Article Review: Gender Issues Regarding Children’s Literature

      After searching for any article regarding children’s literature, I stumbled across a very intriguing topic gender issues and gender roles found in children’s literature. The article is actually called, “Gender Issues in Children’s Literature,” written by Manjari Singh. In the beginning of the article Singh clearly states his argument for appropriateness of stereotypical gender roles as a necessity of children’s literature. Children are shaped into who they are as adults beginning when they are children. This includes how they dress, what they do, the activities they like, what they want to be when they grow up, and most importantly how they interact and are accepting into society. Children do not only read to learn “language skills,” but teach also about the differences between gender roles. Kids are so conformable and typically easy to influence. How are our kids being influenced through children’s literature? This is the big question.

      “Gender bias” is portrayed very specifically and each gender distinctly through “content, language, and illustrations.” The gender influence is usually by the main character of the story. Singh then goes on to claim that actually a “majority of books are dominated by a male figure,” and even characters with gender neutral names are usually depicted by a male figure. Many classic stories and mainstream stories which involved both a boy and girl typically illustrate the stereotypes of the male and feminine gender roles, even in many Newberry and Caldecott winning books. Girls are usually shown to be “sweet, naïve, conforming and dependent,” while boys are shown to be strong, adventurous, and capable. Some very prevalent examples Singh gives us is that usually in these stories girls accomplish something with the help of another, whereas boys are so independent they come to conclusions and solutions on their own without help. Boys are the fighters and girls are the princesses who need to be rescued.

      Singh then begins to tell us why gender representation is significant in the development of children. Children can be taught “gender appropriate behavior in society,” to totally conform them to these stereotypes, so that they do not question society approved interaction and relationships between boys and girls. Singh points out that the few books that don’t follow stereotypes allow children to reevaluate the system of gender roles they’ve been taught for years. Singh believes that this problem might hinder boys and girls from really being themselves, “pressuring them to behave in ways that are gender appropriate rather than ways that best suit their personality.” Singh then wraps up this article with a couple pages about how teachers can deal with gender issues in children’s literature.

      This is a big deal subject that goes beyond reading, grammar, and language. I really agree with most of the statements made in Manjari Singh’s article. I believe children do need to be influenced; they need solid parents and roles models in their lives to help guide them into becoming an outstanding adult. Children need direction because they are young, they haven’t lived life and they definitely need that sense of stability and purpose. Often times our purpose is found by figuring out the things we love to do, however that shouldn’t limit girls to becoming stay at home moms and boys to police officers and fire fighters. Although I do agree that there is great purpose in showing children the gender stereotypes in children’s literature, but still giving girls the option to play sports, be rough and adventurous; or giving boys the option to cook, do crafts, and dress up. Most children at the young ages we are talking about here, in fact, explore both realms. Gender roles in children’s literature do give direction as Singh also approaches it. I don’t believe that stereotypes in children’s literature should be final, but definitely push children toward the norm. Most children I believe will turn out “normal” based on stereotypes anyway mainly because of all the other media influence in society and parents usually have a strong influence as well. Moms usually teach their children how to cook, clean, and take care of chores, whereas the dads play ball with the kids, set up the tent on camping trips, and fix the car. These are definite stereotypes that begin at an early age.

      I haven’t spent enough time researching children’s literature as Singh has to claim that most of it is male gender bias. That is really interesting to me and I am glad that Singh included some of the facts like this in his article. There were several statements like this and links to show where he found these claims. This statement in particular had me wondering what the impact of this male gender bias in children’s literature has been on the females. Are we as females not as important or insignificant? Is this the message that might be portrayed? To me, it just seems that there are too many books out there about the Disney Princesses, Dora the Explorer, and other fairytale figures to believe the things Singh has discovered about children’s literature. Dora the Explorer is an excellent example that contradicts this whole theory of gender bias. There are stories in children’s literature where the female takes on the “male” role, experiencing out door adventures, hiking through the jungle and forest, camping, and being outdoors, like Dora. Another example would be Claudia from “The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” where actually the girl shows very strong, courageous, independent, and dominant personality straits which are typically said to be portrayed by boys, like Singh stated in his article.

      Ultimately I feel Singh believes we should raise our children to be well rounded and that is what is most important; I agree with. The ideal would be that we could show children all aspects of life; the physical and the emotional. Let’s let children’s literature help guide children, however it doesn’t stop with books, parents and teachers are there to equip children with the tools to make their own decision ultimately about the things they like and the person they want to become, regardless of typical gender roles and stereotypes.  

Works Cited

Singh, Manjari. Gender Issues in Children’s Literature. November 1998. May 2007. http://www.indiana.edu/~reading/ieo/digests/d135.html.