Gender stereotyping in children's literature : an analysis of Anne Fine's Bill New Frock (2010) with grade 4 learners.

Abstract

This purpose of this study is to determine the effect, if any, that gender stereotyping in children’s literature, has on learners’. The study looks at the analysis of a novel by Anne Fine entitled “Bill’s New Frock” (2010) in a grade 4 classroom. The study uses a mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data to yield results. The study takes on a 3 stage structure i.e. pre-test (questionnaires) to determine existing gender stereotypes, during- test (reading of the novel) and post-test (focus group interviews). The results of the study found that learners’ have a pre-constructed understanding of gender stereotypes influenced by the society, community and population they originate. This is embedded into their conscious as a norm. However exposure to “Bill’s New Frock” (2010) challenged these gender understandings and not only sensitised learners’ to gender equality but also facilitated a change in their gender construct.