Inspired by conversations with Shanna Parry and her ongoing research into how curriculum, history, and storytelling have contributed to the erasure of women and the reinforcement of inequality. “Her Hidden History”
The stories we share with children are never just stories. They carry values, norms, and assumptions, sometimes obvious, often hidden, including gender bias. One of the most profound yet overlooked ways inequality takes root is through the books children read and the characters they come to know as heroes, caretakers, or afterthoughts. Long before children can critically assess the world around them, stories have already begun shaping their understanding of gender, identity, power, and possibility.
This article explores the challenges and tragedies associated with gender bias in global children’s literature. It is inspired by many conversations with Shanna Parry, whose thoughtful analysis of curriculum, gender representation, and historical omission continues to deepen my understanding of these issues. Her work has illuminated how story selection, curricular design, and historical framing often obscure or distort the presence and contributions of women, reinforcing outdated norms and limiting future possibilities.
The following eight points are inspired by some of the many ideas shared by Shanna. They reflect research, observation, and common texts, and they demonstrate how early gender bias is introduced, perpetuated, and, importantly, how it can be challenged.
1. Unequal Representation Begins Early
Across global contexts, female characters are underrepresented in children’s books. Even in stories meant to educate and entertain young children, male characters dominate both human and non-human roles, shaping early gender perceptions.
📚 Example: The Cat in the Hat – While the book features a boy and a girl, the boy narrates and takes the active role. The Cat is also male, reinforcing the tendency for males to lead while females are sidelined.
2. Stereotypes Are Deeply Embedded
When female characters do appear, they are frequently portrayed in traditional, limiting roles, passive, domestic, or secondary. These characterisations reinforce outdated notions of what girls and women can or should be.
📚 Example: Cinderella – Cinderella’s kindness and beauty are rewarded only after enduring servitude. Her ultimate success hinges on marrying a prince, sending a message that femininity equals patience, beauty, and silence.
3. Bias Is Global, Not Isolated
This is not a problem unique to one country. Studies from the U.S., Spain, China, the Czech Republic, and Malaysia reveal similar patterns of bias, indicating a widespread, cross-cultural problem in how gender is represented to children.
📚 Example: Mulan (original Chinese tale) – Although Mulan shows bravery and intelligence, she must disguise herself as a man to be accepted as a soldier. This reinforces the idea that leadership and courage are inherently male traits, even in non-Western contexts.
4. Educators Often Miss the Bias
Teachers, often unintentionally, select and use books that contain gender bias, focusing more on curriculum alignment or moral messages than on the deeper implications of gender representation. This passivity perpetuates the problem in classroom practice.
📚 Example: Curious George – Frequently used in classrooms for its simplicity and humour, the book consistently features male leads with very few, if any, named or active female characters. Its biases are rarely questioned in educational settings.
5. Children Notice the Inequality
While adults may overlook stereotypes, children are perceptive. Some express frustration with the exclusion of female characters or the rigid roles assigned to them, demonstrating a readiness to challenge the norms they’re being taught.
📚 Example: The Little Mermaid (Disney version) – Many children question why Ariel gives up her voice for love. Their discomfort shows that they are not passive recipients of messages. They are ready to challenge them when given space to reflect.
6. Intersectionality Is Ignored
Most research focuses only on binary gender stereotypes and fails to consider how race, class, and privilege intersect with gender. This narrow lens further limits understanding of how multiple identities affect representation and reception.
📚 Example: Goldilocks and the Three Bears – Goldilocks, a white, blonde girl, breaks into a family’s home without consequences. The story never addresses race, privilege, or class. These intersections remain invisible in most retellings and discussions.
7. The Long-Term Impact Is Understudied
We know stereotypes exist, but little research explores how prolonged exposure to these biased narratives affects children’s identity formation, social beliefs, and future aspirations. The deeper psychological consequences remain largely unexamined.
📚 Example: Sleeping Beauty – A princess who is passive, unconscious, and eventually rescued by a man becomes a symbol of rewarded femininity. The ongoing impact of such repeated narratives on children’s self-perception is rarely investigated.
8. A Call for Empowered Educators
Without critical awareness and intentional change, educators risk reinforcing inequities. The research highlights the urgent need for teacher training and support to actively counter gender bias in classroom literature selections.
📚 Example: The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch – A rare reversal of the princess trope. Elizabeth defeats the dragon and refuses to marry the ungrateful prince. When educators choose stories like this intentionally, they model critical engagement and equity.
From Storytellers to Changemakers
We must not underestimate the power of the stories we place in children’s hands. Every page offers not just a character, but a vision of the world and a cue for who matters within it. When girls and women are absent, passive, or reduced to stereotypes, children absorb more than fiction. They absorb a framework for inequality.
This article has been shaped by ongoing dialogue and reflection sparked by Shanna Parry’s research and writing. Her work raises urgent questions about who gets remembered, who is written into the narrative, and who is left behind. These questions extend beyond history books and into the very first stories a child hears.
Educators and parents alike are not just story-sharers, they are story-shapers. If we want to raise a generation that believes in fairness, equity, and the full spectrum of human potential, we must offer stories that reflect that vision. We must be intentional, not passive, about what sits on our bookshelves and who it allows children to become.
Learn more through Her Hidden History: An Instagram page “dedicated to those women who have been marginalised and/or erased from history. Here is your voice. Here is your story.”
********************************************************
Explore Our Expert Insights
If you want to learn more about the steps required to set up a school, explore these essential resources: ✅ Steps to Setting Up a New School ✅ 10 Steps and Articles on How to Set Up a New School ✅ GSE International School Franchise Models
Why Choose GSE?
GSE provides specialist services for all types of educational institutions, including: ✔ International Schools ✔ Kindergartens & Early Learning Centres ✔ Vocational Colleges ✔ Universities & Higher Education Institutions ✔ Online & Virtual Schools
Global Expertise & Presence
GSE has successfully operated schools and education projects across the globe, including: 🌍 Asia-Pacific: India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, East Timor, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Indonesia, Australia, Japan 🌍 Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia (KSA), UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya 🌍 North America: USA
Meet Our CEO & Education Expert
Greg Parry – International School Leadership Authority
Greg Parry is a renowned global expert in education leadership, having led projects in Australia, the Middle East, the United States, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and China. His accolades include: 🏆 Minister’s Award for Excellence in School Leadership 🏆 School of Excellence Award for Industry/School Partnerships 🏆 School of Excellence Award for Technology Innovation 🏆 Recognised for Best Global Brand in International Education (2015 & 2016)
With a strong track record in school start-up projects, leadership training, and curriculum development, Greg is a trusted authority in building and managing high-performing international schools.
📩 Contact Greg Parry Directly [Contact Link]
GSE’s Comprehensive School and University Development Services
GSE offers end-to-end solutions tailored for new and existing schools, covering: ✔ School Management & Operations ✔ Strategic Planning & Feasibility Studies ✔ Architectural & Interior Conceptual Design ✔ School Resources & ICT Planning ✔ Marketing, Branding & Admissions ✔ Staffing, Recruitment & Training ✔ Curriculum Design & Accreditation Support ✔ School Audits & Action Plans
Let’s Build a World-Class School Together!
💡 Ready to start or improve your school? Visit www.gsineducation.com to explore how we can help you achieve excellence in international education.
📢 Follow Us for More Insights: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Recent Comments