Level: Grades 6 to 8

Overview

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In this lesson, students identify stereotypical images of girls and women as represented by female action heroes. After viewing an excerpt from children’s television programs that feature male or female action heroes, students deconstruct the traits of the main characters and compare the female action heroes to their male counterparts. Students discuss the purpose of television stereotypes, and whether these gender stereotypes influence the attitudes or behaviour of boys or girls. In small groups, students then assume the role of television producers who wish to create a television series about male or female superhero free of gender and other stereotypes.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

• an awareness of how the media perpetuate gender stereotypes
• an awareness of how the students themselves respond to, or are influenced by, these stereotypes
• an appreciation of how gender representation in children’s programming has changed over the past few decades
• an understanding of the action-hero genre, and why women are less likely to assume prominent roles in it

Preparation and Materials

• For the extension activity, or to use as a teaching backgrounder, photocopy the student handout From Sailor Moon to Powerpuff Girls
• For more information about television stereotypes, photocopy the Stereotypes teaching backgrounder
• Locate a short clip of a TV program featuring a female superhero

Procedure

Note: The point of this lesson is for students to articulate what qualities they enjoy or admire in a female action hero, and why. The teacher should point out that it's not “bad” to enjoy such attributes — but that it's important for students to be aware of the ways in which girls and women are (or are not) portrayed.

Explain to students that although cartoons featuring male action heroes have been a staple of children’s television for over fifty years, the idea of female action heroes is fairly new: it’s only recently that they’ve achieved any presence on children’s TV. As a result, this lesson will focus primarily on the images of girls and women appearing in these programs.

Guided Discussion

• Divide your blackboard into two sections, headed “Male Action Heroes” and “Female Action Heroes.”
• Ask students to think of television programs that feature action heroes, and list them under the appropriate heading.
• Have students analyze why they enjoy watching these programs, and get them to pinpoint the characteristics that make male and female protagonists into true action heroes/heroines. List these qualities under the appropriate column heading.

Look at the two headings, and decide:

• What are the similarities between male and female superheroes?
• What are the differences?

Show a short clip of a television program that features a female superhero. Before viewing the clip, ask the students to note down the characteristics that are associated with the girls and women appearing in the program, as well as those of any boys and men. What are some points they might be concerned about? Make sure that they consider aspects such as appearance, behaviour and attitudes.

After the clip, list the students’ findings and discuss the characteristics they noted. Ask:

• Did you find that the characteristics of boys and men, and of girls and women, were stereotypical?
• Which of these characteristics might be limiting? How?
• Which of these characteristics might be positive? How?
• Do any of these characteristics accurately reflect the qualities of real girls and boys?
• What might happen if most children’s programs portrayed boys and girls in a stereotypical manner?
• Do the toy action figures of these superheroes counter these stereotypes, or reinforce them?
• If students have younger siblings who play with television action figures, do they create their own stories or stick with the plot lines of the program?

Activity

Divide the class into small groups, with each group assuming the role of television producers who have been asked to create a new superhero cartoon series for kids aged 5-8. These producers want the program to be entertaining, and also to be non-stereotypical: it should provide good role models for young viewers. Tell the students to be creative!

• Make a list of the various positive characteristics your female or male action hero should have. Some examples might be: girls and women leading others, fighting for important causes, showing bravery, caring about their female friends, and being interested in matters other attracting the attention of boys or men. Examples of positive characteristics for boys and men might be taking care of others, finding ways of solving problems other than fighting, and being sensitive and caring.
• Every heroine or hero needs a trusty sidekick. What might her/his non-stereotypical traits be?
• Draw pictures of your female/male action hero and her/his friends. Remember to incorporate characteristics that challenge conventional stereotypes.
• Create a storyboard for an episode of the new TV program. What happens in it? What action elements are different from a conventional show?
• Have each group present its work to the rest of the class.

Extension Activity: Grades 7 and 8

• Distribute the handout From Sailor Moon to Powerpuff Girls
• Have students read the essay, and then complete the accompanying questions.

Evaluation

• Group superhero assignment
• Completed questions for “From Sailor Moon to Powerpuff Girls”