Theoretical perspectives ranging from Social Cognitive Theory to Cultivation Theory agree that childhood is a critical point in socialization and that television is a major socialization tool. Studying content popular among children can provide insight into the norms and values being presented to young people. How those values and norms have changed over time can also be explored by looking at changes in children’s media content.
One area of media portrayal that can provide interesting insight into American childhood is the varied portrayal of family in popular children’s animated television programming. Current programming on three popular children’s television networks, Disney Jr., Nick Jr., and PBS Kids were analyzed and include a range of family representations - from two-parent and single-parent nuclear families to larger, intergenerational families. These programs include Elena of Avalor, Peppa Pig, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Doc McStuffins, Dora the Explorer, Goldie & Bear and many more. The representation of family on these programs were also compared to past popular animated children’s programming. These programs include classics such as Care Bears, The Smurfs, Duck Tales, The Flinstones, The Jetsons, Rugrats, Berenstein Bears, Arthur and more.
About the presenterAmy Franzini
Amy Richards Franzini is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Widener University in Chester, PA. She received both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Mass Media and Communications from Temple University. Dr. Franzini studies the representations of children, childhood, parents and parenting in popular media. Dr. Franzini has chapters published in the books, Common Sense: Intelligence as Presented on Popular Television (2008) and Fleeting Images:Portrayals of Children in Popular Culture (2012).