Gender representation in children's picture and informational books on farming and farm life published 1970-1999

Abstract

This study of gender representation in children's picture and informational books on farming and farm life, published from the 1970s to the 1990s, had various aims. One was to determine whether gender representation was biased in any way. Another was to ascertain whether any trends or changes in gender representation had occurred over the last three decades. A third aim was to determine whether country of publication had any bearing on findings, and the final aim was to ascertain whether the geographical setting of the book influenced gender representation. Content analysis was used to analyse 83 books, using 9 predetermined criteria, and results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that the books contained varying degrees of gender-bias, where male characters were depicted as undertaking more farming activities than female, females undertook more domestic chores than males, and males were more often main characters than females. Books published or set in the United States or England showed more awareness of gender issues than those published or set in New Zealand or Australia. From the 1980s to the 1990s, women were shown as undertaking more farming activities, perhaps related to more illustrative material in books. However, these types of changes need to be continued so as a more balanced portrayal of the farming world is given.