This document analyzes common stereotypical representations of social groups in teen musicals. It finds that teenage characters are typically ages 16-19, with parents and teachers portrayed as clueless and boring. Females are shown as promiscuous and unintelligent, falling in love easily, while males are immature but admired. Ethnic minority characters usually play supporting roles and are stereotyped, such as a shy Chinese character in Pitch Perfect. Wealthy characters are portrayed as rude bullies but get their comeuppance, while middle/lower class characters are relatable underdogs. Gay characters often have stereotypical traits, and disabled characters are sometimes shown as equals to challenge discrimination.

1. Stereotypical Representations
of Social Groups in Teen
Musicals

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.