You'd have to be living under a log not to be aware of sexual and gender identity topics in the news. Whether it is the legalization of same sex marriage or the transformation of Katelyn Jenner, one can't ignore the social climate of our nation is changes. It's also a reality that adolescent youth in America are more aware of their sexuality than some of us would care to admit. In a study conducted by Mollie Blackburn at The Ohio State University, she examined the literacy performance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, and questioning youth (LGBTQ) interactions within an inner city youth-run center known as "The Loft". The study examined the literacy practices of LGBTQ youth ages 12-23 years old who were part of a "Speaker's Bureau": A platform for these youth to advocate for social change. Outcomes of the study found inequitable power dynamics within the center and among the youth themselves. Ironically these are the same youth vying for social change in society. It will be interesting how this will impact literacy materials and representation in the educational setting.
Studies concentrating on gender bias and inequities transcend to younger youth as well. Australian researcher and lecturer, Wayne Martino, examined the role masculinity played in adolescent boys' reading selections. Past studies found a pattern of calling boys 'faggots' (Kowaluk 1999, Martino 1994) was associated with boys who enjoyed reading or liked English. Findings showed that the boys were linked reading practices to concepts of masculinity. No one is more aware of this than book publications and marketing gurus. This is why we continue to see a strong market for fictional books with strong male characters like Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling and The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordon. Even for boys who dislike reading, movies and interactive websites have made the stories accessible and appealing. I also believe graphic novels and stories like Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney has made reading acceptable to boys.
Society seems to be more accepting of girls as readers and writers. But what if girls preferred to identify with texts mostly coded as being appropriate for boys? What if girls wanted to be superheros? Jackie Marsh asked this question and found girls 6-7 years old were attracted to superhero play. However, within play gender roles did emerge. A superhero cave was set up in the classroom along with a Batman's and Batwoman Diary. Overall, boys tended to write shorter messages to the police from Joker while girls tended to write longer messages. Interestingly, when the boys wrote letters they didn't mention Batgirl. Girls, on the other hand, learned to negotiate play to be included. Conclusions from the study highlight the importance of teachers to make girls feel safe and affirmed that it's okay to play superhero!
Blackburn, M. (2003). Exploring literacy performances and power dynamics at the loft: Queer
youth reading the world and the word. Research in The Teaching of English, 37, 467-490.
Marsh, J. (2000). But I want to fly too!: Girls and superhero play in the infant classroom. Gender
and Education, 12(2), 209-220.
Martino, W. (2001). Boys and reading: Investigation the impact of masculinities on boys' reading
preferences and involvement in literacy. The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, 24
(1), 61-74.
First, I love your opening! I had to smile at it!
ReplyDeleteYou write about Rick Riordon's book- The Lightening Thief. One thing our readings did not touch on this week was that of the exceptional learner. Riordon's book series is about the exceptional learner and others that do not fit the dominate student stereotype that become heroes! So how does that fit our articles? The Loft, by Blackburn, illustrates a place for those that are different trying to find a way to fit in or discover how to fit into the social cultures by developing a new safe community for themselves just as in Rowling's & Riordon's stories. The stories provide the action that the males want and the strength that nurtures that girls seem to want to have. I struggle with gender issues all the time, but maybe it is okay to allow children opportunities to discover who they are & for parents/teachers to guide the opportunities. We need all kinds to make our cultures work!