Movies That Defy Gender Stereotypes
Princesses and superheroes are great, and kids -- both boys and girls! -- love them. But child development experts agree that kids need to see a wide range of male and female characters, displaying a range of traits, behaviors, and beliefs, in the media they consume. Why? When kids see stereotyped gender roles portrayed over and over in movies and on television, it can affect the way they think about themselves and what they can grow up to be. Our own research review shows that these messages are aligned to periods in kids' development when kids are most receptive to their influence -- which makes it even clearer that it's important to look for positive gender portrayals in our kids' media.
These are some of our favorite movies that do just that. For even more great ideas, check out these lists: TV Shows That Defy Gender Stereotypes, Best Smart Movie Girls, and Movies with Incredible Role Models for Boys.
