Poster #78 - La Familia Madrigal! Gender Roles in Disney's Encanto

• In Event: Poster Session 11

Abstract

Research in the psychological literature has demonstrated the impact of children’s media on the gender development of children and adults (Parsons & Penderson, 2017). Some researchers have specifically investigated the impact of Disney Princesses on children’s development (Coyne et al., 2016; Dinella et al., 2017). An analysis of 26 Disney films showed that the main characters displayed different characteristics based on their gender. Male characters were aggressive, heroic, and lacking emotion, whereas the female characters performed domestic behaviors, were unrealistically pretty, and mostly relied on the male characters for protection or rescues (Towbin et al., 2004). Research by England et al. (2011) which coded gender roles in Disney princess movies also found the characters to display high levels of gender stereotyped characteristics.

The present study examines gender roles in the recently released Disney film, Encanto. Using methodology developed by England et al. (2011), we performed a coded content analysis on each of the 12 characters in the family depicted in Disney's Encanto. We coded 13 masculine characteristics: curious about another character, wants to explore, physically strong, assertive, unemotional, independent, athletic, engaged in intellectual activity, inspires fear, brave, described as physically attractive (i.e., handsome), gives advice, leader. We also coded 16 feminine characteristics: tends to physical appearance, physically weak, submissive, shows emotion, affectionate, nurturing, sensitive, tentative, helpful, troublesome, fearful, ashamed, collapses crying, described as physically attractive (i.e., pretty), asks for advice or help, and is a victim. Definitions for each trait were taken from England et al.’s (2011) study and discussed among the coders.

The film Encanto was viewed multiple times by each coder. Three researchers coded masculine and feminine characteristics for the characters in the Madrigal Family with at least two coders for each trait. Codes were averaged between the three researchers prior to analysis. Reliability was moderate or high for each trait.
We found that, overall, both male and female characters displayed significantly more feminine characteristics than masculine characteristics, ꭕ2 (1) = 14.81, p < .05 for female characters, and ꭕ2 (1) = 21.29, p < .05 for male characters. Data for individual family members can be found in Table 1. Unlike previous research that demonstrated that female characters are taking on more masculine/androgynous roles (Hine et al., 2018), Encanto demonstrates the value of feminine and nurturing roles for both male and female characters. The potential impact on children of all genders will be discussed.

Authors

• Erica Weisgram, University of Wisconsin -Stevens Point
  Presenting Author

• Margaret Broeren, The Ohio State University

• Allison Piette, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

• Cole Thorne, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point