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Strabismus in Animation: Why Representation Matters
There has been a lot of discussion about how strabismus is shown in children’s animation, and for good reason. Thanks to the research by Dr Michael Puente* and his colleagues, more people are starting to see how harmful media portrayals can affect both children and adults with strabismus. Negative depictions of strabismus in children’s animation could have a profound psychological effect in that such media representations shape societal attitudes, but also the self-concept, of those individuals who live with the condition. When kids with strabismus repeatedly see characters with misaligned eyes used for laughing, depicted as unintelligent, they internalise these messages. This can lead to deep feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and social anxiety.
*Depictions of Strabismus in Children’s Animated Films | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
Children reach out for images of themselves in the media, and when they do not see their condition reflected positively in what they watch, they may start to feel ‘less than’ or inferior to their peers. This is particularly damaging during childhood when self-identity and social confidence are still being developed.
Instead of reinforcing outdated stereotypes, children’s animated films have the power to challenge them. Imagine a world where a character with strabismus is the courageous leader of an adventure, the sharpest problem-solver in the group, or the kind-hearted friend that others look up to. This shift in representation would not only empower children with strabismus but also educate all children that physical differences do not define a person’s abilities, intelligence, or worth. But this issue is not just about self-esteem. It also affects social opportunities and career chances.
How Does Strabismus Affect Life Opportunities?
Children with strabismus often face negative treatment from an early age. This can impact:
School – Some teachers may underestimate children with strabismus, and classmates may exclude them. This can hurt their confidence and future goals.
Jobs – First impressions matter. People with visible differences, like strabismus, can face unfair bias in hiring and promotions.
Social and professional networking – Many careers depend on good communication skills and confidence. If a person has grown up feeling judged for their appearance, it can be harder to progress in their career or take leadership roles.
The Power of Positive Representation
Imagine if animated films showed characters with strabismus as leaders, heroes, scientists, or adventurers.
- This would empower children with strabismus.
- It would challenge stereotypes and educate society.
- It would show that eye misalignment does not mean a lack of intelligence or ability.
Time for Change
Because broadcast media has such a big impact, we need to talk to animation studios about this issue. We should ask them to think about how they show strabismus in their films.
What do you think? Should we contact animation studios and start this conversation? Let’s make our voices heard.
Dr Silvia Riva is an Associate Professor and HCPC Clinical Psychologist, School of Allied, and Life Sciences, St Mary’s University, Twickenham.