Gender and Emotional Language in Children's TV Series. An Analysis of "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

Seminar Paper , 2013 , 46 Pages , Grade: 2,3

English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics

As TV series can have a big impact on children's development, it is the purpose of this term paper to examine, whether gender-specific stereotypes in regard to emotions can actually be found, or whether the claim that TV series are stereotyped is a prejudice itself. Therefore, the characters' emotional language in "Avatar: The Last Airbender" will be analyzed. It will be closely looked at, whether both genders are associated with differing types and amounts of emotion talk.
Due to the results of several researchers, it was expected that female and male characters display emotions considered appropriate for their sex in order to provide children with idealized gender role models to imitate. As research sees a relationship between showing gender-conform emotions and popularity among peers, it was furthermore anticipated that fans of the series would vote those characters most popular that show emotions considered appropriate for their sex.

Table of Contents

Abstract

1 TV Series and their Impact on Socialization

2 Gender-Specific Emotions
2.1 Stereotypes
2.2 Research Results

3 Method

4 Talking about Emotions
4.1 Fear
4.1.1 Direct Expressions of Fear
4.1.2 Indirect Expressions of Fear
4.1.3 Sensing Fear in Others
4.2 Love
4.2.1 Direct Expressions of Love
4.2.2 Indirect Expressions of Love
4.2.3 Sensing Love in Others
4.2.4 The Boys' Love Stories
4.3 Happiness and Joy
4.3.1 Direct and Indirect Expressions of Happiness and Joy
4.3.3 Expectation of Showing Happiness
4.4 Sadness
4.5 Anger
4.5.1 Direct and Indirect Expressions of Anger
4.5.2 Sensing Anger in Others
4.6 Pride
4.7 Summary: Non-Stereotypic Representation of Emotions

5 Popularity of Characters

6 Conclusion

Bibliography
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources

Table of Figures

Appendices
I Fear
I a) Direct Expressions of Fear
II b) Indirect Expressions of Fear
III c) Sensing Fear in Others
II Love
II a) Direct Expressions of Love
II b) Indirect Expressions of Love
II c) Sensing Love in Others
II d) The Boys' Love Stories
III Happiness and Joy
III a) Direct and Indirect Expressions of Happiness and Joy
III b) Expectation of Showing Happiness
IV Sadness
V Anger
V a) Direct and Indirect Expressions of Anger
V b) Sensing Anger in Others
VI Pride

• College: University of Augsburg
• Grade: 2,3
• Author: Bettina Breitenberger (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 46
• Catalog Number: V283112
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656823896
• ISBN (Book): 9783656823902
• Language: English
• Tags: emotional talk, stereotypes, TV series, Avatar, The Last Airbender, Gender, Emotional Language