A critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of African origin

Animated cartoons provide entertainment for children. In addition, they serve as agents of socialization. The content of animated cartoons is capable of changing, molding and influencing the thoughts and actions of children. Using Thompson’s Modes of Ideology, this study provides a critical discours...

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Main Authors: Joanita Naa Shika Okuley, Christiana Hammond, Albert Agbesi Wornyo, Abena Abokoma Asemanyi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Arts & Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2468056
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author Joanita Naa Shika Okuley
Christiana Hammond
Albert Agbesi Wornyo
Abena Abokoma Asemanyi
author_facet Joanita Naa Shika Okuley
Christiana Hammond
Albert Agbesi Wornyo
Abena Abokoma Asemanyi
author_sort Joanita Naa Shika Okuley
collection DOAJ
description Animated cartoons provide entertainment for children. In addition, they serve as agents of socialization. The content of animated cartoons is capable of changing, molding and influencing the thoughts and actions of children. Using Thompson’s Modes of Ideology, this study provides a critical discourse analysis of the ideologies projected in three selected animated cartoons of African origin and how the projected ideologies are portrayed. Data were gathered through document analysis and examined using textual and thematic analyses. It was discovered that animated cartoons are embedded with certain ideologies or worldviews capable of changing the mindsets of children. Ideologies such as patriarchy, hegemonic masculinity and sexualization of women were projected in the animated cartoons. It was also found that the selected animated cartoons project parent-child power imbalance and marriage and childbirth as the ultimate. In addition, the findings revealed the projection of certain ideologies through authorization, affiliation, alienation and entrenchment which are in line with Thompson’s Modes: legitimization, unification, fragmentation and reification. This study concludes that animated cartoons contribute to the spreading of certain ideologies.
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spelling doaj-art-42ce60fbb7af4d94b5bea0ce2f1d69d92025-08-20T03:05:26ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Arts & Humanities2331-19832025-12-0112110.1080/23311983.2025.2468056A critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of African originJoanita Naa Shika Okuley0Christiana Hammond1Albert Agbesi Wornyo2Abena Abokoma Asemanyi3School of Communication and Media Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Central Region – GhanaSchool of Communication and Media Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Central Region – GhanaSchool of Communication and Media Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Central Region – GhanaSchool of Communication and Media Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Central Region – GhanaAnimated cartoons provide entertainment for children. In addition, they serve as agents of socialization. The content of animated cartoons is capable of changing, molding and influencing the thoughts and actions of children. Using Thompson’s Modes of Ideology, this study provides a critical discourse analysis of the ideologies projected in three selected animated cartoons of African origin and how the projected ideologies are portrayed. Data were gathered through document analysis and examined using textual and thematic analyses. It was discovered that animated cartoons are embedded with certain ideologies or worldviews capable of changing the mindsets of children. Ideologies such as patriarchy, hegemonic masculinity and sexualization of women were projected in the animated cartoons. It was also found that the selected animated cartoons project parent-child power imbalance and marriage and childbirth as the ultimate. In addition, the findings revealed the projection of certain ideologies through authorization, affiliation, alienation and entrenchment which are in line with Thompson’s Modes: legitimization, unification, fragmentation and reification. This study concludes that animated cartoons contribute to the spreading of certain ideologies.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2468056Animated cartoonscritical discourse analysisideologychildrenAfrican originAnimation
spellingShingle Joanita Naa Shika Okuley
Christiana Hammond
Albert Agbesi Wornyo
Abena Abokoma Asemanyi
A critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of African origin
Cogent Arts & Humanities
Animated cartoons
critical discourse analysis
ideology
children
African origin
Animation
title A critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of African origin
title_full A critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of African origin
title_fullStr A critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of African origin
title_full_unstemmed A critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of African origin
title_short A critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of African origin
title_sort critical discourse analysis of selected animated cartoons of african origin
topic Animated cartoons
critical discourse analysis
ideology
children
African origin
Animation
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2468056
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