Gender Role Instillment Upon Children Through the Use of Children's Literature

Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Graham, Steven

Keywords

Gender, Children's Literature, Social Psychology

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

Previous research has established that gender roles and gender stereotypes are prevalent in children's literature. Through the use of children's literature, teachers' roles as potential social influences in gender role instillment on students were examined to understand the possible impact they could have on other domains, like occupational preference and gender item-associations. A sample of 14 children, 4-6 years of age, completed a short questionnaire inquiring about the children's desired future occupation, were read two stories, completed a sticker task indicating their preferred ending out of two choices, and participated in a flashcard task. Additionally, two female participants listened only to the second story and completed the remaining tasks. The results found were suggestive, but inconclusive. Teachers appeared to have influenced preferences for story endings. Short-term influence and gender role instillment, both stereotypical and atypical, were observed.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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