Sex-Role Stereotyping on Prime-Time Television

Abstract

Abstract Female and male characters who were central to each of 14 prime-time television programs were monitored to determine the frequencies with which they exhibited sex-role stereotypic behaviors. Results indicated few sex differences on most of the behaviors included for study. However, males were portrayed more often than females in occupation-related situations, while females were shown more often than males in the home and were shown exhibiting more emotional distress than males. In addition, males were more often shown at work than other places, whereas females were portrayed with equal frequency in the home, at work, and in other activities. Analysis of problem-solving abilities revealed that males were most likely to solve their own problems on television. Females were more likely to deal with the problems of others or required assistance from others to deal with their own problems. Results are discussed in terms of possible shifts in current television programming and in light of the possible i...