Journal article
The Representation of Physically Active Girls in Children's Picture Books
Research quarterly for exercise and sport, v 84(2), pp 147-156
Jun 2013
PMID: 23930540
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Purpose: Borrowing from Tuchman's (1978) concept of symbolic annihilation, the purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which physically active females were represented in children's picture books. Method: Employing a qualitative content analysis methodology (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005), the written and pictorial portrayals of girls' physical activities were analyzed in 10 children's picture books. A directed approach to content analysis (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005) was employed in which the researchers began with predetermined categories that were used to code the text and images. Results: The findings indicated that the majority of the primary female characters were illustrated wearing appropriate athletic attire that would allow for physical movement. Although all of the primary female characters were depicted as excited about being physically active, 6 of the books described the movement of the primary female characters using action-oriented descriptors. The parents of the primary female characters were identified as the primary source of encouragement and peers were found to be the primary source of discouragement toward the primary female characters' physical activity or sport involvement. The physical abilities of the primary female characters were compared to male peers in 3 of the books. Conclusions: Although the 10 books studied provide young girls with imagery and text that encourage female physicality, it is apparent that more books are needed that focus on girls' involvement in sport and physical activity. Meaningful forms of literature that encourage physical activity and sport involvement for girls are needed.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- The Representation of Physically Active Girls in Children's Picture Books
- Creators
- Emily A. Roper - Sam Houston State UniversityAlexandra M. Clifton - California State University, Fresno
- Publication Details
- Research quarterly for exercise and sport, v 84(2), pp 147-156
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- Number of pages
- 10
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000319568900003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84884318378
- Other Identifier
- 991022004623704721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
- Psychology
- Psychology, Applied
- Sport Sciences