Television cartoons: Do children notice it's a boy's world?

This study involved structured interviews with 89 children ranging in age from 4 to 9 years to determine how they perceived the presentation of male and female characters in cartoons. Approximately 85% of the respondents were Caucasian, and 15% were African American. Consistent with a recent content analysis of cartoons, the children perceived most cartoon characters in stereotypical ways-boys were violent and active and girls were domestic, interested in boys, and concerned with appearances. Significant relationships were observed between noticing gender-stereotypic behaviors in the cartoon characters and reporting more traditional job expectations for self and others. The type of cartoon preferred by the children and whether their mother worked outside the home seemed to be related to their perceptions.