Representation of Gender in the Selected Pakistani Authors’ Children’s Picture Books

Abstract

Children’s picture books have a significant role in developing gender roles and identities in children. Therefore, children’s literature is one of the most influential mediums to instill social and cultural values. This study addresses gender depiction in children’s picture books by Pakistani authors. A total of five picture books authored by Pakistani writers are selected to see how gender is portrayed through language. Qualitative textual analysis of selected picture books has been undertaken to uncover characters of different genders. Spender’s dominance approach (1980) to language is employed for the linguistic analysis of characters. Turner Bowker’s (1996) and Alsagoff’s (2009) general categorizations of adjectives are employed to investigate descriptors used for characters of different genders. Linguistic analysis of the picture books reveals that gender disparity exists in the authors' word choices. Male characters are defined as determined, authoritative, and proud, while females are described as beautiful, and caring, but not brave enough to fight for themselves. Gender-oriented tasks are given to male and female figures. Females are restricted to indoor activities, while outdoor activities are assigned to the male gender. Even if women are portrayed in public life, the nature of their roles remains the same; she is in the role of teacher, nurse, and receptionist. In contrast to previous studies, their representation in central roles and titles has greatly improved. Such stereotypical depictions of gender may have a detrimental effect on children’s minds. Hence, it is imperative for parents and teachers to choose gender-neutral literature for children. 

       Keywords: children’s literature, picture books, gender depiction