The World Belongs to the Young: Representation of Socialization Agents in Early Childhood Television Content

Abstract

Based on cultivation theory, this study addresses television content as a core contributor to socialization processes in early childhood. The study involved an in-depth thematic analysis of early childhood socialization agents on television channels targeting young children. The analysis revealed young viewers are presented with a world saturated by supportive friendships but few and weak representations of adults. Friends dominate the boundary-free imaginary world at the center of televised narratives. Adults are often delegated to the plots’ margins and are rarely presented as authority figures. Implications are discussed in light of the child viewers’ developmental characteristics.

Keywords:

• Cultivation Theory
• Socialization
• Television
• Thematic Analysis

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant to the first two authors from the Israeli parliament (the Knesset).