In class we discussed and seemed to agree that often, books (and other media, for that matter) often perpetuate stereotypes and have the potential to send messages that may easily be interpreted in certain ways that may cause children to make generalizations or develop stereotypical understandings about the world.
However, as Sarah noted in her post, parents, teachers, siblings, and other role models can have a large impact and can ultimately affect how children view the world and develop their understandings of how society works.
As future teachers or parents, I feel that it is not our responsibility or even in our best interest to completely eliminate books such as Cinderella or the other stereotypical books we have discussed in class. These books seem to perpetuate the stereotypical roles of girls and boys, typically projecting females as nice, pretty, polite, well-mannered, etc.; while males were viewed as rough, masculine, heroes, etc. To me, rather than stripping children of these ideas and secluding these types of books from their literature, it would be more beneficial to introduce these books and integrate them with other books that confront and challenge these stereotypes. This would provide a true view of the world as the way it is and help the children understand that there are various types of roles for each gender.
For example, one could read the original Cinderella, then read the alternative book that we talked about in class where the opposite sort of event happens (the princess saves the prince and then rejects his offer for a date, etc). I think it's important to select literature that shows representations of both genders performing all types of roles and jobs. If children are introduced to a male playing a role such as a teacher, dancer, or nurse, or a female as a professional athlete, doctor, or CEO, and these are portrayed as normal, they will likely accept this with no problem.
I think that children growing up today actually will be better suited to reject stereotypes and accept individuals who may play different or rare roles because of the way society as a whole is becoming more accepting. For example, while it is still not the most common situation, it is becoming much more acceptable and "normal" for a dad to be a stay-at-home dad and a woman to be a CEO or manager of a business. If we can point these instances out to children, through books and in the real world, I think we can help dispel gender stereotypes and let children develop broad and accepting understandings of gender. As we have said, literature can have a huge impact on the way children understand themselves and their world. If we were to completely eliminate certain types of literature due to the fact that we believe they are perpetrating stereotypes, we would strip children of this important piece of knowledge. As long as parents, teachers, or other individuals can facilitate a discussion to help children understand that gender stereotypes are limiting and meaningless, I see no harm in exposing children to all types of literature (within good reason and judgment).
I like the idea you posed here of keeping the literature containing stereotypes and also including literature challenging those. I think it is better to present the world to a child the way it is but also the way it could be. It could potentially be frustrating to teach them that there are no gender stereotypes and then they go into the world and are confronted with reality unprepared. Plus, eliminating anything containing gender stereotypes is like ignoring history.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that although stereotypes in literature for children are extremely dangerous, there can be a positive side to their existence. It is important to use the unfortunate books to their advantage; show children how and why they are bad, and how it's not real-life. However, it's still tricky... how do you explain it to a three-year-old? I think you can start explaining it, but they're not going to really understand what you're saying, and they're still going to soak up the images that are being portrayed in media.
ReplyDeleteI think about how many times I've been assured that models in magazines are airbrushed, and that isn't what defines beauty, and yet I still have major insecurities with my body, largely thanks to those very images in the media. Yet, I think the stereotypes and negative images will always exist, so we will just have to put as much effort as possible in addressing the issues and teaching children of their falsehood.
I agree with this. There is no way to avoid stereotypes that society has created. Teachers, parents, siblings and other role models will always have a large impact on how children view the world. The way children think is shaped by the people that surround them along with the media. I strongly feel that stereotypes can never be shun, and I agree with Kelli when she states, “As future teachers or parents, I feel that it is not our responsibility or even in our best interest to completely eliminate books such as Cinderella or the other stereotypical books…” When we are young are way of thinking is strongly influenced by the people around us but as we get older we develop our own views on society. So I agree with Kellie when she states, “…rather than stripping children of these ideas and secluding these types of books from literature, it would be more beneficial to introduce these books and integrate them with other books that confront and challenge these stereotypes.” Everyone is going to eventually have a choice on how they think and view the world so as educators and parents we have to allow children to make their own choices. So it would be better to introduce all view points especially ones that challenge what is “normal”. I think that it is important that we allow children to become knowledgeable of the different ideas out there and hopefully when doing so their way of thinking will conform in an appropriate manner. I think it’s more important that we allow children to have their own way of thinking and to stress to them the importance of being accepting to everyone. We have to make known to children that everyone thinks differently and has different beliefs. Overall, I just don’t think there is any way to avoid stereotypes. I think it’s important that we expose children to all different viewpoints and all types of literature. I think our main goal is to stress to children the importance of being accepting to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of reading the classic story of cinderella and then reading the story that reverses the roles of the prince and the princess. This way the children can form their own concepts and not be forced one way or another. I don't think we should get rid of books that stereotype gender, such as Cinderella, these books are classics, and as long as children have the option to read something that is not stereotypical I do not think they are detrimental.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a scene from the Sex and the City movie. Although the movie is filled with stereotypical images, there is a part that resembles this discussion. The main character, Carrie, is reading a book to one of her best friend's young daughters (I believe it was Cinderalla). After the story is over, Carrie makes a point to tell the little girl that life isn't, realistically, like the fairytale's portrayal of love, including the prince on the white steed that will save her. The little girl ignores her lesson and merely asks for the story to be read once more.
ReplyDeleteIt really is amazing how early these stereotypical messages are absorbed by children. It is for this reason that I strongly agree with you that children need to be exposed to a wide range of literature, involving all themes and roles, and that it should start from the moment they are handed books (and even exposed to television programs). Although some of these ideas will be hard to break through by the time these students are learning in our classrooms, it is still worth the effort to expose them to differing viewpoints and realities.
I agree that eliminating stereotyical literature is not the answer to eliminating stereotypes. There are other sources that children can be getting information from such as TV shows or the internet. I think it is a great idea to give children variety just as you mentioned in your example about Cinderella. As a teacher I think it is our job to expose our students to many different viewpoints and try to get them to think about these critically. Giving them the skills to analyze literature or film and making them aware that stereotypes do exist is also important. I think that exploring stereotypes could be a touchy subject and may be difficult to talk about but it is important for students to understand that they do exist.
ReplyDeleteAs a parent I think it is important to tell make the distinction between fairy tales and real life or gently pointing out these stereotypical ideas. For example in an English course we were talking about sexism and racism in Disney. One student shared an experience that when they were growing up and said that their favorite character was Ariel, their mother pointed out that she needed a man to help her. I think subtle little comments like this can also help combat these stereotypes in gender and gender roles.
I agree that as teachers we do need to try and find ways that we are not enforcing certain stereotypes through our class reading selections. However, I don’t think it is possible to eliminate the stereotypes all together because everyone does interpret stories differently and one person might thing that a book is fine while another sees the same book riddled with stereotypes. Because of this I don’t think that just eliminating books that demonstrate an extreme behavior of a girl was being perpetrated as dainty and a boy having to be masculine will solve the problem. Instead I think it would be more effective if we kept these booking in the classroom and used them as a tool to explain the stereotypes and make the students realize that this isn’t how the world as to be.
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