An analysis of gender displays in selected children picture books in Kenya
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Date
2015-02-09
Authors
Mathuvi, Philomena N.
Ireri, A.M.
Mukuni, Daniel M.
Njagi, Amos M.
Karugu, Njagi I.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Children’s books are an early source of gender role stereotypes. Gender displays in such books can be read or interpreted as a social problem in any education system. The study aimed at identifying common gender displays in 40 children picture books used as supplementary English texts for classes 1 to 3 in Kenya published between 2005 and 2010. Five forms of gender display were evaluated based on Ervin Goffman’s model of decoding gender displays and visual sexism. Through content analysis, mean stereotyping scores for each behavioural category were computed and the overall score for each year determined. Findings indicate that the behaviour of females is significantly different from that of males in the selected books. Both positive and negative images about females have been given although the pattern changes from year to year. Suggestions for practice and further research are given.
Description
Keywords
Gender Studies, Ervin Goffman, Children Picture Books, Kenya
Citation
International Journal of Arts 2012, 2(5): 31-38