[Script Info] Title: [Events] Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[music] Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: This video essay will examine the\Neffects of television toy commercials on Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our society's perception of gender \Nappropriate toys. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At a young age, society tells us that we fit\Nin to one of two categories: boy or girl. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Playing with children's toys is one of the\Nways in which we learn our gender roles. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Media, specifically toy television\Ncommercials, help relay the message Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to society that there are specific toys\Nfor each gender. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Before we begin, let's take a look at \Nhow and why gender is constructed. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By the age of 10, children have formed an\Nunderstanding of the personality traits Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that belong to each gender. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many people believe that gender \Nconstruction is a blend of nature Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and nurture. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It takes effort to process a lot of\Ninformation. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To reduce this effort, our minds \Nstereotype and categorize information Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into smaller units. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Therefore, categorizing things as being\Nmale or female makes it easier for Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,us to process information. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Once they understand the basic concepts\Nof gender, children remain very rigid Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in their ideas of gendered behaviors,\Noccupations, and toys. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Studies have found that male characters\Ntend to dominate children's commercials. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: Thunderbirds are go! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've located the distress call. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We must get there fast! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Many of them have also found that\Ngender portrayals in advertising are often Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,negatively stereotyped in ways that are\Nrestrictive and demeaning. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: Baby Alive! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My baby's first cold! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's use the bear thermometer. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Good girl! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can give you medicine, and change\Nyour wet diaper. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're better now, baby! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Segregating toys in this way can \Nbe detrimental to children who are Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still forming their identities. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Other studies have found that female\Ntoys often encourage girls to focus Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on their looks, whereas male toys \Nencourage power and strength. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: A glitter blowdrier? Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's so Barbie! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[music] Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: The Transformers war is here! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And both sides can change from vehicle to \Nblaster in an instant. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Finally, commercials featuring\Nfemales are usually for dolls and Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,accessories, whereas commercials featuring\Nmales are often for building toys and Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,action figures. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: It's a great big jet! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[music] Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: Want something your way? Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You build it! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Introducing U-Build Battleship. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Boys are encouraged to play\Nwith cars, trucks, building toys, and Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,science toys. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Generally the toys promote strength\Nand power. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: One system, you can build\Nup and customize your heavy-duty Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,truck with tons of parts and drop the\Nmotor into any mod machine. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Tonka Mod Machines. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each sold separately. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's Tonka tough. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Girls are encouraged to play\Nwith toys such as kitchen sets, and Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dolls that promote domestic and \Nnurturing behavior. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: Only you can help shy \Nlittle Furberries come out and play! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: It's the cake bakery! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The easy way to make designer cakes! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bake your cake in the microwave in\N30 seconds! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Let's take a look at some\Nolder toy commercials to see how Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this all began. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Historically, toy commercials have been\Nmuch more rigid in depicting what type of Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,toys boys and girls should play with. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here are some older commercials for \Nboys toys. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Notice the absence of a female model\Nor voiceover. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The nature of the toys being advertised, \Nand the qualities they are suggesting Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,boys should have. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: This opens up the wild action\Nworld of Port Apache. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With Indians, Cavalrymen, shell shooting\Ncannons. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: The most action you can\Nget, from Matel. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Now let's take a look at some\Ngirl commercials from the past. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Notice how they promote appearance, \Nand domesticity. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: Yes, with Susie Homemaker\Nyou can entertain, wash dishes, clean Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,house, launder, iron, bake all this, and \Nalways look lovely. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: She keeps herself pretty by\Nusing Sugar Plum. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Luckily, there have been many \Npositive changes in toy commercials Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the past 50 years or so. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Recently, there have been more depictions \Nof boys and girls playing with toys that Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are typically more geared toward the \Nother gender. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: So much fun, you'll want to\Nsqueal, Little Live Pets, little mice. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: There are also more depictions \Nof boys and girls playing with toys Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,together to indicate that the toy is\Ngender neutral. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: Expressive, and unexpected. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stewart is up, down, tumbling all\Naround. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Some commercials have even\Nresorted to not using a model at all. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And instead using hands to indicate that\Na toy is gender neutral. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: Build the shuttle. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Place the new satellite. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And prepare for liftoff. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Still not convinced that toy\Ncommercials have an impact on Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,society's perception of gender \Nappropriate toys? Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Studies have indicated that children may\Nview more than 40,000 advertisements Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a year. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That means that they are potentially\Nwatching tens of thousands of Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gendered advertisements. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's research that indicates that\Nadvertisements do indeed affect Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,children's attitudes toward the \Nbrand. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,According to the American Psychological\NAssociation, 50% of children remember Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a toy advertisement a week after seeing\Nit. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Furthermore, it is thought that children\Nmay focus more on the advertisements Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than on the television show itself. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So why should we be concerned? Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Aside from the fact that it is dangerous\Nto restrict children to one rigid Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,identity, research has also speculated \Nthat toy gendering could affect men Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and women's aptitudes and skills for \Ndifferent professions as adults. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The toys that boys play with encourage \Na freedom of imagination, and teach Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,spatial skills that are often necessary\Nfor scientific careers. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On the other hand, girl toys focus more on\Nnurturing skills, domestic skills, Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and appearance. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many theorize that this is one reason why\Nthere are more men in scientific fields Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than women. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While there has been some progress with\Ndegendering television toy commercials, Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we still have a long way to go. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercials continue to be gender\Nrestrictive. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The gendering is simply done in a more\Nmodern way, giving the illusion that Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,things have changed when they really\Nhaven't. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take a look at these two Barbie \Ncommercials, for example. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first is from 1959, and the second\Nis from 2015. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: [music] Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Commercial: It's for you Moschino Barbie! Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Moschino Barbie doll, fabulosity totally \Nincluded. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaker: Some may think that having a boy\Nin a Barbie commercial is progress. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, his mannerisms are still very\Nfeminine by our society's standards, Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,indicating that Barbie's are indeed \Nfeminine toys. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In this way, it's not much better than the\NBarbie commercial from the '50s. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We must keep in mind that the \Nadvertisements are not entirely at Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,fault, because gender is constructed by\Nour society. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Advertisements simply perpetuate gender\Nstereotypes by attempting to appeal to Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,consumers socially influenced desires. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In other words, society creates gender \Nstereotypes and advertisements Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,perpetuate them. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In order to make a change, we must figure\Nout why we haven't made more progress. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it society that is resisting? Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or are the toy companies? Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or is it both? Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whatever the cause, we must not\Nbe discouraged. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Things are improving slowly, but there's\Nstill much work to be done. Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[music]