Thalia Van Wichelen
Biographic Data
| ID | 3496507 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Thalia Van Wichelen |
| GIVEN NAMES | Thalia |
| FAMILY NAME | Van Wichelen |
| SIGNATURE | VAN WICHELEN T |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Antwerp |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-6409-9167 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 8 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 8 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2022 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
The meaning of ‘normal’ – children’s negotiation of (normal) masculinity, femininity, and LGBTQ media representations in Flanders
This study examines how 55 children (aged 10–12) in Flanders interpret LGBTQ media representations and negotiate related norms of gender and sexuality. Drawing on twelve focus groups across four different schools, the research investigates the dynamics of their peer interactions, focusing on how meanings were affirmed, contested, and redefined. The findings reveal the dominance of respect and inclusion as social norms, while also highlighting the…
‘I Never Thought Gender Would Be a Campaign Theme.’ Political Communication on Sexual and Gender Diversity during the 2024 Elections in Belgium
This article examines political communication on sexual and gender diversity by seven major Flemish political parties during the 2024 pre-election period in Belgium. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study examines (RQ1) to what extent Flemish party manifestos for the 2024 elections address themes related to sexual and gender diversity, and (RQ2) the rhetorical strategies used across different communication channels (manifestos, social media, …
Rewriting sex education: Emerging adults’ perceptions of sexual content in popular entertainment media and its relevance to sexuality education
Increased diversity, increased (dis)approval? Measuring parental attitudes towards LGBTQ characters in Flemish children’s television
This study examines parental attitudes towards LGBTQ characters in Flemish children’s television shows. Through a survey, this research aims to investigate predictors for the attitudes and levels of resistance among parents, considering specific sociodemographic characteristics and parents’ perceptions about the impact of television and children’s sexual development. Data were collected from 614 Flemish parents with children aged four to twelve. …
The Genderbread Person: Mapping the social media debate about inclusive sexuality education
In June 2021, a member of the Belgian conservative political party (N-VA) sparked online controversy regarding inclusive sexuality education by criticising the Genderbread Person, an educational tool used to explain gender identity and sexual orientation. This study analyses the notion of childhood innocence in online debate about the Genderbread Person utilising a mixed-methods approach. Using the framework of anti-genderism and heteroactivism, …
Balancing boundaries: Mapping parents’ perceived concerns and opportunities of LGBTQ storylines in children’s television
In today’s global media landscape, the integration of LGBTQ characters and storylines in children’s television has transformed media representations for young audiences. However, little is known about the way parents evaluate this on-screen presence. By means of interview with 53 Flemish parents, this study uncovered a complex interplay of considerations related to children, media, gender, and sexuality. In terms of possible opportunities associa…
From #AltErLove to #LoveIsLove: Transmedia formats, audience engagement and sexual diversity
SKAM (2015-2017) and its Flemish adaptation wtFOCK (2018-2021) use several digital platforms to provide viewers with content, enabling different types of audience engagement. By means of a social media analysis, this study investigates how producers utilise transmedia tools to enhance viewers' involvement with the depicted storyline and how viewers interact with the provided content on LGBTQ issues. An analysis of Instagram comments and posts ill…
Ticking off the (pink) diversity box? Production views on LGBT+ in children’s fiction
This article provides insight on the perceived importance Flemish producers attach to including sexual and gender diversity in their productions targeting children. Drawing on the frameworks of the ‘production ecology’, ‘cultures of production’ and ‘queer production studies’, this article considers the different internal and external influences that might impact why and how producers depict these LGBT+ narratives. Through qualitative in-depth int…
Ticking off the (pink) diversity box? Production views on LGBT+ in children’s fiction
This article provides insight on the perceived importance Flemish producers attach to including sexual and gender diversity in their productions targeting children. Drawing on the frameworks of the ‘production ecology’, ‘cultures of production’ and ‘queer production studies’, this article considers the different internal and external influences that might impact why and how producers depict these LGBT+ narratives. Through qualitative in-depth int…
Ticking off the (pink) diversity box? Production views on LGBT+ in children’s fiction
This article provides insight on the perceived importance Flemish producers attach to including sexual and gender diversity in their productions targeting children. Drawing on the frameworks of the ‘production ecology’, ‘cultures of production’ and ‘queer production studies’, this article considers the different internal and external influences that might impact why and how producers depict these LGBT+ narratives. Through qualitative in-depth int…
Increased diversity, increased (dis)approval? Measuring parental attitudes towards LGBTQ characters in Flemish children’s television
This study examines parental attitudes towards LGBTQ characters in Flemish children’s television shows. Through a survey, this research aims to investigate predictors for the attitudes and levels of resistance among parents, considering specific sociodemographic characteristics and parents’ perceptions about the impact of television and children’s sexual development. Data were collected from 614 Flemish parents with children aged four to twelve. …
The Genderbread Person: Mapping the social media debate about inclusive sexuality education
In June 2021, a member of the Belgian conservative political party (N-VA) sparked online controversy regarding inclusive sexuality education by criticising the Genderbread Person, an educational tool used to explain gender identity and sexual orientation. This study analyses the notion of childhood innocence in online debate about the Genderbread Person utilising a mixed-methods approach. Using the framework of anti-genderism and heteroactivism, …
Balancing boundaries: Mapping parents’ perceived concerns and opportunities of LGBTQ storylines in children’s television
In today’s global media landscape, the integration of LGBTQ characters and storylines in children’s television has transformed media representations for young audiences. However, little is known about the way parents evaluate this on-screen presence. By means of interview with 53 Flemish parents, this study uncovered a complex interplay of considerations related to children, media, gender, and sexuality. In terms of possible opportunities associa…
From #AltErLove to #LoveIsLove: Transmedia formats, audience engagement and sexual diversity
SKAM (2015-2017) and its Flemish adaptation wtFOCK (2018-2021) use several digital platforms to provide viewers with content, enabling different types of audience engagement. By means of a social media analysis, this study investigates how producers utilise transmedia tools to enhance viewers' involvement with the depicted storyline and how viewers interact with the provided content on LGBTQ issues. An analysis of Instagram comments and posts ill…
The meaning of ‘normal’ – children’s negotiation of (normal) masculinity, femininity, and LGBTQ media representations in Flanders
This study examines how 55 children (aged 10–12) in Flanders interpret LGBTQ media representations and negotiate related norms of gender and sexuality. Drawing on twelve focus groups across four different schools, the research investigates the dynamics of their peer interactions, focusing on how meanings were affirmed, contested, and redefined. The findings reveal the dominance of respect and inclusion as social norms, while also highlighting the…
‘I Never Thought Gender Would Be a Campaign Theme.’ Political Communication on Sexual and Gender Diversity during the 2024 Elections in Belgium
This article examines political communication on sexual and gender diversity by seven major Flemish political parties during the 2024 pre-election period in Belgium. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study examines (RQ1) to what extent Flemish party manifestos for the 2024 elections address themes related to sexual and gender diversity, and (RQ2) the rhetorical strategies used across different communication channels (manifestos, social media, …
Rewriting sex education: Emerging adults’ perceptions of sexual content in popular entertainment media and its relevance to sexuality education
Gender, Feminism, and Media (7 works) · Sociology (5 works) · Psychology (4 works) · Gender Studies (3 works) · Political science (3 works) · Queer (3 works) · Digital Games and Media (2 works) · Gender Studies (2 works) · Human sexuality (2 works) · Media studies (2 works)