• Find People
  • Campus Map
  • PiratePort
  • A-Z
    • About
    • Submit
    • Browse
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   ScholarShip Home
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Master's Theses
    • View Item
    •   ScholarShip Home
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Master's Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

    All of The ScholarShipCommunities & CollectionsDateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsTypeDate SubmittedThis CollectionDateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsTypeDate Submitted

    My Account

    Login

    Statistics

    View Google Analytics Statistics

    THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD IN AMERICAN FILMS (1927-2018)

    Thumbnail
    View/ Open
    LUCAS-MASTERSTHESIS-2019.pdf (1.129Mb)

    Show full item record
    Author
    Lucas, Sherrie
    Abstract
    This study explored the social construction of childhood in American films from 1927-2018. A content analysis of 30 films was conducted. The sample consisted of films that were near the top of the list of the highest grossing films of the year and that featured a child in a lead or supporting role. Data were obtained to examine children's character and role types; children's activities, locations, coactors, behaviors, and characteristics; and the attitudes and behaviors of adults towards children. Children were overwhelmingly portrayed negatively, stereotypically, and in need of socialization to become fully evolved adults. In relation to adults, children were oppressed and controlled while being socialized, enculturated, and used in adult plans to achieve selfish ends. However, positive portrayals included children being helpful and caring, intelligent, deserving of empathy and protection, and competent in interpreting and acting on their social world. These themes were explained within the context of significant sociohistorical factors occurring between 1927 and 2018. Finally, childhood as a social construct was positioned and explained within a larger system of hegemonic power.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10342/7644
    Subject
     childism; childhood 
    Date
    2019-12-10
    Citation:
    APA:
    Lucas, Sherrie. (December 2019). THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD IN AMERICAN FILMS (1927-2018) (Master's Thesis, East Carolina University). Retrieved from the Scholarship. (http://hdl.handle.net/10342/7644.)

    Display/Hide MLA, Chicago and APA citation formats.

    MLA:
    Lucas, Sherrie. THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD IN AMERICAN FILMS (1927-2018). Master's Thesis. East Carolina University, December 2019. The Scholarship. http://hdl.handle.net/10342/7644. August 09, 2022.
    Chicago:
    Lucas, Sherrie, “THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD IN AMERICAN FILMS (1927-2018)” (Master's Thesis., East Carolina University, December 2019).
    AMA:
    Lucas, Sherrie. THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD IN AMERICAN FILMS (1927-2018) [Master's Thesis]. Greenville, NC: East Carolina University; December 2019.
    Collections
    • Master's Theses
    • Sociology
    Publisher
    East Carolina University

    xmlui.ArtifactBrowser.ItemViewer.elsevier_entitlement

    East Carolina University has created ScholarShip, a digital archive for the scholarly output of the ECU community.

    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Send Feedback