| This study examined the Representations of Boys' Nontraditional Gender Roles in Second Grade Children's Picture Books. It analyzed 16 picture books by well known authors such as Tomie dePaola, Mem Fox, Kevin Henkes and Munroe Leaf. Its purpose was to look at a wide range of gender roles for male characters and the relationships between characters in each book. It included a cross section of main characters including children, parents and families, teachers, adult role models and animals. Some of its major findings were that society is more comfortable with girls and women having greater flexibility with their gender roles than boys and the need for boys' gender roles to be expanded. Despite the progress being made with girls' characters in picture books, society treats boys' gender roles in much the same limited, stereotypical manner it always has. |
