Representations of Gender and Sexuality in Youth Media

Abstract

One consistent source of socialization of gender and sexuality for youth is entertainment screen media. This chapter summarizes recent conclusions from content analyses on the representation of gender and sexuality in entertainment screen media popular among and created for youth. In terms of gender, (1) male characters outnumber female characters, (2) female characters are supposed to care about their appearance and be sexy, whereas male characters are supposed to be large and muscular, (3) male characters are more likely to be physically aggressive, whereas female characters are more likely to be relationally aggressive, (4) male characters are more likely to portray science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers and hobbies, whereas female characters are more likely to portray careers and interests in humanities and the arts, and (5) male characters are more likely to be leaders than female characters. In terms of sexuality, (1) sexual talk and behaviors are frequent, (2) heterosexual relationships are assumed and naturalized, (3) many sexual interactions conform to a “heterosexual script” wherein female characters are supposed to assume responsibility for sexual interactions, whereas male characters are sex-obsessed, and (4) sex is portrayed in mainly recreational ways. Recommendations for future research are discussed.