Here's what the research tells us: kids absorb messages about gender roles from media whether we're actively teaching them or not. A 2019 study from the Geena Davis Institute found that female characters in family films are still more likely to be defined by their relationships and appearance than male characters, and they speak significantly less—even in movies released in the past few years.

But here's the thing that should actually make us optimistic: when girls see female characters who are brave, curious, flawed, and capable, it expands their sense of what's possible. Not in some abstract "you can be anything" way, but in a concrete "oh, girls can be scientists/athletes/leaders/weirdos and that's normal" way.

And honestly? Boys benefit from this content too. Everyone wins when we stop cramming kids into tiny boxes labeled "this is how girls act" and "this is how boys act."

Before we get to specific recommendations, let's talk about what we're actually looking for:

Female characters who drive the story. Not sidekicks, not love interests, not the "smart girl" who helps the boy hero. Characters who have their own goals, make their own decisions, and deal with the consequences.

Variety in how girls are portrayed. Athletic girls, nerdy girls, artistic girls, loud girls, quiet girls, silly girls, serious girls—and ideally, characters who are more than one thing at once.

Friendships that feel real. Not just catty drama or competition over boys. Actual supportive friendships where girls help each other, have conflicts that get resolved, and genuinely like each other.

Problems that require brains, not just beauty. Characters who solve problems through creativity, intelligence, persistence, collaboration—not by looking pretty or being rescued.

Representation that reflects reality. Girls of different races, body types, abilities, and family structures. Because all girls deserve to see themselves on screen.

Bluey - Yes, Bluey is technically about a boy dog, but Bluey's little sister Bingo is equally central, and the show features incredible female characters including Bluey's mom Chilli, who is possibly the most realistically portrayed working mother in children's media. Plus the show treats emotional intelligence as a strength, not a weakness.

Ada Twist, Scientist - Based on the book series, this show features a curious Black girl who asks questions, conducts experiments, and solves problems through scientific thinking. No princess dresses required.

Molly of Denali - An Alaska Native girl who loves adventure, values her culture, and models actual research skills. Genuinely educational without being preachy.

The Wild Kratts - Features Aviva, an incredible engineer and inventor who designs all the technology the team uses. She's smart, confident, and essential to every mission—not the token girl character.

Hilda - A fearless girl who explores a magical world, makes friends with unusual creatures, and solves problems through curiosity and kindness. Beautiful animation, genuinely engaging stories, and a female protagonist who's brave without being "not like other girls" about it.

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Katara is one of the best-written female characters in animated TV history. She's powerful, compassionate, flawed, and grows throughout the series. Plus Toph, Suki, and Azula provide wildly different examples of strong female characters.

The Baby-Sitters Club - The Netflix adaptation is genuinely excellent. Seven different girls with seven different personalities, all treated as equally valuable. They run a business, deal with real problems, and support each other through everything.

Anne with an E - A more mature take on Anne of Green Gables that doesn't shy away from difficult topics but centers a fiercely intelligent, imaginative girl who refuses to be diminished.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power - Don't let the princess title fool you—this is a show about leadership, friendship, trauma, and redemption that happens to feature incredible female characters and LGBTQ+ representation.

Gravity Falls - Mabel Pines is joyfully, unapologetically herself—creative, optimistic, boy-crazy, and brilliant. Her twin brother Dipper is equally central, but Mabel never plays second fiddle, and the show celebrates her personality rather than trying to "fix" her.

Look, if your kid loves Frozen or Encanto, that's fine. Modern Disney actually does a pretty decent job with female characters compared to the old-school "someday my prince will come" stuff.

The issue isn't princesses existing—it's when princess content is the ONLY thing girls see. It's about balance. A girl can love sparkly dresses AND watch shows where female characters build robots, play sports, conduct science experiments, and go on adventures.

If your daughter is deep in the princess phase, try supplementing with shows where girls do other things. You're not taking anything away—you're just expanding the menu.

The best TV for girls is simply good TV that happens to feature well-written female characters. You're not looking for propaganda or "educational content" that feels like eating vegetables. You're looking for engaging stories where girls get to be fully realized people.

Pay attention to what your daughter gravitates toward. Does she love adventure? Science? Comedy? Friendship stories? Use that as your guide, then look for quality shows in those genres that feature strong female characters.

And here's the thing nobody tells you: you don't have to love everything your kid watches. But you should occasionally watch with them and talk about what you're seeing. Ask questions like "What would you have done in that situation?" or "What do you think about how they solved that problem?"

The conversation matters just as much as the content itself.

Start with one new show this week. Pick something from the age-appropriate list above that matches your daughter's interests. Watch the first episode together and see what she thinks.

Create a rotation. If your kid has favorite shows they rewatch endlessly (we see you, Gabby's Dollhouse), that's fine—but try introducing one new show per week to expand their media diet.

Need more options? Check out our guide to alternatives to popular shows or explore shows by age and interest.

The goal isn't perfection. It's intentionality. You're doing great.