28th Annual Student Research Conference
Chicks and Flicks: A Content Analysis of the Portrayal of Women in Romantic Genre Films
Shelby E. Kovack
Dr. Anton Daughters, Faculty Mentor
This study provides a content analysis of nine chick flick films and their portrayals of the main female characters. Past research has shown that movie characters, though fictional, can impact people's perceptions of the world and their behaviors. Chick flicks allow girls to step inside a fantasy world of romance, but the question is, do they set up viewers for a disappointment in real life? Overall trends of white, blonde, hazel eyed, thin women as the main character were observed. The lack of diversity in physical appearances fails to address the varying types of women in the world. The films also enforced gender roles with the women having lower income jobs, while their male partners were more financially stable and holding jobs of higher status.
Keywords: Film, Women
Topic(s):Sociology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 11-1
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30