Characterizations Of Disability In Children's Film And Television
Having a disability can be really difficult, especially when many of the struggles and obstacles facing people with disabilities are products of how we are socialized to understand and treat disability. It is important to be attentive and critical of the ways that we are socialized about disability so that we continue to learn about one another's experiences, and make the world a more inclusive and less limiting place. One major component of this socialization process is film and television: young children ages 6-11 are estimated to spend about 28 hours per week in front of the TV. We are introduced to people and ways of life that we otherwise are not so familiar with, and also learn more about how our own cultures and identities are seen (or not) by others. When children see characters that they can relate to, it benefits their development and increases their self-esteem (Miller). This makes diverse representations of people with disability – particularly ones that viewers can relate to – of particular importance in children's television and film.
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