Children's Literature: Gender Roles and Sex Stereotyping
Greetings. The following materials are intended to provide an introduction to Children's Literature: Gender Roles and Sex Stereotyping . They were assembled from the World Wide Web, ERIC Database, and a variety of other bibliographic resources. Instructions for acquiring the full text of the ERIC records is presented at the end of this file.
Ping-Yun Sun
Reference Specialist
Alphabetically arranged listing of bibliographies
Categorically arranged listing of bibliographies
Internet Sites
Gender Issues in Children's Literature
Gender Stereotypes and Children's Literature
Nontraditional Roles
Picture Books Illustrating Non-Traditional Gender Roles
Brave Girls and Strong Women Bookstore
Celebrating Women's History Month
Empowering Young Women
Citations From the ERIC Database
AN: EJ608399
AU: Nodelman,-Perry
TI: The Boys in Children's Books.
PY: 1999 SO: Riverbank-Review; p5-7 Fall 1999
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Gender-Issues; *Males-; *Masculinity-; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Characterization-; Females-; Femininity-; Values-
AB: Explores the ideas of masculinity in children's books. Highlights include how the emotions and experiences of male characters might have been shaped by the authors' and their cultures' assumptions about what it means to be male; stereotypes, of femininity and masculinity; conventional male characteristics; and traditional masculine values. (LRW)
AN: EJ606410
AU: Enciso,-Patricia; Rogers,-Theresa; Marshall,-Elizabeth; Tyson,-Cynthia; Jenkins,-Christine; Brown,-Jacqueline; Core,-Elizabeth; Cordova,-Carmen; Youngsteadt-Parish,-Denise; Robinson,-Dwan
TI: Gender Representations: Reaching Beyond the Limits We Make.
PY: 1999 SO: New-Advocate; v12 n3 p285-97 Sum 1999
DE: *Adolescent-Literature; *Childrens-Literature; *Sex-Fairness; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Annotated-Bibliographies; Elementary-Secondary-Education; Literature-Appreciation; Reading-Material-Selection; Reading-Materials
AB: Describes 15 children's books (published in 1998 or 1999) that offer diverse representations of gender. Discusses them in tandem with landmark children's books in categories of picture books (from traditional tales to contemporary and historical representations), series books (fitting into and breaking the mold), and chapter books (navigating norms and ideals). Offers a longer description of one children's book. (SR)
AN: EJ594242
AU: Harris,-Violet-J.
TI: Applying Critical Theories to Children's Literature.
PY: 1999 SO: Theory-into-Practice; v38 n3 p147-54 Sum 1999
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Critical-Reading; *Reader-Text-Relationship; *Reading-Materials
DE: Children-; Critical-Theory; Elementary-Education; Elementary-School-Students; Ethnic-Stereotypes; Sex-Stereotypes
AB: Discusses the evaluation of children's literature and children's responses to literature, examining ideas posed by various writers and scholars, offering an example of a critical reading of one text, and noting several themes that are apparent in the text (e.g., gaining access to cultural institutions, refuting stereotypic images, and creating public space for culturally centered images). (SM)
AN: EJ584467
AU: Trepanier-Street,-Mary-L.; Romatowski,-Jane-A.
TI: The Influence of Children's Literature on Gender Role Perceptions: A Reexamination.
PY: 1999 SO: Early-Childhood-Education-Journal; v26 n3 p155-59 Spr 1999
DE: *Childhood-Attitudes; *Childrens-Literature; *Preschool-Children; *Sex-Role; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Attitude-Change; Early-Childhood-Education; Occupations-; Sex-Differences
AB: Reexamined preschoolers' gender attitudes regarding occupational roles, and the impact of use of selected children's books and planned book-related activities on thinking about gender and occupational roles. Found that although preschoolers' attitudes were still generally stereotypic, they were more flexible than in previous research regarding occupational roles. Reading of carefully selected books and book-related activities were associated with less stereotypic gender attitudes. (KB)
AN: EJ583558
AU: Benson,-Linda
TI: The Hidden Curriculum and the Child's New Discourse: Beverly Cleary's "Ramona Goes to School."
PY: 1999 SO: Children's-Literature-in-Education; v30 n1 p9-29 Mar 1999
DE: *Characterization-; *Childrens-Literature; *Educational-Environment; *Hidden-Curriculum; *Sex-Role; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Content-Analysis; Elementary-Education; Literary-Criticism; Novels-; Social-Influences
AB: Examines some of the hegemonic forces at work in the complex social dynamics of the traditionally feminized elementary school setting. Demonstrates how the dominant culture manipulates the character of Ramona, who, if not silenced or entirely subdued by the end of the series, is at least much more civilized according to the norms of the classroom. (RS)
AN: EJ579285
AU: McDaniel,-Thomas-R.; Davis,-Anita-P.
TI: You've Come a Long Way, Baby--or Have You? Research Evaluating Gender Portrayal in Recent Caldecott-Winning Books.
PY: 1999 SO: Reading-Teacher; v52 n5 p532-36 Feb 1999
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Content-Analysis; Feminism-; Higher-Education; Reading-Research; Sex-Bias; Sex-Fairness
AB: Examines sex inequalities in both text and pictures of award-winning children's books from 1972 through 1997. Compares findings with a study examining award-winning children's books from 1940 to 1971. Finds few gains in representation of females, and finds that the decade of the 1950's remains that with the highest representation of females in these texts. (SR)
AN: EJ607784
AU: Stroud,-Cynthia-D.
TI: Sexism and Gender-Typing in AATE Award-Winning Plays, 1990-1993.
PY: 1998 SO: Youth-Theatre-Journal; v12 p19-24 1998
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Scripts-; *Sex-Fairness; *Sex-Stereotypes; *Theater-Arts
DE: Elementary-Secondary-Education; Playwriting-
AB: Investigates whether the same patterns of sexism and gender-typing found in popular and award-winning children's literature exist in 10 award-winning plays for young people. Finds relatively few instances of nine overtly sexist traits in the plays. (SR)
AN: EJ578132
AU: Evans,-Karlin-S.
TI: Combating Gender Disparity in Education: Guidelines for Early Childhood Educators.
PY: 1998 SO: Early-Childhood-Education-Journal; v26 n2 p83-87 Win 1998
DE: *Classroom-Environment; *Sex-Bias; *Sex-Fairness; *Teaching-Methods
DE: Change-Strategies; Childrens-Literature; Early-Childhood-Education; Nondiscriminatory-Education; Play-; Sex-Stereotypes; Teacher-Student-Relationship
AB: Research has indicated a gender disparity in early education environments in terms of student-teacher interaction, fostering of different types of play, varying use of praise and gender-specific messages, and stereotypical messages in literature or play materials. This article outlines areas within a classroom that teachers or child care providers can assess and update to reflect a more gender-fair environment. (Author/EV)
AN: EJ577152
AU: Berman,-Ruth
TI: No Joe Marches.
PY: 1998 SO: Children's-Literature-in-Education; v29 n4 p237-47 Dec 1998
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Males-; *Sex-Role; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Elementary-Secondary-Education; Imagination-; Intellectual-Experience
AB: Notes almost no books encourage boys in their love of intellect and imagination. Discusses stories that give ambivalent encouragement to boys for such activities. Notes that boys in books written by women seem more comfortable with their enjoyment of books and writing. Encourages writers and publishers to experiment with more positive portrayals of boys as young writers. (SR)
AN: EJ571708
AU: Powell,-Janet-L.; Gillespie,-Cindy-S.; Swearingen,-Rebecca-A.; Clements,-Nancy-E.
TI: The History of Gender Roles in the Newbery Medal Winners.
PY: 1998 SO: Journal-of-Children's-Literature; v24 n1 p42-57 Spr 1998
NT: Theme: Issues in Selection and Evaluation of Children's Literature. Published by the Children's Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English, Evelyn Freeman, co-editor, School of Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University, 333 Arps Hall, 1945 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43210.
DE: *Characterization-; *Childrens-Literature; *Sex-Role; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Awards-; Content-Analysis
AB: Updates previous studies and provides the first comprehensive history of both male and female roles in Newbery winners. Identifies shifts in gender roles. Finds that gender roles in the Newbery winners are becoming increasingly balanced and that the parity between male and female main characters also has improved dramatically. Recommends that teachers present gender issues in a critical manner. (RS)
AN: EJ568532
AU: Enciso,-Patricia-E.
TI: Good/Bad Girls Read Together: Pre-Adolescent Girls' Co-Authorship of Feminine Subject Positions during a Shared Reading Event.
PY: 1998 SO: English-Education; v30 n1 p44-66 Feb 1998
DE: *Females-; *Novels-; *Preadolescents-; *Reading-Interests; *Recreational-Reading; *Sex-Role
DE: Case-Studies; Childrens-Literature; Group-Discussion; Interviews-; Middle-Schools; Reading-Research; Sex-Stereotypes; Student-Reaction
AB: Discusses reading with pre-teens Francine Pascal's "Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends," one of a series of pre-romance novels featuring identical twin sisters. Interviews six girls using the Symbolic Representation Interview (SRI) about the good girl/bad girl dichotomy in novels and other media. Provides comments by Tom Romano and Diana Mitchell. (PA)
AN: ED424591
AU: Singh,-Manjari
TI: Gender Issues in Children's Literature. ERIC Digest.
CS: ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication, Bloomington, IN.
PY: 1998
AV: ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication, Indiana University, 2805 E. 10th Street, Suite 150, Bloomington, IN 47408-2698.
PR: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DL: http://orders.edrs.com/members/sp.cfm?AN=ED424591
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Reading-Material-Selection; *Sex-Bias; *Sex-Fairness; *Sex-Role; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Elementary-Education
AB: Arguing that children's books play a significant part in transmitting a society's culture to children, this Digest discusses how gender roles are portrayed in children's books. It begins by discussing how the genders are portrayed in children's literature, and then addresses the question of why gender-representation in children's literature is significant. The Digest also discusses what teachers should keep in mind while selecting children's books, and how teachers can use children's literature to promote gender equity. Contains 8 references. (RS)
AN: ED419248
AU: Narahara,-May-M.
TI: Gender Stereotypes in Children's Picture Books.
PY: 1998
NT: Exit Project EDEL 570, University of California, Long Beach.
PR: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DL: http://orders.edrs.com/members/sp.cfm?AN=ED419248
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Multicultural-Education; *Picture-Books; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Elementary-Education; Fiction-; Reading-Material-Selection; Reading-Research; Sexism-in-Language; Teacher-Role
AB: Research has examined how gender stereotypes and sexism in picture books affect the development of gender identity in young children, how children's books in the last decade have portrayed gender, and how researchers evaluate picture books for misrepresentations of gender. A review of the research indicated that gender development is a critical part of the earliest and most important learning experiences of a young child. Picture books provide role models for children in defining standards for feminine and masculine behavior; gender stereotypes and sexism limit children's potential growth and development; non-sexist books can produce positive changes in self-concept, attitudes, and behavior; and picture books in the last decade have shown some improvement in reducing stereotypes, but subtle stereotypes still exist. Recommendations include: teachers, parents, and care-givers need to be critical in evaluating books they plan to share with young children; teachers and parents need to become familiar with criteria for evaluating books; teachers need to be critical in selecting multicultural literature; more minorities, particularly authors of Mexican American and African American ethnicity, need to write fiction for young children that authenticate their heritage; universities need to train teachers to be aware of the use of male-dominated language and the positive benefits of using non-sexist books and classroom materials; and research on books published should continue. (Contains 21 references, appendixes contain a checklist for sexism in children's literature, and two tables and two figures of data. (RS)
AN: ED419247
AU: Narahara,-May
TI: Gender Bias in Children's Picture Books: A Look at Teachers' Choice of Literature.
PY: 1998
NT: Exit Project EDEL 570, University of California, Long Beach.
PR: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DL: http://orders.edrs.com/members/sp.cfm?AN=ED419247
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Kindergarten-; *Picture-Books; *Sex-Bias; *Sex-Stereotypes; *Teacher-Attitudes
DE: Characterization-; Content-Analysis; Primary-Education; Reading-Material-Selection; Teacher-Surveys
AB: A study investigated whether some books read by kindergarten teachers to their students represent a higher proportion of female or male characters in text and imagery, and whether there was a higher proportion of female characters or male characters portrayed in stereotypical activities and roles. Subjects were four kindergarten teachers at Gauer School in the Anaheim, California School District. Teachers submitted a list of 10 books that they read every year to their class. Five books were randomly selected from each of the four sets leaving a total of 20 books to be examined for gender bias. Results indicated (1) nearly twice as many of the authors were females rather than males; (2) males outnumbered females in central roles by a margin of 3:1; (3) males slightly outnumbered females in secondary roles; and (4) male images appeared in the books more than twice as often as females. Findings suggest that some of the books used by the kindergarten teachers are gender-biased. Recommendations inclu
DE: teachers need to be critical in selecting literature for children, avoiding those that have gender stereotypical roles; teachers need to become familiar with criteria for evaluating books for gender bias; universities need to enlighten teachers about the hidden gender biases in children's literature; and the entire school staff needs to provide opportunities for both genders to have the opportunity to participate in roles in school without regard to gender. (Contains eight references; appendixes contain book list data and a checklist for sexism in children's literature.) (RS)
AN: EJ571100
AU: Hood-Williams,-John
TI: Stories for Sexual Difference.
PY: 1997 SO: British-Journal-of-Sociology-of-Education; v18 n1 p81-99 Mar 1997
DE: *Comics-Publications; *Preadolescents-; *Reading-Interests; *Sex-Differences; *Sex-Stereotypes; *Social-Influences
DE: Adolescent-Literature; Childrens-Literature; Elementary-Secondary-Education; Fantasy-; Foreign-Countries
AB: Observes that poststructuralist and earlier sociological accounts of children's literature neglect the relationship between their fantasies and preferred literature. Uses Freudian arguments to study British comics aimed at boys and girls. Suggests a need for descriptive accounts and theoretical work to better understand the hold of "sexist" semiology on children. (DSK)
AN: EJ559084
AU: Ramirez,-Melva; Dowd,-Frances-Smardo
TI: Another Look at the Portrayal of Mexican-American Females in Realistic Picture Books: A Content Analysis, 1990-1997.
PY: 1997 SO: MultiCultural-Review; v6 n4 p20-27,54 Dec 1997
DE: *Characterization-; *Childrens-Literature; *Females-; *Mexican-Americans; *Picture-Books; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Generalization-; Labeling-of-Persons; Trend-Analysis
AB: Studied whether there is a difference in the portrayal of Mexican American girls and women in picture books published from 1970 to 1990 and those published from 1990 to 1997. Overall, contemporary picture books portray fewer stereotypes, although increased generalizations are apparent in some areas. (SLD)
AN: EJ556710
AU: Wason-Ellam,-Linda
TI: "If Only I Was Like Barbie."
PY: 1997 SO: Language-Arts; v74 n6 p430-37 Oct 1997
NT: Theme: Opening Up Children's Literature.
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Females-; *Feminism-; *Mass-Media-Effects; *Self-Concept; *Sex-Role
DE: Classroom-Research; Elementary-School-Students; Ethnography-; Primary-Education; Reading-Research; Soap-Operas
AB: Examines how young girls in a multi-aged primary classroom constructed gendered identities and meanings through interactions with books and televised soap operas that often distort their vision of reality and what it is to live as a female. Discovers that the girls interpreted story to make it fit into their already established ideas about appropriate behavior for females. (SR)
AN: EJ552522
AU: McGuire,-Elaine-M.
TI: Girls Rule! TGIF: Thank God I'm Female: Girls Kick Butt.
PY: 1997 SO: Voice-of-Youth-Advocates; v20 n4 p227-28 Oct 1997
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Females-; *Librarians-
DE: Athletics-; Clothing-; Reading-Materials; Reading-Motivation; Sex-Stereotypes; Sexuality-; Teacher-Influence
AB: Argues that teachers and librarians can have a positive influence on the lives of young girls by complimenting their reading choices and search strategies rather than just their shoes and hairdos. Discusses books dealing with beauty, clothes, media stereotypes, women in sports, sexuality, and recommended reading for girls. (PEN)
AN: EJ540735
AU: Maher,-Anne; and-others
TI: "Goslob Is a Boy's Name."
PY: 1997 SO: English-in-Education; v31 n1 p24-35 Spr 1997
DE: *Childrens-Literature; *Sex-Role; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Case-Studies; Educational-Environment; Literary-Criticism; Sex-Bias; Sex-Differences
AB: Explores how firmly established are primary school children's gender expectations and how a primary school environment reinforces or challenges those expectations. Shows how gender stereotyping influences children's interpretation of literature. Discusses implications for teaching. (TB)
AN: ED411044
AU: Schlank,-Carol-Hilgartner; Metzger,-Barbara
TI: Together and Equal: Fostering Cooperative Play and Promoting Gender Equity in Early Childhood Programs.
PY: 1997
AV: Allyn and Bacon, 160 Gould Street, Needham Heights, MA 02194-2310 ($24.95).
PR: Document Not Available from EDRS.
DE: *Classroom-Techniques; *Cooperation-; *Play-; *Sex-Fairness; *Sex-Stereotypes
DE: Annotated-Bibliographies; Books-; Childrens-Literature; Class-Activities; Classroom-Environment; Early-Childhood-Education; Learning-Activities; Parent-Participation; Parent-Teacher-Cooperation; Preschool-Education; Self-Evaluation-Individuals; Sex-Bias; Sex-Role; Staff-Development; Teacher-Student-Relationship
AB: Noting the need to promote gender equity and foster cooperative play between boys and girls in early childhood programs, this guide presents ways that teachers and parents of young children can help all children realize their potential, regardless of gender, and help children learn to work and play together. Chapter 1, "Teaching for Change," focuses on self-evaluation of gender stereotyping, language use, classroom rules, and teacher intervention to support gender equity. Chapter 2, "Arranging for Change," addresses setting up the classroom to encourage cooperative cross-gender play and discourage gender stereotyping, including materials to acquire and those to avoid. Chapter 3, "Togetherness," presents activities to encourage cross-gender play; included are needed materials and brief descriptions. Chapter 4, "Updating Circle Time," describes activities to develop understanding of and respect for boys and girls, including the use of win-win games and musical instruments. Chapter 5, "Storytime Revisited," discusses book selection and contains an annotated bibliography of appropriate books. Chapter 6, "Building Compatible Partnerships with Parents," focuses on introducing the program to and communicating with parents, and encouraging parent involvement. Chapter 7, "Heightening Your Awareness," presents guidelines for self-evaluation, makes suggestions for staff development, and contains a bibliography for building awareness of gender issues. Each chapter contains references. (Author/KB)
 Teaching Literature By Women Authors |
Other Resources (available either for sale or via interlibrary loan)
Title: Regendering the school story :sassy sissies and tattling tomboys
Author: Clark, Beverly Lyon.
Edition and Year: 1st. ed., 2001
Publisher: Routledge.
Title: Beauty, brains, and brawn; the construction of gender in children's literature
Author: Lehr, Susan S.
Year: 2001
Publisher: Heinemann.
Title: Constructing the Little House: Gender, culture, and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Author: Romines, Ann.
Year: 1997
Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press.
Title: Waking Sleeping Beauty feminist voices in children's novels.
Author: Trites, Roberta Seelinger.
Year: 1997
Publisher: University of Iowa Press.
Title: Shabanu : daughter of the wind
Author: Staples, Suzanne Fisher.
Year: 1997
Publisher: Sundance.
Title: Nancy Drew and company : culture, gender, and girls' series
Author: Inness, Sherrie A.
Year: 1997
Publisher: Bowling Green State University Popular Press.
To Order Full-Text Copies of ERIC Journal and ERIC Document Citations:
Citations identified with an ED (ERIC document) number are available in ERIC microfiche collections at over 1000 locations worldwide; to identify your local source, connect to the: ERIC Resource Collection.
Documents can also be ordered through EDRS for a fee: email service@edrs.com, tel. (800)443-ERIC. Selected ERIC Documents are available through online ordering via the EDRS's web site
Citations with an EJ (ERIC journal) number are available through the originating journal, interlibrary loan services, or for a fee from the following article reproduction services: Ingenta: email: ushelp@ingenta.com, tel. (800) 296 2221, online order form; or ISI Document Solution: email: ids@isinet.com, tel. (800) 336-4474, (215) 386-4399, online order form:
