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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Gender representation in children's literature: limits and potential in Stephen Alumenda's 'Marita goes to school' and 'Marita's great idea', and Jairos Kangira's 'The bundle of firewood'
Author:Chitando, AnnaISNI
Year:2016
Periodical:Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (ISSN 2026-7215)
Volume:5
Issue:2
Pages:87-97
Language:English
Geographic term:Zimbabwe
Subjects:youth literature
gender roles
girls
women's education
Abstract:Different societies across the globe usually contrast masculinity with femininity. Men are often portrayed in more positive terms that include being strong, achievers and providers, while women are depicted as the opposite. Such masculinities have emerged to be frameworks within which literary texts can be critiqued. In this article, the author employs hegemonic and subordinate masculinities to argue that children's stories can be utilised to transform unequal gender relations. She explores how Stephen Alumenda and Jairos Kangira respond to gender issues in children's literature in Zimbabwe. The first section is a brief introduction that unpacks the concept of children's literature and places the discussion of gender representation in children's literature within the context of African literature. In the second segment, the author outlines how Alumenda endeavours to promote the education of the girl child. The third part highlights how this theme is advanced by Jairos Kangira, another author of children's books. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
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