Examining gender expressions on TikTok dance videos: a critical content analysis

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Date
2023-12-20
Authors
Fisher, Haley
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Abstract

Gender is a crucial part of one’s identity and dance is a way for individuals to perform movements and express their identity. With the popularity of social media sites like TikTok, individuals have a safe space to participate in activities like dance where they may also challenge cis-heteronormativity. This study was guided by the question: How are gender expressions portrayed on TikTok dance videos? Employing a qualitative critical content analysis as research methodology, I explore gender expressions through the social phenomenon of short dance videos on the popular platform TikTok. This study defines gender as fluid and is grounded in Goffman’s self-presentation theory. To gather data, four hashtags (#maledancetrends, #femaledancetrends, #queerdancetrends, and #transdancetrends) were used to elicit a diverse cross-section of gender identities for the analysis of gender expressions. The dance videos were analyzed through the lens of critical feminism and queer theory. Findings reveal a variety of gender expressions on TikTok dance videos that resist cis-heteronormativity and may help to break the stigma around what dancers should look like and who can dance. This study has direct implications to dance education in the province, as well as nationally and internationally, and contributes to the field of gender studies, social media studies, dance education and video critical analysis.

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Keywords
dance, gender, gender identity, gender expression, TikTok, video analysis, critical content analysis
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