GENDER role & psychology, IDENTITY (Psychology), MUSIC, QUESTIONNAIRES, STATISTICAL sampling, SCALE analysis (Psychology), STEREOTYPES, STUDENT attitudes, VIDEO recording, PRE-tests & post-tests, DATA analysis software, DESCRIPTIVE statistics
Abstract
There are currently widespread concerns around the impact of media on children's healthy development. This study investigated whether music media influences young children's gender role and self-identity. Thirty-four Grade 1 children and 38 Grade 4 children participated in an experimental study to explore their attitudes towards their own and the opposite gender, their perspectives about gender- and self-presentation, and whether a one-off exposure to music videos influenced their views. Results showed that children demonstrated attitudes consistent with gender stereotypes seen in contemporary music media. The findings indicate a need for early intervention to help children develop healthy attitudes around gender role and self-identity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]