Abstract
This paper is a content analysis about social stratification principles in popular culture fairytale characters Santa Claus, Tooth fairy and Easter bunny. Specifically, this paper explores how these fairytale characters may contribute to an entitlement identification construct of the African American child. The researcher argues that there are three major components of social stratification portrayed by the fairytale characters (1) ideas about money/wealth, (2) success and (3) the processes to obtain money/wealth and success. Utilizing content analysis, three of most popular portrayed narratives (short stories and songs) Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny were analyzed. Findings indicate that each fairytale contains inferred meanings about money/wealth, success and process to obtain them.
Highlights
Many parents and children like the fairytale characters Santa Claus, Tooth fairy and Easter Bunny
Constructs, messages and meanings about money/wealth, success and process do Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny contain? And what does it mean for the African American child’s identification/orientation of wealth and success? Compounded with the fragile financial state of many African Americans is the fact that Nielsen forecast yearly how African Americans have the highest holiday spending of all ethnic groups in the U.S (Nielsen Company, 2018)
Who's naughty and nice Santa Claus is coming to town He sees you when you're sleeping He knows when you're awake He knows if you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake!
Summary
Many parents and children like the fairytale characters Santa Claus, Tooth fairy and Easter Bunny. Many fairytales are associated with holidays that originate from European identification/orientation (culture) This European culture according to the critical race theory is rooted in the promotion of success as outgrowths of superiority through race, sex, and class position. According to critical race theory, African American identification/orientation must not ignore these factors as they may foster pseudo-permanent sociological/pyschological characteristics (Vinney, 2018; Ambert, 1997). It argues that “while race as a notion is a social construction and not rooted in biology, it has had real, tangible effects on African Americans and other people of color. This is noted in terms of economic assets, education, and professional opportunities, as well as encounters with the legal system” (Bodenheimer, 2019)
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