Q. Watch any child-oriented cartoon on television. Describe the obvious and implied messages (both positive and negative) apparent in the cartoon about race and ethnicity and gender differences. Consider how these messages may affect gender and ethnic development in young children.
The cartoon show that I will be discussing in the paper is the famous Tom and Jerry Show. I will be highlighting how messaging is apparent about race, ethnicity and gender differences.
The gender differences highlighted in the cartoon is stark and rampant through the show:
- Visually the differences between the male cat/mouse or dog and the female cat/mouse or dog are the eyes and lips. The female characters have long eyelashes and red full lips implying the usage of make-up which is associated to women in real life as well.
- The female characters may wear a piece of clothing generally similar to young girls such as skirts whereas the male characters are shown wearing tuxedo jackets or fedora caps in certain episodes.
- In case the characters dress up Tom, Jerry and Spike are usually wearing colours like black or brown whereas their female counterparts wear printed clothing usually flowers and bright colours such as red or pink.
- With regards to violence it is always the male characters who indulge in violence whereas the female characters are often shown reading or singing or simply standing in the balcony staring at the clouds.
Race and ethnicity as portrayed in The Tom and Jerry Show. I will limit the discussion to language and colour:
- The alley cats are shown speaking in a language which is similar to the way the African American people speak in places such as Brooklyn or Detroit.
- Tom’s caretaker whose legs are often shown in the show are those of an African American woman as her skin colour is dark and so are the structure of her hips which are broad and wide. Such distinctive features are usually associated with African American women.
Children usually are unable to pick up the racial and ethnic differences in cartoons as it is limited only to the colour of the skin. In retrospect, it is the gender difference that is more apparent to them, especially with regards to visual representation as opposed to behavioural differences. In other cartoons such as Dexter’s Laboratory and Phineas and Ferb, the behavioural difference between the genders is more apparent. For instance, the boys – Dexter, Phineas and Ferb – are usually involved in activity related to science and math, whereas their sisters – Dee Dee and Candance – are seen involved in activities such as dance or writing. Dee Dee and Candace are also shown as screaming and being more vocal as compared to the boys. Such behavioural representation further endorses the stereotype that boys are better at math while girls are more creative/verbal.
Such messaging leads to children sticking to their own groups while interacting with other children. For instance, same sex play, where boys prefer to play with other boys and the girls limit themselves to playing with girls only. Since young children emulate the cartoons, boys may indulge in violent games, racing games or adventure games whereas girls play indoors with their dolls, or imitate other women orientated chores by playing house. As mentioned above, the racial difference is based on colour and not behaviour for young children. Sometimes, children restrict themselves to playing with children of the same colour as it makes them feel more comfortable. This difference can be overcome if cartoon shows would show people from different backgrounds mingle harmoniously.
