El perfil de consumo televisivo en adolescentesdiferencias en función del sexo y estereotipos sociales

Abstract

This study analyses gender differences in television viewing habits in a sample of 577 adolescents (307 girls and 270 boys) from the Basque Autonomous Region (Spain). Our overall aim was to analyse whether adolescents' television viewing habits themselves contribute to defining the significance of gender. In order to establish participants' viewing habits, their responses to the Television Viewing Habits Questionnaire (CH-TV.01) were grouped into eight indicators: permanence, alternatives, appliances and physical availability, co-viewing, conversation, viewing style, television preferences and specific permanence. The results allow us to conclude that in general no gender differences exist. Nevertheless, significant differences in the responses given to co-viewing, preferences and specific permanence indicate that girls are forbidden to watch more TV programmes than boys, and that girls show a clear preference for talk shows, reality shows, and celebrity gossip shows. Furthermore, girls spend more time watching these TV programmes and series than boys. The results indicate that overall we cannot talk in terms of reproducing social stereotypes.