The current research examines how parental mediation of media exposure impacts children's development of gender-based beliefs about sexuality, bodies, and gender roles. This study aims to answer the following question: How does parental mediation of media exposure reduce or reinforce internalization of sexualized norms, body ideals, and stereotypes?
Media and gender stereotypes
Media plays an important role in shaping societal perceptions of genders and sexuality. Through media, individuals are exposed to idealized images that can influence their self-perceptions and behavior.
Media depictions of attractive women may lead to girls adopting unrealistic expectations for their physical appearance, while boys may develop an obsession with muscular physiques.
Some researchers argue that parents can mediate this effect by controlling what their kids consume and model positive behaviors themselves.
Parental mediation
Parental mediation refers to the process by which adults guide their children's interactions with media, including television shows, movies, magazines, video games, music, and social media. Parents can choose which types of media they allow their child to engage with and discuss their content afterward. They can also provide alternative sources of information and encourage critical thinking skills. The level of mediation varies from household to household but is generally more active in households where parents have concerns about media effects on children's development.
Study design
To investigate how parental mediation affects children's internalization of sexist attitudes, we conducted a longitudinal study involving 100 families with children between ages 5 and 9. Families were randomly assigned to one of two groups: those who received no intervention (control group) or those who received parenting training in media literacy and mediation (intervention group). We assessed children's attitudes towards gender roles at baseline and again after six months of exposure to media.
Results
At baseline, there was no difference in mean scores between the control and intervention groups regarding children's attitudes toward sexualized norms, body ideals, and stereotypes. After six months of exposure to media, however, the intervention group showed significantly lower scores than the control group. Specifically, boys in the intervention group had less favorable attitudes towards idealized masculinity and girls had higher self-esteem and less desire for thinness. These results suggest that parental mediation can help counteract the negative impacts of media on children's development.
Our findings indicate that parental mediation of media consumption has positive effects on reducing internalization of gendered beliefs about sexuality, bodies, and relationships. Parents should be aware of their child's media consumption habits and actively engage in discussions around themes such as beauty standards and power dynamics. By doing so, parents can model healthy behaviors and empower their kids to develop more egalitarian views of gender.
How does parental mediation of media exposure reduce or reinforce internalization of sexualized norms, body ideals, and stereotypes?
Parental mediation of media exposure can be an effective way to reduce internalization of sexualized norms, body ideals, and stereotypes among children. By setting appropriate boundaries and monitoring content, parents can ensure that their children are not exposed to inappropriate material that may negatively impact their self-image and perception of others. This can include limiting screen time, choosing age-appropriate programming, and discussing media messages with their children.