From William’s Doll to Jacob’s New Dress: The Depiction of Gender Non-Conforming Boys in Children’s Picture Books From 1972 to 2014
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-12-2018
Publication Title
Journal of Homosexuality
DOI
10.1080/00918369.2018.1484635
ISSN
0091-8369
Abstract
Charlotte Zolotow’s 1972 storybook William’s Doll introduced us to a young boy who wanted nothing more than a baby doll of his own to hug, cuddle, and love. Since that time other children’s picture books featuring gender non-conforming boys have been published, telling stories about boys who dance, cook, and prefer to wear dresses. This qualitative research examines 20 of these books, published between 1972 and 2014. We analyze the themes and messages found in these books, paying particular attention to how the portrayals have changed over time. Research findings focus on historical shifts in the ways that gender non-conformity is depicted, the role that parents and peers play in these books, and how the books frame gender non-conformity as a problem that needs to be resolved.
Recommended Citation
Malcom, Nancy L., Nicole Sheahan.
2018.
"From William’s Doll to Jacob’s New Dress: The Depiction of Gender Non-Conforming Boys in Children’s Picture Books From 1972 to 2014."
Journal of Homosexuality, 66 (7): 914-936: Taylor & Francis (Routledge).
doi: 10.1080/00918369.2018.1484635 source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00918369.2018.1484635
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/soc-anth-facpubs/57
Comments
Copyright and Open Access: http://sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/0091-8369/