Stereotypical Representations of

Social Groups in Teen Musicals

Typical Representation of Age• In teen musicals, the ages of the teenage characters range

from 16-19; never really any younger than that. • The older characters, typically being parents and

teachers, are stereotypical middle-aged people who are clueless about what goes on in the teenagers’ lives. They are also people who are thought of to be very boring and alien by the teenagers.

Typical Representation of Gender

• The teenage females are represented as being quite promiscuous. Also, the teenage females are not very bright. The females fall in love easily and stupidly.

• The teenage male characters are represented as being fairly immature. The male lead is often admired greatly by all of the female characters. This character is objectified.

• In High School Musical, Troy is afraid to tell his friends about his talent and passion for singing and he pretends to be solely focussed on basketball, to impress his friends. This represents singing as a female orientated activity.

Typical Representations of Ethnicity

• There is never a female or male lead of ethnic minority in teen musicals, they play the supporting roles.

• For example, in High School Musical 2, Taylor, Chad and Zeke (a black female and two black males), are good friends of the two protagonists. Also, in Pitch Perfect (1&2), a Chinese female, a black female and an Australian female are good friends of the protagonist. The Chinese female is represented as being very shy, quiet and very odd. The black female is a lesbian and the Australian is represented to be very funny, loud and large.

• Hairspray is set in the 60’s, which was the time of black segregation in America. In Hairspray, black people (in the 60’s) are represented as being lesser people. They have a day especially for black people on the Corny Collins show called Negro Day, which is a day once a month when they are allowed to dance on television. The fact that the word ‘Negro’ is used, represents white Americans in the 60’s as racists.

Typical Representations of Class• In most teen musicals, the rich, high class characters, are

stereotypically portrayed as being rude, bitchy, spoilt and they tend to be bullies. Also, they are usually fairly good looking people, which represents people of a higher class to have healthy and stylish life-styles, making their appearance better. This represents people with money as evil. However, in the end of these films, this character gets what they deserve.

• The middle/lower class characters are just ordinary individuals with dreams of success. They are genuine, down to earth characters who are relatable to an audience, unlike the wealthy, spoilt characters.

Typical Representations of Sexuality

• Usually includes a camp character who we assume is homosexual. Often male. • Male characters that play jocks, basketball or some kind of tough sport, are

typically represented straight.• Female characters that play drama students for example, are typically

straight as well. • If a character in a teen film/teen musical is gay/lesbian, the fact is evident as

they possess typical gay/lesbian characteristics.

Typical Representations of Disability

• Disabled characters in teen musical films and series’ are often countertypes. For example, Artie from Glee is not treated differently or discriminated against by the other characters.

• This represents all individuals with a disability as equal to individuals who do not possess a disability; it projects unity and strength within groups of people.

Character Profile 1: Elizabeth Waddington

• Elizabeth Waddington is an incredibly wealthy, intelligent, beautiful, and slightly spoilt girl who does whatever it takes to possess the love of a boy named Hugo. Elizabeth is sixteen, and attends a private school in Berkshire. She is our female protagonist.

• She wears the most expensive clothing, footwear and make-up, and carries the most expensive, designer bags. Her hair and make-up are always perfect.

• She has a friend that walks around with her. In fact, a more fitting word for her would be slave. She does everything for Elizabeth; Elizabeth’s wishes are Katherine’s commands.

• All of the other girls are jealous of Elizabeth; she leads the perfect life.• However, the one thing she wants is ever so slightly out of reach;

Hugo.

Character Profile 2: Hugo• Hugo is our male protagonist. He is the character that the lead

female, Elizabeth Waddington, falls for. The character is not required to do an awful lot, he will just be required to sit and look good, in order for the audience to see the attraction.

• He is popular with girls, intelligent, sporty and gorgeous. Due to these facts, our female lead, Elizabeth Waddington, is completely infatuated by him.

• Hugo is extremely wealthy.• He wears a suit, he has thick, luscious hair and deep brown eyes.

He is also tall and possesses a natural tan.• Hugo is sixteen and attends a private school in Berkshire. The

same as Elizabeth, obviously.