Children’s Literature
Q1. I Am Jazz
Introduction
Sex and gender-based approaches give insight into different perspectives of gender. The issue of how men and women were portrayed has been controversial since the beginning of civilization. Each gender has been at the forefront of championing their rights. This issue has led to stereotypes among the two genders (Reynolds). It has either resulted in inequality and has also hindered people from both sexes from performing specific duties. For example, it is deemed weird to see a woman working as a mason. The work is believed to be for men. So different literature has been adopted to justify some of the gender stereotypes. Some believe that some stereotypes are what make the world a place where both men and women can interact.
Sex and gender approaches try to educate on why such stereotypes are there in society. What has caused this issue to be fixed in people’s minds? Children’s literature is one of the main focuses of this document (Reynolds). This is because some of the gender issues witnessed by adults were once incorporated into them through literature. Some of the short stories that children read make them believe in some gender norms. This section will analyze the picture book ‘I am Jazz” using sex and gender-based approaches.
Body
Within the picture book ‘I am jazz,’ jazz continuously is challenging gender-specific roles and stereotypes. For example, when jazz first identified as a male, her favorite color was pink. Some may say it should be blue as that’s a more bold color to favor. Another example was when jazz transitioned to female; she still enjoyed playing soccer, which again is perceived as a masculine sport. Therefore, these challenges “the representation of girls and how texts tended to adhere to a feminine ideal that disadvantaged them, suggesting girls were less clever, dynamic, and capable than boys.” pg. 46(Reynolds)
According to the picture book, it is clear the author tries to highlight some of the stereotypes but does it differently. The book attempts to justify that if a male childlike pink color, then he is a female trapped in a male body. This is the reason that led to him changing his gender. The book does not try to illustrate the differences between males and females. It could have tried to explain scientifically why women are attracted to colors such as pink, but it is not bad for a male to like pink color.
The book could be dangerous since it is being used in kindergarten, and children can have a different mentality about gender and sex. Kids usually grasp what they are being taught. These stereotypes are what grows in them until adulthood. Without such picture books, then many children could avoid such gender stereotypes (Reynolds). The issue of transgender tries to justify that there is a gender that is more superior than the other. The author could have looked for ways to encourage young kids without being stereotypic. Children ought to learn that girls can be able to play with trucks, and boys can be able to play with dolls without feeling judged or stereotyped (Reynolds). As long as the child is playing and he or she is happy, then the stereotypes do not matter. On the contrary, the theme the book tries to show is if a boy child plays with a doll, then he is transgender.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sex and gender issues can be changed from early childhood. Most children are not aware of these gender stereotypes. This can be achieved through literature. The literature taught to children should contain themes that promote gender equity.
Q2.
Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The witches by Roald Dahl
The book Matilda is portraying some gender stereotypes. Females are perceived as more approachable and more comfortable to talk to whereas Miss Trunchbull is the opposite. She portrays a ‘butch’ persona rather than a feminine approach (Dahl). The character of Mis Trunchbull shows that females can also be tough. They can be able to lead institutions, and no one can be able to play around or see them as weak human beings. The issue is that the way she is portrayed as a character who is masculine shows some stereotype (Dahl). The author believes that for a woman to be tough and strict she ought to look like a man. She ought to be unattractive. This can be very toxic to children since as they grow up, they will believe that to be tough, one can be seen as transgender (Dahl). This book is not suitable for young children. The authors need to look for ways in which they assign qualities to characters. They should not be able to discriminate against other people. A woman can be beautiful and strict. The other theme that is shown is that females can also be clever and intelligent, but society does not support them. The parents of Matilda never supported her; they were irresponsible.
In the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, gender stereotypes are portrayed among the character (Dahl). These rangers from what society expects from males and females. In the current society, it is believed that men are attracted to video games and should be harsh as compared to women who should take care of the male gender (Dahl). The first character in the book is Augustus Gloop. He is portrayed as a young obese boy who is gluttonous and greedy (Dahl). He is removed from the tour because of his character. This stereotype that any fat person is greed and greediness is one of the stereotypes that can affect children. Some might adapt to such mentality and would cause bullying to their friends.
Violet Beauregarde is a female who is portrayed to have a male physique. Her character traits are that she is rude and always demands (Dahl). This shows that for female gender to be rude and be demanding; she has to have a male physical appearance. The author was stereotypic (Dahl). He never thought of the audience he was speaking to. Children are very vulnerable and can quickly adapt to such mindsets. They would view a girl who is rude to be more masculine or vice versa. Lastly is the book “The witches.” The first notable statement by Dahl attempted to show that women are witches.
“A witch is always a woman. I do not wish to speak badly about women. Most
women are lovely. But the fact remains that all witches are women. There is no such thing as a male witch.
On the other hand, a ghoul is always a male. So indeed, it is a barghest. Both are dangerous. But neither of them is half as
dangerous as a real witch”( Dahl)
An in-depth analysis of this statement shows the gender issues is Dahl children literature. This perspective is not good for young children. They can grow up knowing that the female gender is always evil (Dahl). They would tend to stereotype them as witches as they grow old or become adults. The best way is if the author could have been more rational. He could have either avoided the issue of witchcraft, or he could not have been so specific.
Work Cited
Dahl, Roald. Charlie and the chocolate factory. Penguin, 2016.
Dahl, Roald. Matilda. Penguin UK, 2003.
Dahl, Roald. The witches. Penguin UK, 2007.
Reynolds, Kimberley. Children’s literature: A concise introduction. Vol. 288. Oxford University Press, 2011.