Contemporary Masculine Identities in Children’s Literature: The Case of the Book The Boys

Abstract

In recent decades, international studies have highlighted the unequal and stereotypical representation of the two genders in children's literature. Gender stereotypes shape and reproduce biases that penetrate all aspects of everyday life. The repeated depiction of traditional gender roles in media, which also serve a socializing function, reinforces the patriarchal structure of society. Children's literature is a fundamental medium for transmitting ideologies and values to young children, as it provides socially acceptable behavioral models through its portrayals. In doing so, it contributes to the formation of their perceptions about the world and themselves. In this way, children's literature plays a role in shaping a child's gender identity, a process closely linked to self-image and self-esteem. While research has often focused more on the negative effects of gender stereotypes on girls' lives and future choices, the development of men's studies in recent decades has shown that traditional gender roles can be equally dysfunctional and limiting for boys. Through such realizations, children's literature, acknowledging its socializing role, attempts to present more egalitarian representations of gender, free from limiting clichés. A notable example is the illustrated children's book The Boys, which, both in its text and illustrations, presents a wide range of contemporary male identities.