Presentation of social gender roles and body image to children through media: Netflix example

In the current study, the presentation of gender roles and body image in cartoons broadcast on Netflix and its reflection on preschool children's perceptions of gender roles and body image were examined. The research was carried out as a case study, which is one of the qualitative research designs. The study group of the research consisted of 30 children between the ages of 4-5, registered in private or public pre-school education institutions in Adana province Çukurova and Seyhan districts in the 2020-2021 academic year, and 10 cartoons broadcast on the Netflix digital platform. In the research, the cartoons determination form and cartoon analysis form prepared by the researchers for cartoons were used in the collection of data. Gender roles and body image interviews presented in cartoons were conducted with the participating children. According to the results of the research, it has been seen that there are messages about body image and gender roles in cartoon content. With these messages, it has been seen that the patriarchal ideology is maintained by building hegemonic masculinity through the characters. Although it is seen that androgynous characters are represented in cartoons, it has awakened the idea that a gender-free language is possible. It has been observed that messages such as ideal body image and ideal beauty conveyed in cartoons cause children to experience dissatisfaction with their body images. It has been seen that the reason for ideal beauty is based on surgical aesthetics and cosmetic products. The research has highlighted the necessity of digital-media literacy from an early age.