Gender Expression in Cartoons
In a study done by the University of California, Candace West and Don Zimmerman published an article called “Doing Gender” where the point of the article was to advance a new understanding of gender and how these gender concepts are embedded in everyday interactions. The article discusses current assessments of existing perspectives on sex and gender, from the beginning of the formation of gender roles, to how we categorize sex.
It all traces back to the ideas of femininity and masculinity where these words alone flood our brain with preconditioned thoughts about each of them. These characteristics are something that can be conveyed to others in any social situation, these acts of expression indicate our alignment whether we are predominantly masculine of feminine, limiting characteristics to a specific gender archetype.
As a collective society, there has been lots of growth in the aspect of what can be expressed through various forms of media. There are plenty of examples of same-sex couples on TV and day by day it gets more normalized in the public eye. However, there are still hang-ups on one aspect and that’s gender expression.
People struggle with breaking past these set expectations and norms of gender expression, but in 2015 a show premiered on Cartoon Network, a channel aimed towards children mind you, called Steven Universe.
Steven Universe is a show about a boy named Steven, who isn’t quite like everyone else. Steven is special, he’s human but also what’s known as a gem, the first ever hybrid between human kind and gems. Along with Steven are the Crystal Gems, the guardians of the Earth. Gems in short are polymorphic, sentient rocks who use light to project their bodies into a physical form (don’t ask me how it’s a cartoon).
However, almost every gem seen throughout the series is depicted as female with human characteristics. In reality the gems aren’t gender specific, while most gems are depicted as female this varies from gem to gem. There are some who are more in the middle, neither quite feminine nor masculine.
Gems have the ability to fuse with each other as their bodies are made of light, coming together to create a new being all together. Fusion isn’t permanent, in fact requires being in sync emotionally and intimately with the partner. Through the course of the series it’s discovered that Garnet has been a fusion of two gems the entire time. The other gems knew, but not Steven. Other members of the Crystal Gems fuse throughout the story for one reason or another. In a kids show it’s played off as a synchronized dance, but anyone who takes a closer look can see how intimate fusion is between gems.
The Fact that gems are depicted as female naturally and effectively shows the relationship between those of a similar sex and how that relationship isn’t any different from the traditional nuclear relationship. Fusion is the ultimate connection between gems, but at the same time, most traditional gems see fusion has an inappropriate gimmick. Steven Universe battles many themes at the same time, even addressing the negative connotations some have on same-sex couples and gender fluid concepts. Yet through the narrative Steven Universe is constantly pushing boundaries.
Throughout the show, it has demonstrated countless examples of normalizing the concept of gender fluidity. Coming back to Garnet being the fusion that they are, the two gems that make up Garnet both have dynamic and different characteristics. One is more hot headed and is a bit tomboyish, where the other is collected and feminine. When they fuse into Garnet, they push aside any gender expectations and exist simply as they are. Garnet is neither masculine or feminine, demonstrating personality characteristics from both aspects. This literal fusion of these characteristics isn’t something that should be feared, and the show presents this through Garnet where something really great and unique can emerge when people are allowed to be happy with themselves.
There are people out there who identify in a similar context to Garnet, being a bit of both than just one assigned gender. In this show produced for a younger audience, it does a fantastic job of incorporating these themes of gender neutrality and exploring the amount of different ways people can differ. Those in this minority find great solace in this show as it depicts and presents these themes in a mainstream way, reaching a large audience and simultaneously educating on what is normally expected of genders and normalizing behaviors.
Sorry for low-key spoiling season one, but the show is five years old at this point.
References: West & Zimmerman, (1987). Doing Gender
Rebecca Sugar, (2015). Steven Universe
Multiculturalism and the Media 