Learning About Loss: A Content Analysis Examination of Children’s Books on Death and Dying.

Document Type

Presentation

Presentation Date

8-9-2009

Abstract or Description

Presentation given at American Sociological Association Annual Conference.

Many parents turn to picture books and storybooks to help explain issues surrounding death and dying to their young children. But what do these books have to say, and what can they tell us about how our society thinks children, in particular, should approach issues of death, dying, grief, and bereavement? This qualitative content analysis research examines portrayals of emotions, family relationships, and cultural and religious beliefs in children's storybooks about death, dying, grief, and bereavement. In addition to dealing with topics such as death, funerals, memories, and grief, a number of the books also portray family relationships, gender roles, and beliefs about things such as heaven and what our loved ones experience after they die. This research describes how emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, and even joy are depicted in children's books about death. It provides a look at how our society reacts to death differently depending on whether the deceased was an older person, a younger person, or even a beloved family pet, and it provides insight into cultural and religious beliefs related to death and dying.

Sponsorship/Conference/Institution

American Sociological Association Annual Conference

Location

San Francisco, CA

Source

http://citation.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/3/0/5/9/3/p305932_index.html?type=info&PHPSESSID=r4hor4npfvu4fklmh48n4jrmi4

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS