Gender Roles in Childrens Books - 1034 Words

GENDER REPRESENTATION AND STEREOTYPING IN 7 for the years pre-1970 presented male to female ratios of 4.0:1 in titles, 2.6:1 in central roles, and 1.6:1 in pictures (Kortenhaus Demarest, 1993). The Caldecott books for the years post-1970 had more equal ratios of 1.2:1 for titles, 1.2:1 for central roles, and 1.1:1 in pictures. The non-award books showed similar ratios. This is a significant decrease from the male to female ratios in Weitzman’s study of Caldecott books in 1972. This study resulted in 8.0:1 ratio in titles, 3.5:1 ratio in central roles, and a 7.6:1 ratio in pictures (Kortenhaus Demarest, 1993). Although equality has been reached in male to female ratios, the types of roles in which male and female characters play still†¦show more content†¦Children’s literature is not an accurate reflection of the developing roles of females in America (Kortenhaus and Demarest, 1993). In Hamilton’s study of 155 best-selling non-award books in 1999 to 2001, nine best- selling award books, and thirty 1995 to 2001 Caldecott books, the results in titles showed a 1.8:1 male to female ratio, 1.8:1 in main characters, and 1.5:1 in pictures. The study also proved that female authors did not publish more books with more male than female main characters (Hamilton et al., 2006). In Gooden’s study of 83 Notable Books for Children over the years 1995 to 1999, the results showed a 1:1 male to female ratio of the main character, a 1.2:1 ratio in pictures, and the titles actually had 19 females to 18 males in them. The study also showed that women were depicted in non-traditio nal roles such as chefs and doctors. Males were still not observed grocery shopping or caring for the children (Gooden Gooden, 2001). According to these results, male to female ratios have decreased to equity numbers in pictures, titles, and main characters. Even though these studies are informative, the books reviewed do not accurately portray the popular reading list that is directed toward children at home and in libraries. The selection of the Caldecott books may have also been based on the fact that the books do stray from the female gender bias. The books makeShow MoreRelated Gender Roles in Children’s Books: An Examination of Little House in the Big Woods and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone1849 Words   |  8 Pagesthe concept of gender to classify their own kind. However, many people fail to realize that gender, unlike the system of hierarchies used by scientists to classify animals, is not biologically based. While sex is a biological concept, gender can be defined as the sociological, psychological, and cultural attributes that society associates with sex. Thus, society creates gender roles, and, accordingly, â€Å"does gender.† In other words, people require that others act out the gender roles set by societyRead MoreThe Portrayal Of Children s Books918 Words   |  4 Pagespresented in children’s media – including books. As noted by Taylor (2003), Children s books are an important cultural mechanism for teaching children gender roles. If children are exposed to stereotypical images in children’s books, they may adopt these as normative, and may adjust their actions accordingly (Paynter, 2011). Given this, it is important to examine the representation(s) of gender in children’s books. In this paper I will discuss the depiction of gender in children’s books, focusing –Read MoreChildren s Development And Self Image Essay1473 Words   |  6 PagesChildren’s literature and picture books are often entertaining and interesting to read as a child and even sometimes as an adult. However, there is a myriad of children’s stories that significantly influences children of their perception of other races and the opposite gender. In fact, â€Å"at ages 3-5, children begin the processes of actively learning to distinguish the sexes and of forming gender stereotypes [Powlishta, Serbin Moller, 1993]. Therefore, the gender roles and the number of female andRead MoreGender Roles Of Children And Young Adults906 Words   |  4 Pagesestablishing gender roles, social organization is shaped and influences how members of today’s society interact with each other and even how individuals evaluate themselves. Children’s books are written to open children’s horizons and broaden their imaginations; instead they close minds to new experiences and peddle stereotypes. Kids learn limitations when treated as gender halves instead of as individuals. Likewise, Parenting is often a leading cause in setting gender boundaries. Overall, Gender stereotypesRead MoreAnalysis Of Alison Lester s 2009-2010 Book Series1312 Words   |  6 PagesResearch question: Using an analysis of Alison Lester’s 2007-2008 book series, Bonnie and Sam, it is the aim to investigate if representations continue to construct and naturalise ‘traditionally acceptable models of gender’ in contemporary Australian children’s literature. Research background: Since the 1970s, there has been a significant increasing in academic interest surrounding gender in children’s literature. Peter Hunt (2009) argues literature has gained academic focus as society comes toRead MoreTraditional Gender Roles766 Words   |  4 PagesThere were a few television shows that reinforce the traditional gender roles assigned to both men and woman. â€Å"I Love Lucy†, â€Å"The Jeffersons†, â€Å"Goodtimes†, â€Å"All in the Family†, â€Å"My Wife and Kids†, and â€Å"Fresh Prince of Bell Air† were all traditional gender role television shows. All of these shows had the men working and the women were taking care of everything at home. â€Å"The Jeffersons† were a little different than the rest because they had Florence there to do all of the housework and Mrs. JeffersonRead MoreChildren s Books : An Essential Part Of A Child s Life1105 Words   |  5 Pages Children’s books are an essential part of a child’s life because they enhance the development of language and critical thinking skills. This provides a solid foundation of learning for adolescents that will stick with them forever. Books have the power to alter a child’s life and influence their thoughts and decisions as they grow. It affects a child’s perspective on society and how they fit into it (Hunt, 1998). Literature has significantly changed over time because it tends to reflect theRead MoreCritique. This Critique Seeks To Provide Contextualisation1355 Words   |  6 Pagesinto gendered representations in children’s literature, and the mechanisms that underpin their construction and reproduction. The key aim is to explore possible shifts within gender representation in children’s literature. Hamilton et al. (2006) argue that although there have been changes, over time, to gender representations, improvements have been mitigated by both the underrepresentation of female cha racters and a continued tendency to cast girls in â€Å"passive roles, boys in active ones† (p. 758)Read MoreGender, Stereotypes, And Stereotypes Essay1434 Words   |  6 Pagessocial rules. Recently, stereotypes based on genders have been put into the limelight and have become of high interest to a generation that is infamously known for deviating from the established way of life. Millennials have put gender roles under fire, deeming it a form of segregation and discrimination by gender. Researchers have followed suit. Mimicking millennial interests, numerous studies have been published that detail the relationship between gender, stereotypes, and the effects of the relationshipRead MoreI Watched A Fair Amount Of Television985 Words   |  4 PagesLittle Bill. All of which, starred mostly male characters. At the time, I didn’t think much of it; it made sense for boys to be the stars. All of my teddy bears had boy names, the gender neutral characters in my books were boys, and I even called my female cat a boy. It wasn’t until later when I became more educated on gender inequality and stereotypes that I noticed the problem on television and in other aspects of my childhood that affected the way that I thought. In 1991, Katha Pollitt, a poet and