Bring Out the Girls

     Has anyone noticed that only 29% of family films contain female speaking characters? Has anyone noticed that 24% of these female characters are sexualized through their attire? These statistics, according to an article in the Chicago Tribune, could be influencing young girls' self-esteem as they grow up. Why, when creators of movies and heads of studios meet about the main characters of a family film, don't they ask, "Could this role be female?" rather than just "Could this role be African American, Asian, etc.?" Of course varying races is a great way to teach kids about the many ethnicities that make up our world, but why not also teach them that females and males are equal? Or are they?
     Our nation prides itself on how far we've come in bringing about equality for all races, genders, and sexualities in comparison to the past. But how far have we really come if the only non-sexualized, female lead in a family film that comes to mind is Jessie the Cowgirl from Toy Story?