Study of Gender Discrimination in the Children’s Story Books during 1380 to 1385

Document Type : scientific

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Shiraz University

2 Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Shiraz University

3 M.A. of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Shiraz University

Abstract
Children’s Story Books have an important role in conveying the culture, values, gender roles, and socialization of children. Therefore, ways of representing men and women have a special importance in these books, and authors of such stories, consciously or unconsciously, can convey various patterns and stereotypes to the society through such stories and their attention to the selection of the content of story. As a result, this paper tries to examine gender discrimination in the storybooks published by The Center of Child and Adolescent Mental Education during 2001-2006 (1380-1385). In this study, gender discrimination in the story books has been studied based on 4 levels: 1. males' and females' social relations, 2. males' and females' activities, 3. males' and females' socio-affective behaviors, and 4. Gender discrimination in qualities, demonstratives and ironies. Also have been taken into account issues such as level of occupation, job activities, training activity of the child, socio-political activities, leisure time activities, risk-taking, and adventurous activities, positive and negative feelings, the character’s strong and weak points, resistance against pressure, demonstratives, and ironies. The study uses Michel’s theory of gender discrimination as the theoretical framework. Sampling and statistical societies are the same, including 36 titles of the books described in the form of 82 stories. To gather information, documentary technique was used. Its value was secured through studying and evaluation of Michel’ theory as well as discussion and exchange of ideas with experts of the field. In addition, content analysis method was used to conduct the study. The results of the study showed that gender discrimination exists in all four levels in the story books studied in this research. In addition, women are depicted in an inferior place in comparison with men.
 

Keywords


Volume 8, Issue 4
Winter 0
Pages 35-54

  • Receive Date 22 February 2017
  • First Publish Date 22 February 2017
  • Publish Date 22 December 2014