These male animated figures are either the head of a household, male characters who lead an army, or men who lead through violence. Three out of every four cartoon characters are male. Male roles dominate action adventure shows while women's roles are in comedies or family dramas. The females are almost always depicted as housewives or as passive. Wonder Woman , Annie Oakley and Dr. Quinn are rare occurrences.
Television perpetuates gender stereotypes because it reflects dominant social values.
In reflecting them TV also reinforces them, presenting them as 'natural'. Men dominate U.S. society including the TV industry. These men unconsciously reproduce a traditional 'masculine' perspective, perpetuating dominant gender stereotypes. Many programs are designed to be interpreted from a masculine perspective . Viewers are frequently invited to identify with male characters and to objectify females.