Children's Books as a Source of Influence on Gender Role Development: Analysis of Female Characters Using Jung's Four Archetypes

Authors

Shirley J. Mills, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Anita Pankake, The University of Texas-Pan AmericanFollow
Janine Schall, University of Nebraska- Lincoln

Date of this Version

4-2010

Document Type

Article

Citation

2010 Pro>Active Publications

Comments

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership, Vol. 8, No.2-April 2010 ISSN: 1541-6224

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to answer this question: Do children when choosing a book to read for pleasure receive a stereotypical impression of the female role as opposed to the male role as defined by the literature? A qualitative study reviewed main female characters of the Children's Choice books of 2008 with Jung's archetypes (Great Good Mother, Wise Old Man, Hero, and Trickster). Content analysis was conducted using Hershey-Freeman's critique. Hero archetype was most common with Great Good Mother as second. Female characters analyzed appear to epitomize traits of a new generation of leaders "modeling the way".