Dis/counting of women : a critical feminist analysis of two secondary social studies textbooks

• Main Author: Tupper, Jennifer
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/8405

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.