Tuesday, April 8, 2014

FINAL PAPER

GREATER DEPTHS OF TV SHOWS AND ITS PSYCHOLOGY









A Research Paper Presented to
English Resource Center
School of Accountancy and Business
Asia Pacific College
Magallanes, Makati













In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for the Course
RESWRIT – Research Writing

















Franmar Jasper L. Pacheco
December 2013










Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION



A.    Background of the Study

TV shows and Cartoons are often viewed for mere entertainment purposes only. Oftentimes, as we dwell on stage of fun and excitement, we seldom see the relevant backstory of a certain show. Every cartoon show has its depth to it. People who are keen enough to dig deeper with its details are more likely to satisfy the profound lesson a cartoon show has to offer, despite its remarks and contents shallowness. Cartoon characters are as endearing to adults as children. Many times we can relate to them. Most of the time we just love to laugh at their antics and misfortune. That being said, it has a certain impact that varies depending on its audience’s perception towards the show. Children, as an audience of these cartoons, are curious about the elements of it, and sometimes totally ignorant about its darker meaning. On the other hand, the more mature audiences (adults) can view these details in many different perspectives. Numerous interpretations can be made, and countless assumptions may occur. Nevertheless, it only goes to show the intellectual prowess men possess.

However, in our current status quo, TV shows and cartoons have grown more and more mature regarding its depictions and portrayals. Cinematography and animations has picked up its pace. It deliberately masks a certain message, regardless if it’s dark or colourful, thus injecting a deeper sense into a normal TV shows. We grew up watching such shows as Looney Tunes, Scooby Doo, Winnie the Pooh, The Simpsons, Adventure Time, Powerpuff Girls, and countless others. These shows were perfect for both children and their parents to watch on those lazy Sunday mornings. Cartoons nowadays don't even compare to what they had back in the day. This goes to prove that cinematography and animation is in the peak of its evolution and we can’t deny the fact that greater depths and meanings in these cartoon shows are present. Even some of the shows contain horrifying details that are too much for a child to bear with. Yet, being a child and having an innocent mind, these shows are just viewed for mere fun and laughing matter only. However, in a mature perception, these cartoons actually portray a rather violent and heavy detail.

Cartoons were made to teach children about morals and life themes like the difference between good versus evil, how to treat others, etc. But they also taught us that sometimes adult cartoon artists were a bit messed up in the head. But these artists proved that their drunken visions of cartoon characters made for great television. (Amanda Andrews, 2013) In addition to Andrews work, Cartoons are often portrayals of the fun side of this world. Despite all of the societal and political problems a country has, these cartoon shows helps us ease the pain of having to think about work, school, and all the daily dilemmas in our lives. Although sometimes, a lot of misconception and wrong interpretations often lead to psychological and emotional harm to its audience, most rampant in children. (http://myintrovertedreality.squarespace.com/television-news/2013/3/22/90s-cartoon-shows-true-meanings)

Originally, cartoons were made for the entertainment of children. But as our generations evolved, and the demands of a more mature audience has grown, people started producing sophisticated cartoon shows. "While the vast enthusiasm for shows leads the argument that television has entered a golden age of mature storytelling, animation has always thrived in the format with broad appeal indicative of different expectations that liberate the form. Even before "The Simpsons" proved the viability of adult-oriented primetime animation, "Looney Tunes" demonstrated the ageless appeal of comical comedy and that visual humor has the capacity to entrance viewers of all ages with a more complex set of access points. These cartoon shows can please everyone from a seven-year-old who may find it delightfully colourful to a 50-year-old who can appreciate its take on a mature perspective." (ERIC KOHN, 2012)  That being said, it goes to show how flexible cartoon shows have been offered to mass media. There are no limitations. People of all ages can still enjoy the art of cartoon animation and cinematography. (http://www.indiewire.com/article/why-adventure-time-now-in-its-fifth-season-is-more-groundbreaking-than-you-may-realize)


"Childhood ruined", is the most common remark of people, particularly teenagers and adults who have uncovered the truth behind a certain childhood favourite show. "Many of us are happy to believe that our favorite childhood cartoons, movies and books are totally innocent... The theories are compelling and could change the way you view your favorite characters forever." (Ashley Lutz, 2012) Cartoon shows are one of the significant foundations a person usually started with.  It mainly begins in the early childhood of a person, as they live within the era of fondness with cartoon shows, fairytales, bedtime stories, and animations. Discovering new found facts and uncovering a backstory or history of a certain cartoon show can be shocking for a person. This can be harmful in a way, psychologically and emotionally. Some people tend to be inclined with these foundation of their childhood that they can’t seem to detach from it. It goes to prove the strong stability of one’s childhood memories that affects their general disposition in life. (http://www.businessinsider.com/these-sinister-theories-will-change-how-you-feel-about-childhood-cartoons-2012-5?op=1#ixzz2nfSwSn11)

Cartoons have grown more mature nowadays, we can’t deny that fact. As we commence with our evolution as man, so does our ability to perceive things. Moreover, TV shows, as a medium of information and entertainment has generally evolved as well. Yet, the production of these cartoon shows have been somehow "censored" to cater younger audiences. However, its background and history has more to offer, and sometimes, a deeper meaning is hidden for the purpose having it available for the enjoyment of children and only mature audiences will understand this information. Therefore, having the knowledge of the different psychologies our present cartoon shows represent, we will be able to figure out the greater depths of these shows and how it normally affects a certain audience, depending on their level of maturity.

This paper aims to provide information and open the eyes of the audiences about these cartoon TV shows regarding its greater depth, as well as the psychological effects it brings towards its audiences and explain in an academic approach.



B. Statement of Problem

                This study aims to answer this question
         1) What are greater depths beyond cartoon TV shows and how does it affect its audience psychologically?



C. Significance of the Study

Children. They are the main and common audiences of these cartoon TV shows, therefore this research paper would be able to assess the different psychological effects on cartoon TV shows and how they normally affect a normal child, of a normal age. Being them as the main focus of this study, this study would be able to extract certain information about the effects and psychology beyond cartoon TV shows.

Adults. This study would allow adults to evaluate the different cartoon shows’ depth and assess themselves whether they have been affected by these childhood memories. This would also give adults reasonable information regarding the different psychological effects of these shows, if ever they are still inclined with these cartoon TV shows. Also, it would provide the necessary information about the effects of these cartoons in a mature perspective.

Parents. This research paper will greatly inform parents about the information within these cartoon TV shows their children are so fond of. This would also help parents to control or maximise the privilege of children to watch different kinds of cartoons. Also, this would inform parents to classify how appropriate a certain show would be for their children, depending on their mental maturity. This would also provide parents information about the new era of mass media, regarding animation and cartoons.

Psychology Students. This research paper would present accessible information regarding psychological effects of TV shows, particularly cartoon TV shows, in connection with a person’s childhood, and how it generally affect a person through the course of their maturity.

Mass Media (Television). Knowledge of this study would inform people who are affiliated to movie productions, animation, and cartooning on how they would construct an effective way to send out viable information towards their audiences, in a safe and friendly manner, not going beyond its parameters and limit itself to prevent further harm to immature audiences, particularly children.

Future Researchers. Information in this study would be crucial for future researchers who would make similar studies, regarding TV shows, cartoons, and its Psychology. It would be a great help for future researches who would engage in this kind of topic, for the information available in this paper will be constructive and instructive.

D. Scope and Delimitation

                This study only focuses on the greater depths of cartoon TV shows and how it greatly affects its audiences psychologically. This study also focuses on the different effects of these TV shows to children and how they perceive these shows and adults regarding the effects of their childhood towards their general disposition at present.



E. Materials and Methods

                The research intends to use the method of locating things and making a pattern from it since the researcher aims to discuss how the greater depths of cartoon TV shows affect its audiences. There will be psychological connections and relevance in this study. Also, this paper will focus on the assessment these cartoon TV shows’ audiences regarding its specific maturity level.

                All information in relevance to the study was gathered from various articles from online sources.





Chapter 2
DISCUSSION

What are greater depths beyond cartoon TV shows and how does it affect its audience psychologically?


Psychology in Cartoon TV shows

                Although cartoon shows represent something of good moral, something that would symbolize the nature of good vs. evil. Many cartoon shows that ran in the 90’s illustrated something of deeper meaning, something that has psychological depth.

According to the article Psychology in Cartoons by Curtis Silver, as he quoted "Cartoons are an ingrained part of our culture. We grew up on cartoons, and the lessons found therein. Cartoons have exponentially changed over the past 30 years in that they have morphed into basic insanity. There are still cartoons that present certain lessons to take away, but nothing compared to the cartoons of our youth in the 1980s" http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/02/psychology-of-cartoons-part-1-scooby-doo/

There are a lot of cartoon shows that represent and portray psychological matters. Examples of which is the show Winnie The Pooh. Each and every character in this show represents various types of psychological disorders According to the article Pathology in the Hundred Acre Wood: a neurodevelopmental perspective on A.A. Milne written by Sarah E. Shea and Kevin Gordon in the website Canadian Medical Association Journal they listed down all the mental disorder that the characters of the show may possess.

Christopher Robin, the young boy who owns the toy characters in the show which apparently came to life and joins him in his every day journey as his best friends. This certain behaviour can be distinguished as of having a malfunction in the perception of reality, which is certainly evident in Christopher having hallucinations where he imagines his stuffed toys are alive. This certain disorder is characterized as Schizophrenia.
His stuffed toy best friend Winnie The Pooh, though you may not think of this as a mental disorder, the cause of it is Pooh’s low self esteem which is psychological resulting in his excessive need for honey, therefore is suffering from Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

The tiny little pink piglet in the show famously known as Piglet gets overly-nervous several times and this is apparent in the way his ears subtly twitch. This disorder is scientifically characterized as Panophobia or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 

Tigger exhibits a certain condition of the brain which results in hyperactivity and trouble paying attention. This type of behaviour can be specified as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
There is this small kangaroo named Roo in the show, is growing up in a single-parent household, which puts him at high risk for Poorer Outcome. It is predicted that he will someday be a delinquent, jaded, adolescent Roo hanging out late at night at the top of the forest, the ground littered with broken bottles of extract of malt and the butts of smoked thistles
Rabbit is friendly, but irritable. He fancies himself the smartest animal in the Hundred Acre Wood. He insists on doing things his way and is obsessed with rules, planning and order. This expresses a distinct anxiety disorder in which the person suffers from obsessive thoughts and compulsive tendencies. This type of disorder is called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Owl is the stuffy and talkative eldest main character who acts as a mentor and teacher to the others. Being excessively preoccupied with himself and believes that he is the most clever animal in the wood, boasting how he has brains whilst “the others have fluff". This personality can be distinguished as Narcissistic Personality Disorder. 
Eeyore is the donkey character who talks slow and is always projected as sad, alone, and lifeless, from his colour to his facial expressions and mannerisms. This certain personality depicts a certain psychological problem called DepressionA mental state characterized by a dejected and gloomy feeling surrounding them and a lack of activity.

This goes to show that many cartoon shows which ran and that many children loved embodied much psychological entities and problems that many people tend to ignore. The main goal of these shows is to teach children values, though they added the humour of the story and the adorable features of the character, these shows can actually contain psychological matters that most people cannot see. The beauty of it is that, although these shows are for mere fun and entertainment only, it actually has a greater depth to it that is evident. That is why these shows are special. We don’t consider these kind of shows to be heavy in its content, but often times than not, it has.

For me, these psychological entities can be a great help for its audience, as they can be informed by the knowledge of these disorders and their symptoms, as well as Psychology itself. These cartoon shows can be a great tool for the spread of information, especially to children. However, some psychological portrayals are rather dark and heavy in content that younger audiences may not handle. In conclusion, psychology contained in cartoon TV shows is genius. It’s art by nature, and only smart writers can come up with these kind of remarkable piece of work. Winnie The Pooh is one of the many examples of cartoons that portray psychology. We can’t see these entities at first glance once we watch them, but if we assess them deeper, we can see the beauty behind these shows.



Violence

Cartoon shows are supposed to be funny. They are supposed to bring smiles to its audience’s faces and laughter to their lives. It’s supposed to contain colourful and lively contents. But sometimes, these shows actually portray a darker side and sense which many people tend to ignore, although it’s obvious. There can be many effects this violent content in cartoons, most especially in children of younger ages.

According to the article Cartoon Violence by George Drinka, M.D., as he quotes ‘‘In the article, the researchers are especially concerned about a subgroup of kids in their study who manifest perhaps the greatest trends toward aggressive behaviors, namely boys of lower socio-economic status. Although there may be many other factors afoot in these boys’ development, like their being raised in single parent homes, their having genetic proclivities toward impulsivity and hyperactivity, and often their viewing real life struggles between parental figures, their problems seem likely to be even more deeply impacted on by viewing violence in the media. And this lifelong process may begin in the form of violent cartoon’’ http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/when-the-media-is-the-parent/201306/cartoon-violence-and-children-s-sleep

Children learn a lot from the media. They imitate what they see and hear. They identify with the characters, even cartoon ones. These very young children cannot state the lessons they learn in words. Yet on an implicit, verbally unstated level, they are learning how to be in the world, even while watching characters like Scooby Doo or Power Rangers or puppets like those on Sesame Street. They mimic and emulate what they see. They act on what they see. That’s when violence affects these young audiences.

One example of a cartoon show that greatly portrays violence is The Simpsons. In this article that I've read which is about Sad Truth Behind The Simpsons written by someone who calls himself The Stickman in the blog site ScrewAttack, he clearly brought out the main reason why Homer Simpson's personality is as bad as it gets, as he quotes "Homer an his upbringing. Homer Simpson’s relationship with Bart Simpson is rather dreadful.  It is evident in most of the episodes that Homer oftenly physically hurts Bart, choking him when he does something wrong. This type of parenting is dreadful to the eyes of its viewers, especially young and innocent. These are the most probable cause of Bart Simpson's life as a juvenile delinquent.

As early as her infant age, Maggie, the youngest offspring of The Simpsons, entails that there's a whole list of disturbing incidents involving Maggie that suggest she will one day become a violent, deranged person. All in all, it paints a grim picture for Maggie's mental stability, turned violent by her surroundings, she seems fated to a life of crime and violence. She may look all innocent and cute, but when you ask her about it she just sits there, silently suckling away on her dummy, what's she planning? When you put aside the humor on these scenes and based it on reality, it is really dreadful to see that as young as that, you can already see the effect on her, on how much the violence in her household caused her to adapt to it and be like it.

What is the Negative Effect? The effect is on children’s sleep. Kids who watch cartoons like “Scooby Doo” or “The Simpsons” are more likely to experience sleep disturbance than kids who watch other cute and funny shows. Children are more concrete, more literal, the authors of the scholarly article suggest. They are prone to seeing comic violence as potentially frightening, anxiety inducing, similar to how actor-mediated violence often impacts on older children and even adults.

Violence in cartoons can be dangerous, especially when children are exposed to it. Although there are humour on top to sugar-coat its bad contents, it has still bad effects to children. They can imitate these violent gestures and they can be as violent as these cartoon shows suggest. Also, parents should be aware of this, that their children may be exposed to this kind of violence through cartoons. Should parents be alarmed?  Perhaps not exactly alarmed, but they should be concerned about the ill effects of media violence on their children.

For me, the show presents a wide variety of arguments, containing reasonable yet blunt ideology. For some reason, I feel good to have the chance to scrutinize the show. Apart from all the humour I got from it, it's really nice to really catch the message and realize how important these morals are. The representations made in the show are considered to be an indirect approach to tell the world that our society is screwed up. The show presents itself as a good example only if you reverse its psychology, because we all know it as some nonsense, pointless cartoon series, but when you really dig deeper, you can always find treasure in it. Violence is everywhere. It doesn’t necessarily mean that we will be violent when we watch them as kids, it’s how we perceive it and how we are controlled.


Stereotyping and Racism

Stereotyping is a thought process that organizes beliefs about one group of people and assigns them to everyone in that group. An example of stereotyping would be that you believe. It has been evident in most cartoon shows. We often don’t see them, but most of the time, it sets a certain mindset to people.

Gender stereotyping is present in most cartoon shows. Male cartoon characters are not only more prominent than female characters, but they also portray a broader range of masculine traits. Male characters are powerful, strong, smart, and aggressive. And, even as women's occupational roles have changed over the past three decades, only a minute number of female cartoon characters are shown in non-traditional occupational roles such as doctors or police officers. The study did not find that female characters were primarily shown as 'damsels in distress.' Male characters tended to be the center of attention whether they were aggressors or victims. And this predominance of males in aggressive situations 'feeds into the stereotypical understandings of gender roles. Gender stereotypes that young minds are spending two to four hours a day viewing are often misled to its natural concept. The Bugs Bunny/Tweety Show, Aladdin, Ninja Turtles, The Mask, Eek!stravaganza, Spiderman, Tick and Life with Louie, all these shows portray characters that were rated on sex, prominence, gender stereotyping, aggressive behaviours and occupational roles.

The problem with this is, people’s mindset tends to be fixed and this can be a harmful source of stereotyping in the real world. Children can have a different take to this. They may get used to this idea, of male having more power than women in terms of their roles to the society. They can acquire the wrong notion to it and sometimes, it affects their judgement.

Deborah Orr, the author of ‘‘Gender Stereotyping is unhelpful and counter-productive’’, she quotes that ‘‘because that's the trouble with gender blaming. All misogynists are also misandrists. All misandrists are also misogynists. Saving your misanthropy for only one gender is just a not-so-fine distinction that leaves you stereotyping half of all people and arch typing the other half. Elevating individuals to archetypes may be less negative and nasty than reducing them to stereotypes. But it's still a refusal to see people for who they are, insisting instead that we are all identical microcosms representing all of our sex.’’ <http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/23/gender-stereotyping-unhelpful-counter-productive>

She also added that ‘‘and as for the fact that women "slut-shame" too, often with great enthusiasm? Well, that's the fault of "the patriarchy", whose greatest triumph as an oppressor of women, as a destroyer of female agency, seems at present to be its ability to reassure susceptible women that men are always to blame.’’

In the article, she explained that gender roles that raises assumptions that men are not responsible for their actions harms them just as much as it harms women. Gender stereotyping is harmful to the society, as much as it is harmful to audiences who are exposed to TV shows that portray it. There is no great divide in opinion between men and women on these matters. It will only push on the general idea that man or greater than women or vice-versa. Gender roles in the society, as men acquiring the roles of a much more powerful works instead of women having it, is not correct.

In my opinion, these gender stereotyping is common not only in cartoons but as well as in all shows and movies. I think the concept of it should be abolished. This could be fixed by actually imparting to women that are usually for men. There are various effects on children and general audiences in the notion of stereotyping. As a person who watches these cartoons, I have seen this idea and I have been affected by it. My mindset about gender versus roles has been deeply deviated away from the norm of the society. So, this can be applied in other people. That is why the idea of it should be abolished or fixed, as it may harm many audiences psychologically.


Sexism and Feminism

Sexism is not just a female issue. Prescriptive gender stereotypes are even more oppressive for men. And oftentimes, Feminism can be portrayed in many cartoon shows. Also, Sexism against women is also present, that men are greater than women. These can be dangerous to its viewers because it may affect their perception of gender power.

One example of a cartoon show that portrays Sexism is Kim Possible. The show degrades the male by making their image oppressed, in which case the article explains that women who act masculine would seem superior and expandable. She also explained that by way of nature girls are told they are to act pretty and boys to be smart and brave which the show disregards as all male characters are inferior to the heroine.

That being said, the representation of Kim Possible in the TV shows, when view in a deeper sense, is actually degrading for men. Not only does it exudes feminist ideologies, but it portrays and conducts particular points in it's show that makes Sexism obvious. Issues of where sexism is present is a serious matter where by history has been taught as a way of life, the ladies have to feed the children and the men have to earn the money but prejudice can be avoided through equality of roles.


Noah Berlatsky explains in his piece When Men Experience Sexism, as he quotes ‘‘when men suffer from sexism, then, they do so in much the same way women do. That is, they suffer not because women rule the world and are targeting men, nor because feminism has somehow triumphed and brainwashed all of our elected officials (most of them still men) into ideological misandry. Rather, men suffer because of the same gender role stereotypes that hurt and restrict women—though men, being of a different gender, fall afoul of those stereotypes in different ways. Women are supposed to be passive and domestic and sexual—so their employment options and autonomy are restricted and they are fetishized and targeted for sexual assault and exploitation. Men are supposed to be active and violent—so their claims to domestic rights are denigrated and violence directed against them is shrugged off as natural or non-notable.’’

Another thing TV shows portray is Feminism. It is basically the empowerment of women and the takes on women being powerful than men. One show portrays Feminism in its ways- The Powerpuff Girls.

The show manifests a certain gender message- that women are better than men. The fact that a bunch of little girls possess great amount of superpowers is uncommon. Usually, it's men who take up this kind of role, being a superhero and saving the day. But in this particular TV show, it pushes the idea of "girl power" and goes beyond rational expectations. The fact that they are just young (not even adolescent) girls already possessing that much power, being able to take over a bunch of crazy dudes and mad villains and giant creatures, is already exaggerating. It is as if the show puts so much stress on this "girl power".

Not to mention the mayor presented as somehow stubborn in handling Townsville as if he can't handle his own shit, which clearly represents that the mayor is weak with his authority, that he has to always call out the Powerpuff girls to do the necessary actions for him and for Townsville- Propagating that these girls are better than the mayor, thus, women being better than men Politically. Also, every villain in Townsville is a variety of male cast that are somewhat deranged by nature. The only relevant yet contradicting nature in the show that also depicts so much feminism.

An article about Feminism entitled How Feminism Hurt Men, by Micah Murray, states that ‘‘feminism elevates women at the expense of men, that its agenda to validate women emasculates us guys. For men, the rise of feminism has relegated us to second-class status. Inequality and discrimination have become part of our everyday lives’’ That being said, it's true how Feminism directly attacks the Patriarchal stands of men in general. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/micah-j-murray/how-feminism-hurts-men_b_4266733.html>

For me, Sexism and Feminism is such a strong message to portray in a cartoon TV show, considering its audiences. Men and Women are equal. Created equally, as the bible suggests. But there are just certain points in life wherein male are considered better, particular fields in this world where men can do better than most female. Of course, women can also outshine men over several fields in life. But in reality, men are biologically programmed to be stronger than female. That’s why the essence of Patriarchy is present. But by giving so much stress to the issue of women out-competing men, presenting it in blunt details are just rude and degrading. The Powerpuff Girls will always be for entertaining purposes, whatever its audience may be. 



Chapter 3
SUMMARRY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS


SUMMARY

This paper attempted to discover the greater depths beyond cartoon TV shows and how does it affect its audience psychologically.
This research provided reasonable information regarding current cartoon TV shows and their psychological portrayals and connected its effects on the general audience.  Also, it focused on the different effects of these TV shows to children and how they perceive these shows and adults regarding the effects of their childhood towards their general disposition at present.

1.             One depth in cartoon TV shows is its Psychological interpretation and content. That some cartoon TV shows portray a certain legitimate psychology in which people are not aware of.

2.             Violence is also present in the content of these cartoon TV shows that are evident mostly in some shows.
3.             Gender Stereotyping and Racism are sometimes depicted within certain TV shows and it has various psychological effects to its audiences.

4.             Also, Sexism is present in many cartoon TV shows that often brings different interpretations to people.


CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions were drawn:

1.             There are greater depths within cartoon TV shows that we often don’t see as a normal viewer. Almost all of these TV shows contain things that are not so obvious. When people don’t pay attention to detail, and they are rather enjoying the humour and external parts of the show, these details can’t be observed. But when people are keen enough, these portrayals can actually be interpreted in various manners.

2.             There are a lot of cartoon shows that represent and portray psychological matters. Depression, Sexism, Racism, Defense and Coping Mechanisms, all of these are present in some TV shows. They are the depths in these shows that make it more heavier in meaning and can lead into bad effects to other audiences, especially immature ones such as children of young age.

3.             TV Violence affect children in many ways. This detail harms the children’s physical and mental stability, that sometimes cause disturbances and depression to the young and innocent minds of children.


RECOMMENDATION

After drawing the conclusions of this study, these are the suggestions that can help others in the future:

1.             Audiences should always aware of the content of these cartoon TV shows, as they may portray a deeper sense. Proper observation and common sense will be a great tool for a better understanding of these cartoon TV shows.

2.             Parents should guide and limit their children in watching heavy-detailed cartoons, especially when they contain violence. Because there are a lot of psychological effects these kinds of shows bring to children.

3.             Cartoon show writers and animators should minimize the heavy content and violence of cartoon TV shows because of it has a wide range of audience- from children to adults. They should not emphasize violent scenes and don’t exaggerate the details of the scenes.


REFERENCE: Electronic Media/Internet


ERIC KOHN, ‘‘Why 'Adventure Time,' Now In Its Fifth Season, Is More Groundbreaking Than You May Realize’’, INDIEWIRE, NOVEMBER 13, 2012, <http://www.indiewire.com/article/why-adventure-time-now-in-its-fifth-season-is-more-groundbreaking-than-you-may-realize>

Ashley Lutz, ‘‘These Sinister Theories Will Change How You Feel About Your Favorite Childhood Characters’’, BusinessInsider, MAY 31, 2012, <http://www.businessinsider.com/these-sinister-theories-will-change-how-you-feel-about-childhood-cartoons-2012-5?op=1#ixzz2nfSwSn11>

Curtis Silver, ‘‘Psychology of Cartoons’’, Wired, February 14, 2011, <http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/02/psychology-of-cartoons-part-1-scooby-doo>



The Stickman, ‘‘Top 10 Sad Truths About The Simpsons’’, ScrewAttack, August 16, 2012, <http://www.screwattack.com/news/top-10-sad-truths-behind-simpsons-0>

Deborah Orr ‘‘Gender stereotyping is unhelpful and counter-productive – whoever's doing it’’, The Guardian, August 23, 2013, <http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/23/gender-stereotyping-unhelpful-counter-productive>




Thursday, November 28, 2013

Blogpost 9: Kim Possible: Sexism




Action roles are usually portrayed for men. It is rare for women to get the roles reversed, and in all action flicks that made history or was ever remembered, the men has it in their plate. As a guy, who likes superhero movies and action films having encountered, Kim Possible astonished me.

The show was run of the mill where the girl beats the guy and saves the world from threats only she can stop but as the show progressed, it revealed undersides which shows that the story always favored Kim. Being a children’s show, there is the point that of course, the good guy or in this case, the good girl should always win. But in this context no one else seems to be in the know but Kim. It is bias that even though Kim always had her best friend Ron with her on her mission; Kim was and is always the hero. There was never a circumstance where Ron would swoop in and save her instead, the characters’ roles are upturned.

It didn't affect me in the way that it’s about a high school girl who was a cheerleader and student by day and an agent by night, it came as a shock that instead of having a guy sweeping in and saving the day, they gave a heroine in place didn’t affect me in the way that it’s about a high school girl who was a cheerleader and student by day and an agent by night, it came as a shock that instead of having a guy sweeping in and saving the day, they gave a heroine in place. 



Though ideal, Kim Possible is quite impossible. It gives of idea of sexism. It was not a matter of the roles reversed but how the roles were portrayed, it gives off this inkling that men in the series were weak and can always be beaten and helped by Kim. I find it uncanny that a 16 year old girl agent would be any good to have a role of that of a man and would be someone who can save the world in a minute by herself which puts the image of men through a prejudice that in this particular show, women are better.


According to the article What is Sexism? by Lea Verou, sexism is not just a female issue. Prescriptive gender stereotypes are even more oppressive for men. Kim Possible degrades the male by making their image oppressed, in which case the article explains that women who act masculine would seem superior and expandable. She also explained that by way of nature girls are told they are to act pretty and boys to be smart and brave which the show disregards as all male characters are inferior to the heroine.

Noah Berlatsky also explains in his piece When Men Experience Sexism, when men suffer from sexism, they do so in much the same way women do, rather men suffer because of the same gender role stereotypes that hurt and restrict women. In the series, Kim was always insulted by the villain in which sense; she always wins which emasculates the image of the men. Also in the story, Ron, her best friend, who’s portrayed as clumsy and a weakling always gets to be the let-down of the story line where Kim always has to be there to save him, the lord in distress. 

That being said, the representation of Kim Possible in the TV show, when view in a deeper sense, is actually degrading for men. Not only does it exudes feminist ideologies, but it portrays and conducts particular points in it's show that makes Sexism obvious. Issues of where sexism is present is a serious matter where by history has been taught as a way of life, the ladies have to feed the children and the men have to earn the money but prejudice can be avoided through equality of roles.

Blogpost 8: The Powerpuff Girls: Patriarchal Contradiction

When I was a kid, I stumbled across this unfamiliar TV show called "The Powerpuff Girls". Out of innocence and led by my curiosity, I started watching this show, and even to an extent of making it as my after-school habit on a precise daily basis. Later on, I find it weird since I was a boy and I was watching a supposedly "girly" cartoon show. Compared to my old time favorites, this show gave me a lot of apprehension towards the vague, yet distinct way of portraying a unfamiliar scenario, wherein Prof. Utonium's attempt to create perfect little girls accidentally includes "Chemical X", resulting in take-charge red-head Blossom, blonde sweety-pie Bubbles and ready-to-fight brunette Buttercup. Three flying, super-strong, karate-chopping girls with the occasional heat vision race into action to save the city of Townsville from all sorts of crimes and creatures. What can be weird or special about this TV show? If you look closer, you'll find out what it's all about and to other people's comprehension about this show, it expresses a certain idea underneath it's girl portrayals.

As I've closely contemplate upon the show, I noticed that it manifests a certain gender message- that women are better than men. The fact that a bunch of little girls possessing great amount of superpowers is uncommon. Usually, it's men who take up this kind of role, being a superhero and saving the day. But in this particular TV show, it pushes the idea of "girl power" and goes beyond rational expectations. The fact that they are just young (not even adolescent) girls already possessing that much power, being able to take over a bunch of crazy dudes and mad villains and giant creatures, is already exaggerating. It is as if the show puts so much stress on this "girl power".

Women are better than men. At least, that's what I've observed in the whole entire show. All of the other male characters, like Townsville's mayor who is a man, presented short in stature and totally inept, almost as tall as the three Powerpuff girls. This representation is totally sexist and feminist by nature. I mean, the creator can just present a mayor as a normal looking guy, but instead, the creator presented it as if they're just equal, or even inferior among the Powerpuff girls. 

Not to mention the mayor presented as somehow stubborn in handling Townsville as if he can't handle his own shit. Whenever a villain or a giant creature attacks townsville, there is no police action whatsoever presented in the show, which clearly represents that the mayor is weak with his authority, that he has to always call out the Powerpuff girls to do the necessary actions for him and for Townsville- Propagating that these girls are better than the mayor, thus, women being better than men Politically.

Every villain in Townsville is a variety of male cast that are somewhat deranged by nature. The only relevant yet contradicting nature in the show, that also depicts so much feminism, is the supposedly "biological" brother of the Powerpuff girls, created also by Prof. Utonium, who is Mojo-Jojo- an ape with a big head of brain. By his big brain, Mojo-Jojo is a manifestation of a successful man. Yet somehow, the girls always defeat him in so many levels and him always taking the beating. A common conceived idea of Feminism.

An article about Feminism entitled How Feminism Hurt Men, by Micah Murray, states that feminism elevates women at the expense of men, that its agenda to validate women emasculates us guys. For men, the rise of feminism has relegated us to second-class status. Inequality and discrimination have become part of our everyday lives. That being said, it's true how Feminism directly attacks the Patriarchal stands of men in general.

Patriarchy. A form of social organization in which the father is the supreme authority in the family, clan, or tribe and descent is reckoned in the male line, with the children belonging to the father's clan. It seems that this show does so much to prove that woman are indeed better than men.This social organization is present, as is observed. The retaliation of women, or at least the TV show's creator has been out of hand

and is way too out of context to actually present it to younger audiences. As they gain the notion of women being better than men. Presented by the existing physical combats between the Powerpuff girls against an all male set of villains, eventually these girls becoming the victors, is highly manipulative in the young minds of the children, and degrading in young male children's gender perspectives as well.


Men and Women are equal. Created equally, as the bible suggests. But there are just certain points in life wherein male are considered better, particular fields in this world where men can do better than most female. Of course, women can also outshine men over several fields in life. But in reality, men are biologically programmed to be stronger than female. That's is why the essence of Patriarchy is present. But by giving so much stress to the issue of women out-competing men, presenting it in blunt details are just rude and degrading. The Powerpuff Girls will always be for entertaining purposes, whatever it's audience may be. But in a deeper comprehension, it's viewed as unethically improper as it expressing so much post-modern paradox, that women are becoming more powerful than men, which is just totally argumentative.