Sex‐role stereotyping of children on television: A content analysis of the roles and attributes of child characters

Abstract

A content analysis of child characters on prime‐time television revealed that while boys and girls are significantly different on only four out of 13 character traits (boys are considered more active, aggressive, rational and unhappy than are girls) they do differ significantly in the types of activities in which they participate. Girls talk on the telephone, read and help with housework, and boys play sports, go places and make mischief.