field. Originality/value This paper makes a salient and timely contribution to the IB field in providing an original, erstwhile unexamined critique of the marginal reflection on women and gender within extant IB research.


Author(s):  
Senada Arucevic

Over the last decade, vast research has been conducted on assistive technology devices and the potential implementation of these devices in the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. Many devices are new to the public and may require further development, but it is important to disseminate information about these useful technologies, which often afford users more independence with their activities of daily living. Unfortunately individuals with disabilities often encounter stigma; research suggests that assistive technology devices may at times contribute to this ostracism. This chapter reviews a variety of technologies that have been used to improve the quality of life of individuals with varying disabilities. These devices are presented in the context of introducing a new children's television show, Realabilities, a pro-social and stop-bullying children's television program that seeks to enhance the social interaction and initiation of typical children towards children with disabilities. Directions for future research and implementation of these devices are also discussed.


Sexualities ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136346072094731
Author(s):  
Karen Fredriksen Goldsen ◽  
Sarah Jen ◽  
Theresa Clark ◽  
Hyun-Jun Kim ◽  
Hyunzee Jung ◽  
...  

Purpose Little is known about the life course of bisexual older adults. This study examines life events and experiences of bisexuals by generation: Pride Generation, born 1950–1964; Silenced Generation, born 1935–1949; and Invisible Generation, born 1934 or earlier, as well as by gender among women, men, and gender diverse older adults. Methods Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study is the first national longitudinal study of LGBTQ older adults in the US. We utilize the Iridescent Life Course to examine the life events and life course experiences of bisexual older adults ( N = 216) using 2014 survey data. The Iridescent Life Course frames this study for comparing generational and gender differences in five key areas: identity development; work; kin and social relationships; bias-related experiences; and physical and mental health. Findings The Invisible Generation, the oldest generation, compared to the two younger generations, reports significant risks related to social relationships, the lowest levels of openly disclosing, and fewer bias-related experiences. They also demonstrate important signs of resilience and better mental health. Bisexual men and gender diverse older adults report higher rates of bias-related experiences and fewer social resources than bisexual women. Conclusion Based on the Iridescent Life Course, we document important differences in the heterogeneity and intersectionality in bisexual lives, particularly for those in late life and those gender diverse. It is essential to document the distinct nature of bisexuals’ life course, as it provides both historical and contemporary insights into aging and the reframing of future research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Milanowicz ◽  
Piotr Kałowski

Abstract Literature points towards the role of context in irony interpretation and the existence of gender differences in language use. We decided to examine the influence of interlocutors’ gender stereotypes on interpreting and reacting to ironic criticism in conversation. To this end, we designed two experiments gathering participants’ responses to the same ironic utterances voiced both by women and by men in control and gender stereotype activation conditions. Results of the first experiment showed that women tended to use irony significantly more often when responding to a man than to another woman. The second, ongoing experiment will additionally examine participants’ response times and total time of utterance in respect to their addressee’s gender. The results are discussed with regard to the social comparison theory (Turner, Hogg, Oakes, Reicher, & Wetherell, 1987) and the linguistic intergroup bias theory (Wigboldus & Douglas, 2007).


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Saheeh Shafi

This paper aims at a precise interpretation of gender stereotypes portrayed in the three selected TV advertisements in order to find out their implications in Bangladeshi context. The analysis begins with Goffman’s Gender Stereotypes Hypothesis, a theoretical framework to examine and justify the thematic features present in the ads. After critically examining the hypothesis and Kress and Van Leeuwen’s Systemic Functional Analysis framework is used to analyse and interpret the semiotic features such as; the signs and symbols. After that, Fairclough’s Discourse Analysis is used to find out the stylistic features and their implied meanings in the advertisements to search the social, cultural and political implications. Then the paper uses Pope’s The Rape of the Lock and it’s Cultural-Ecofeminist Analysis of Francois d’Eaubonne to connect the above mentioned frameworks from a contextual view-point. To give the interpretation of Stereotypes deeply rooted in the minds of both male and female, Freud’s Psychoanalysis is used. Both Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis are taken into consideration for exploring the Gender Stereotypes thoroughly. This research is basically a blend of Literature, Language and Gender along with other Disciplines to interpret Stereotypes from a holistic framework. To predict the future progression of the gender representations and their implications in the coming years in Bangladesh, an umbrella term “Multi-Disciplinary Framework” will be used to examine whether the changes in gender roles both at home and outside in the workplaces due to the changes in different socio-economic and cultural factors are reflected or not in the TV advertisements.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 233372141882286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra C. H. Nowakowski ◽  
Alan Y. Chan ◽  
Jordan Forrest Miller ◽  
J. E. Sumerau

More openly sexually and gender diverse people are aging into later life across the world as generational transitions occur. People identifying many different ways beyond cisgender and heterosexual are diverse with respect to many other characteristics and sociopolitical locations across the globe and may thus experience a wide array of health journeys both individually and as partners in intimate relationships. In this review article, we summarize the major contributions of and ongoing gaps in existing studies about such couples’ experiences of chronic disease management in later life. We focus on three key groups of findings from prior research about the health of older sexually and/or gender diverse couples: care practices, unmet needs, and diverse resources. We outline priorities for future research within and across these topic areas and in varied locations, with unique recommendations for scholars in both academic and clinical settings. These recommendations support greater integration of such populations, topics, and needs in existing discourse on aging and late life. Likewise, recommendations from this review illuminate potential best practices for engaging and serving these elders in both academic and applied settings.


2016 ◽  
pp. 1201-1227
Author(s):  
Senada Arucevic

Over the last decade, vast research has been conducted on assistive technology devices and the potential implementation of these devices in the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. Many devices are new to the public and may require further development, but it is important to disseminate information about these useful technologies, which often afford users more independence with their activities of daily living. Unfortunately individuals with disabilities often encounter stigma; research suggests that assistive technology devices may at times contribute to this ostracism. This chapter reviews a variety of technologies that have been used to improve the quality of life of individuals with varying disabilities. These devices are presented in the context of introducing a new children's television show, Realabilities, a pro-social and stop-bullying children's television program that seeks to enhance the social interaction and initiation of typical children towards children with disabilities. Directions for future research and implementation of these devices are also discussed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uwe Kjær Nissen

During the last three decades, many recommendations for a gender fair Spanish language have been proposed, but, generally speaking, it has been the substitution of the so-called 'masculine generic' (e.g. los profesores 'the teachers [masc.]') by gender neutral (e.g. el pro¬fesorado 'the staff of teachers) or explicit references (e.g. los profesores y (las) profesoras 'the teachers [masc. and fem., resp.]') which has been favoured. Two important assumptions are implicit in these recommendations. First, the sentences containing the masculine forms would lead to associations primarily to men (thus leaving women 'invisible'), whereas sentences containing either the gender-neutral forms or the gender-explicit references would evoke a generic association. Second, the associations between form and mental representation are considered inalterable and unlikely to change over time. This paper intends to interrogate these assumptions by means of two questionnaire investigations that were carried out in Spain in 1995 and 2005 in which native speakers of Spanish were asked to complete specific filler sentences. The results of both investigations demonstrate that there is no clear-cut correspondence between certain linguistic forms and the mental (gender-) representations evoked in peoples' minds. For example, a masculine form is not automatically connected with a male image. The investigation also shows that some associations significantly change over time; for example, a clear male bias of the masculine form in the first study seems to have vanished within a time span of ten years. With respect to another aim of the gender fair recommendations - namely to make women more visible in public discourse – the investigations show that this, indeed, is best achieved by explicitly referring to women. Interestingly, this result appears to be stable over time. Altogether, it seems justifiable to conclude that the assumptions underlying the recommendations for a gender fair language can be challenged. At any rate, it is important to point out that these assumptions are subject to change over time - at least within politically influenced language matters – and perhaps faster than has been expected.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sarah Turner McGowen

Discourse strongly influences the ways in which ideologies are formed, maintained, and contested, thus the dialogue surrounding political sex scandals may shape the ways in which individuals negotiate their own beliefs and behaviors. Research into political sex scandals is further complicated by the changing nature of interactions within a new media environment, involving numerous voices and perspectives. This research project attempts to look closely at this phenomenon, discovering the cultural discourses surrounding political sex scandals and critiquing the assumptions made therein. The first chapter will explain the importance and significance of the study of political sex scandals. The second chapter will then review the extant literature surrounding the study of political sex scandals, as well as covering gender and sexuality and new media theories. The third chapter describes the multi-methodological approach for the study, detailing a case study for this project. The fourth chapter reviews the rhetorical strategies employed in the political sex scandal, Weinergate. The fifth chapter describes the content analysis of messages about Weinergate sent through the social media website Twitter. The sixth chapter critiques the ideological messages surrounding the Weinergate scandal, specifically as they relate to sex, sexualities, and gender roles. The seventh and final chapter discusses limitations of this project and suggestions for future research.


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