EFFECTS OF CARTOONS ON GENDER ROLE PERCEPTION DURING CHILDHOOD OF 7TH AND 8TH GRADE STUDENTS OF GENERAL DE JESUS COLLEGE A DESCRIPTIVE-PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Cartoons have long been a popular and widely accessible form of animated entertainment for children, capturing their interest and imagination (Elsevier, 2020). However, their influence extends beyond entertainment, as they often convey representations of gender roles. These portrayals may be internalized by young viewers and shape their understanding of gender expectations. This study examined how cartoons influenced the perception of gender roles during the childhood of selected Grade 7 and Grade 8 students at General De Jesus College. This study employed a descriptive-phenomenological research design to explore the impact of cartoons on Grade 7 and Grade 8 students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews supported by audio recordings. Thematic analysis was used to systematically identify, organize, and interpret recurring patterns, themes, and categories from the participants’ responses. The findings revealed that participants’ exposure to cartoons was largely influenced by family members, friends, peers, and television. Within these cartoons, female characters were commonly perceived as displaying traits such as strength, independence, weakness, and a strong emphasis on physical appearance. In contrast, male characters were often portrayed as strong, brave, dominant, and aggressive. The results also showed that cartoons had positive effects on students, including supporting language development and speech patterns, enhancing sociability, imparting life lessons, and fostering interest in the arts. However, negative effects were also identified, such as the reinforcement of gender stereotypes, promotion of unrealistic expectations, depiction of violence, and reduced social interaction. Overall, cartoons were found to influence students’ perceptions of gender roles by reinforcing traditional stereotypes and shaping their attitudes and behaviors toward individuals of the same or opposite gender. The findings demonstrated that cartoons significantly influence students’ development and their perceptions of gender roles. These results highlight the importance of fostering awareness among students regarding the potential impact of cartoons on their beliefs, behaviors, and social interactions as they grow and transition into adulthood.