A Gender Perspective in Analyzing Film Production for Children as a Source for Coeducation Análisis de Género del Cine de Animación Infantil como Recurso para una Escuela Coeducativa

Abstract

This research analyzes the female and male characters in 11 movies for children produced by Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks. It seeks to provide useful information on the existence of sexist and discriminatory roles in films that are commonly used as pedagogical materials and to discover if this material rather than helping professionals in educating children for gender equality, becomes a means by which children may learn counter values. The study has been carried out using a qualitative approach and content analysis has been followed in order to access the percentage of female characters in the films, its relationship with other characters and the plot patterns that are given to each main character depending on their gender. Results reveal that there is an unequal representation of female and male characters, and gender stereotypes and sexist behaviors that perpetuate the roles and traditional social image endorsed to women and men are identified. As conclusion, it can be argued that these films cannot be considered as educational resources that promote that gender equality values that characterize any coeducational experience at the school unless both teachers and children undertake a critical analysis with a gender perspective during the film screening in the classroom.