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A Study on Gender Stereotypes in Illustrations of Senior High School English Textbooks: A Case Study of the 2019 FLTRP Edition

Author(s)

Biyin Xu*, Yuting Wang

Affiliation(s)

School of Foreign Languages, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, Shandong, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

Against the backdrop of globalization, English textbooks function as dual carriers of language and culture, and gender representation in their illustrations exerts a profound influence on students’ social cognition and values. Taking human illustrations in the 2019 FLTRP senior high school English textbooks as the research subject, this paper adopts a mixed method of quantitative content analysis and qualitative interpretation to explore gender stereotypes from three dimensions: quantity proportion, occupational distribution and behavioral scenarios. The results show that male images outnumber female ones significantly. Males are involved in diverse high-status occupations and proactive authoritative scenarios, while females are mostly confined to traditional service jobs, family life and artistic creation. This embodies the stereotype of male dominance in the public sphere and female confinement to the private domain. It is suggested that textbook compilers strengthen gender equality awareness to optimize textbook compilation, and teachers enhance gender sensitivity to integrate equality education into classroom teaching, so as to promote gender equity in basic education.

Keywords

Senior High School English Textbooks; Illustrations; Gender Stereotypes; Gender Representation; Social Gender Theory

References

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