| Summary: | Two secondary social studies textbooks, Canada: A Nation
Unfolding, and Canada Today were analyzed with regard to the
inclusion of the lives, experiences, perspectives and
contributions of females throughout history and today. Drawing
on the existing literature,-a framework of analysis was created
comprised of four categories: 1) language; 2) visual
representation; 3) positioning and; 4) critical analysis of
content. Each of these categories was further broken into a
series of related subcategories in order to examine in depth and
detail, the portrayal of women in these two textbooks.
Each book was carefully read and then analyzed for instances
of gender bias as informed by the analytical framework. Neither
of the books was. free from gender bias. Although the authors of
the textbooks are careful to employ gender inclusive language,
language used to describe women's lives, experiences and
contributions is problematic. It often denies them agency and
categorizes them as members of nameless, faceless collectives.
Visually, women in these two textbooks are under represented, and
the manner of the representation is problematic, particularly
when attention is given to traditional and non-traditional roles
(for both men and women). Frequently, information about women is
included outside of the main text, reinforcing their historical
marginalization. Finally, the textbooks were found to be neither
fair or equitable with regard to women's historical
contributions.
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