4) What in tarnation are them dern kids watchin' these days?!

Living at home with a younger sister, I’m definitely exposed to more than my fill of Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon. But after sorting through all the high-pitched voices, petty teen drama, and horrible over-acting, I saw that even television shows aimed toward children are laden with ideas of what is feminine and masculine.


Total Drama Island is a cartoon series mocking reality TV shows. Contestants do challenges each week in the hope of attaining the grand prize. The first thing you notice in this show is the exaggerated appearance of the characters. ALL the women, despite their weights, have enormous breasts and hips. Plus, about 3 or 4 of the women are scantily clad, wearing only booty shorts and a skimpy top. Most of the men also have extremely chiseled looks, with defined chins and large upper body muscles. I’ve never sat through an episode, but I’m sure the dialogue is just as irritatingly stilted (which Cartoon Network rates TV-PG for being “mildly flirtatious”).


Drake and Josh is one of Nickelodeon’s staples. It is a live-action series about two boys who become stepbrothers and the hilarity that ensues. As much as I actually enjoy this one, it is pretty awful if looked at from a feminist standpoint. Drake is basically, a man whore. The only thing he cares about is women. He is often found randomly making out with a girl he’s met just minutes before. It is made worse by the fact that the women do not protest. They are completely satisfied with being made Drake’s object. Why? Because he’s so hot and such a good kisser! Whenever the noticeably “uncooler” brother, Josh, says anything contrary to Drake, he is immediately shut down. What kind of message is this sending to impressionable young girls AND boys?


iCarly is a series about a girl and her friends with a popular internet web-show. As much as Drake and Josh shows single-minded men, iCarly shows that girls are just shallow. For instance, in one episode, the main character has a crush on an older guy who is a musician. Carly invites him onto her show to sing live. When she finds out he is a terrible singer, she does not find him attractive anymore. Fortunately, her geeky tech friend alters the singing voice, saving her show (phew, I was worried there for a second). Carly’s older brother and guardian (in his late-20’s probably) also shows some shallow qualities. He usually plays the quirky funny character, but occasionally he’ll slip into slimeball mode. A girl scout needs to sell more cookies and Spencer immediately helps out because the mom is “hot.” Carly even asks why he’s helping a little girl. He says bluntly, “Hot mom,” and Carly just accepts it as normal. Personally, I found it kind of creepy.


From what I’ve seen on children’s television, it’s a miracle we come out with any sense of morality (not that “adult shows” promote anything better). If girls learn to be feminine from their favorite shows, they gather that showing skin and wearing cool clothes get the guys’ attention. Boys learn that masculinity is about treating women as something less than them, and both genders will assume appearances mean everything. These channels are subconsciously influencing kid’s brains right from the beginning. The big corporations ought to put their influence on children’s minds to better use. Right now, they’re really encouraging them act in ways that are not appropriate for their age. I find the predominant depictions of teens as loose, suggestive, and morally deficit to be pretty disconcerting. This repeated portrayal of provocative themes may be contributing to skewed sexual attitudes among America's youth.