Heteronormativity on Klokhuis: The representation of gender and sexuality on Dutch children's television

Abstract

This research studies the representation of gender and sexuality on Dutch children’s television by examining 262 episodes of Klokhuis. Previous research has shown that children’s television often reflects the normative associations with gender and sexuality in society. However, no existing research has explored this topic related to children’s television in the Netherlands. The examination is done through an analysis of three dimensions reflecting heteronormativity: gender performances; family constructions; and implicit and explicit sexuality. The findings show that the representation of gender and sexuality on Klokhuis remains predominantly heteronormative, indicating the dominance of male characters, the gendered representation of occupational careers, stereotypical characteristics for both male and female characters and a complete absence of gender non-conforming characters. The normative notion of the family is reinforced as most families depart from the standard of the nuclear family. In general, queer representation is kept to a minimum with no depiction of queer physical affection and/or intimacy. However, the findings also suggest that Klokhuis shows counter-stereotypical male characters that challenge hegemonic masculinity. These non-heteronormative representations produce insights into how constructive and positive gender representations can be portrayed within the realms of children’s television.This research studies the representation of gender and sexuality on Dutch children’s television by examining 262 episodes of Klokhuis. Previous research has shown that children’s television often reflects the normative associations with gender and sexuality in society. However, no existing research has explored this topic related to children’s television in the Netherlands. The examination is done through an analysis of three dimensions reflecting heteronormativity: gender performances; family constructions; and implicit and explicit sexuality. The findings show that the representation of gender and sexuality on Klokhuis remains predominantly heteronormative, indicating the dominance of male characters, the gendered representation of occupational careers, stereotypical characteristics for both male and female characters and a complete absence of gender non-conforming characters. The normative notion of the family is reinforced as most families depart from the standard of the nuclear family. In general, queer representation is kept to a minimum with no depiction of queer physical affection and/or intimacy. However, the findings also suggest that Klokhuis shows counter-stereotypical male characters that challenge hegemonic masculinity. These non-heteronormative representations produce insights into how constructive and positive gender representations can be portrayed within the realms of children’s television.