Child Rearing and Gender Socialisation: A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis of Kids' Popular Fictional Movies

Abstract

For the last two decades, a considerable effort has been made to understand the process and sources of gender socialisation in society. It is critical to know where this socialisation starts and why it is encouraged, supported, and consolidated. The current research aims to examine the role played by children's fictional films in socialising gender. Children's fictional films, among other sources, are potential sources for building cultural-based and modelling gender structures for children. The study highlights the vital role of such films in creating gender ideologies concerning men and women. The two most famous films, Tarzan and Cinderella, are selected: the first is popular among children and the second is one of the girls' favourite films. The Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis model from Lazar (2007) has analysed the language used in both films. The findings show that language plays a significant role in building and socialising gender roles in society. How men and women are characterised, and the stereotypical roles in such fictional films socialise children. Whether men or women, children instil such a powerful gender ideology that they are constantly striving to meet the standards and standards that society has set for them.