Description
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Gender stereotypes are simplified beliefs about characteristics and roles deemed appropriate for men and women. Research shows that many textbooks and educational practices contribute to the perpetuation of gender stereotypes. The purpose of this paper was to investigate how gender representations in school textbooks influence societal perceptions of gender roles. It examined how certain narratives in the learning materials reinforce traditional gender norms.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed a qualitative research approach to examine perspectives on gender stereotypes in educational textbooks. This methodology was chosen
for its effectiveness in providing deep insights into how these stereotypes are formed, depicted, and perceived in educational contexts. Secondary data were obtained from various academic online platforms, including Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, and JSTOR, using a purposive sampling strategy. To ensure the reliability of the selected studies, specific inclusion criteria were applied, focusing on empirical research published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings: The study reveals that many learning institutions’ textbooks portray men and women in stereotypical gender roles. Women are primarily shown in nurturing or domestic roles, while men are often portrayed as leaders and powerful. This tendency reinforces traditional gender stereotypes. Many of these textbooks, inherited from the colonial education system, remain in use in numerous schools across the Global South, particularly in Africa.
Originality/Value: This study advocates revising the content of educational textbooks on gender stereotypes to better reflect Afrocentric perspectives on gender. Afrocentric perspectives honour and validate the cultural practices of African societies and empower women by reflecting their true roles and contributions within their communities.
Keywords: Gender, Textbook, Education, Global South, Decolonisation
