👶Children's Television Unit 6 – Character Growth in Kids' TV Shows

Key Concepts in Character Growth

• Character growth involves the development and transformation of a character's personality, beliefs, and behaviors over the course of a story
• Involves a character overcoming challenges, learning lessons, and evolving as a result of their experiences
• Character growth is often driven by the character's internal struggles, such as facing their fears, confronting their flaws, or questioning their beliefs
• External factors, such as relationships with other characters, societal pressures, and plot events, can also influence a character's growth
• Character growth is essential for creating engaging and relatable characters that audiences can connect with and root for
• A well-developed character arc demonstrates the character's journey from their initial state to their final state, showcasing the changes they undergo
• Character growth can be positive (a character becoming more confident, kind, or brave) or negative (a character becoming more selfish, bitter, or disillusioned)

Historical Context of Character Development

• Character development has been a fundamental aspect of storytelling for centuries, dating back to ancient myths, legends, and folktales
• In the early days of television, character development was often limited due to the episodic nature of programming and the constraints of the medium
• The rise of serialized storytelling in television allowed for more complex and nuanced character development over multiple episodes and seasons
• Influences from literature, theater, and film have shaped the approach to character development in television, bringing techniques such as inner monologues, flashbacks, and symbolism
• Social and cultural shifts have impacted the types of characters and character arcs portrayed in children's television, reflecting changing values and norms
  • For example, the inclusion of more diverse characters and the exploration of topics such as identity, inclusion, and social justice
• Advancements in animation technology have enabled more expressive and detailed character designs, enhancing the ability to convey emotions and growth visually

Psychological Theories Behind Character Growth

• Psychoanalytic theory, developed by Sigmund Freud, suggests that character growth is driven by the resolution of unconscious conflicts and the integration of the id, ego, and superego
  • The id represents instinctual desires, the ego mediates between the id and reality, and the superego represents moral standards and values
• Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development propose that individuals face specific challenges at different stages of life, and character growth can be seen as the successful resolution of these challenges
  • For example, the stage of "identity vs. role confusion" in adolescence can be reflected in a character's journey of self-discovery and establishing their identity
• Albert Bandura's social learning theory emphasizes the importance of observational learning and modeling in shaping behavior and character growth
  • Characters can learn and grow by observing and imitating the actions and behaviors of other characters, both positive and negative
• Cognitive-developmental theories, such as Jean Piaget's stages of cognitive development, suggest that character growth can parallel the development of cognitive abilities and moral reasoning
• Humanistic psychology, championed by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizes the inherent potential for growth and self-actualization within individuals
  • Character growth can be seen as the realization of this potential, as characters strive to fulfill their unique capacities and achieve personal fulfillment
• Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, highlights the importance of early relationships in shaping character development and the ability to form healthy attachments later in life

Types of Character Arcs in Kids' TV

• The Hero's Journey, a common character arc, involves a character leaving their ordinary world, facing challenges and temptations, and ultimately returning home transformed
  • Often seen in adventure and fantasy series, such as "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "The Dragon Prince"
• The Coming-of-Age arc depicts a character's transition from childhood to adulthood, often focusing on the challenges and discoveries associated with growing up
  • Examples include "The Wonder Years" and "Boy Meets World"
• The Redemption arc follows a character who starts off as a villain or antagonist but undergoes a transformation and ultimately redeems themselves
  • This arc can be seen in characters like Zuko from "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and Peridot from "Steven Universe"
• The Tragedy arc portrays a character's downfall or descent into darkness, often as a result of their own flaws or external circumstances
  • While less common in children's television, examples can be found in characters like Anakin Skywalker from "Star Wars: The Clone Wars"
• The Static or Flat character arc involves a character who remains largely unchanged throughout the story, often serving as a catalyst for change in other characters
  • Examples include characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Phineas from "Phineas and Ferb"
• The Transformational arc showcases a character undergoing a significant change in their personality, beliefs, or worldview, often as a result of a profound experience or revelation
  • This arc can be seen in characters like Steven Universe from the eponymous series and Adora from "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power"

Case Studies: Iconic Character Journeys

• Zuko from "Avatar: The Last Airbender" undergoes a powerful redemption arc, starting as the antagonist and gradually learning to let go of his anger and embrace his true identity
  • His journey involves confronting his family's legacy, learning from his uncle Iroh, and ultimately joining the Avatar to restore balance to the world
• Adora from "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power" experiences a transformational arc, starting as a soldier for the evil Horde and discovering her true identity as the legendary warrior She-Ra
  • Her journey involves unlearning the Horde's propaganda, forming new friendships, and learning to embrace her own strength and leadership
• Steven Universe, from the eponymous series, undergoes a coming-of-age arc, learning to navigate his dual identity as a human and a Gem while also dealing with the responsibilities of his mother's legacy
  • His journey involves learning to control his powers, resolving conflicts between Gems and humans, and ultimately bringing peace to the universe
• Ahsoka Tano from "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels" experiences a complex arc that involves leaving the Jedi Order, finding her own path, and ultimately becoming a key figure in the Rebel Alliance
  • Her journey involves questioning the Jedi's role in the war, confronting her own doubts and fears, and learning to trust her instincts and allies
• Dipper Pines from "Gravity Falls" undergoes a hero's journey, leaving his ordinary life to spend the summer in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls and uncovering its secrets
  • His journey involves facing supernatural challenges, learning to trust his own abilities, and ultimately confronting the powerful villain Bill Cipher

Writing Techniques for Evolving Characters

• Establishing a clear starting point for the character, including their personality traits, beliefs, and flaws, allows for a measurable change over the course of the story
• Introducing challenges and obstacles that force the character to confront their weaknesses and grow in order to overcome them
  • These challenges can be external, such as a villain or a physical obstacle, or internal, such as a personal fear or moral dilemma
• Developing meaningful relationships between characters that influence their growth and decision-making
  • Mentors, friends, and even rivals can play a significant role in a character's development by offering guidance, support, or opposition
• Utilizing pivotal moments or turning points in the story that mark significant changes in the character's arc
  • These moments can be dramatic events, such as a battle or a revelation, or quieter scenes that showcase a character's internal shift
• Employing foreshadowing and symbolism to hint at a character's future growth or the challenges they will face
  • Visual motifs, recurring dialogue, or symbolic objects can be used to subtly guide the audience's understanding of a character's journey
• Allowing characters to make mistakes and face the consequences of their actions, as these experiences often lead to growth and learning
• Incorporating moments of self-reflection and introspection, where characters examine their own thoughts, feelings, and motivations
  • These moments can be conveyed through dialogue, inner monologues, or visual storytelling techniques like dream sequences or flashbacks

Impact on Young Viewers

• Character growth in children's television can serve as a model for personal development, inspiring young viewers to face their own challenges and strive for self-improvement
• Seeing characters overcome obstacles, learn from their mistakes, and become better versions of themselves can foster resilience and a growth mindset in children
• Character arcs that promote positive values, such as kindness, empathy, and perseverance, can help shape children's moral and ethical development
• Diverse character journeys can provide representation and validation for children from different backgrounds, helping them feel seen and understood
  • This can be particularly important for children who may not see themselves represented in other media or in their daily lives
• Character growth can also help children develop emotional intelligence and understanding, as they witness characters navigating complex emotions and relationships
• Seeing characters form and maintain healthy friendships and relationships can model positive social skills and behaviors for young viewers
• Character arcs that address social issues, such as discrimination, bullying, or environmental concerns, can raise awareness and encourage children to become active participants in creating positive change
• However, it is important for writers and creators to be mindful of the messages and values conveyed through character growth, as children are highly impressionable and may internalize these lessons

Challenges and Controversies

• Balancing the need for character growth with the episodic nature of many children's shows can be challenging, as characters may need to reset to their default state at the end of each episode
• Maintaining consistency in character development across multiple seasons, writers, and directors can be difficult, leading to potential inconsistencies or contradictions in a character's arc
• Ensuring that character growth is age-appropriate and not too complex or mature for the target audience
  • Writers must consider the cognitive and emotional development of their young viewers when crafting character arcs
• Addressing sensitive topics, such as mental health, identity, or trauma, through character growth requires careful handling and consultation with experts to avoid perpetuating stereotypes or causing unintended harm
• Balancing the representation of diverse character journeys while avoiding tokenism or stereotyping
  • It is important to create authentic and nuanced character arcs that do not rely on harmful tropes or oversimplifications
• Navigating the potential influence of merchandise and marketing on character development, as the desire to sell products may sometimes overshadow the integrity of a character's arc
• Dealing with fan reactions and expectations surrounding character growth, particularly when a character's arc takes an unexpected or controversial turn
• Adapting to changing social norms and values over time, as character arcs that were once considered progressive may become outdated or problematic in light of new understandings and perspectives