ERIC Number: EJ1210600
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2000-4508
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Pedagogues' Constructions of Gender Equality in Selected Swedish Preschools: A Qualitative Study
Edström, Charlotta
Education Inquiry, v5 n4 Article 24618 p535-559 2014
This is a small-scale qualitative study of gender equality discourses as constructed and employed by pedagogues in three Swedish preschools. The aim of the study is to describe and analyse the preschool pedagogues' constructions of work on children's gender equality, while also examining local variations and the influence of societal discourses and structures on the more localised discourses used in the particular preschool settings. The goal is to highlight how the pedagogues, through statements and discussions in interviews and documents, construct and position themselves and the children in relation to different discourses and current norms. The study is based on interviews with nine pedagogues from three preschools and an analysis of documentation from these preschools. The pedagogues' constructions of gender equality in interviews and documents mainly relate to preschool pedagogy, although there is also some consideration of the future labour market. The pedagogues position themselves as 'lead characters', and children as 'recipients' or as 'girls' and 'boys' who are to be treated either as unique individuals or as two uniform opposing groups. Gender-equal girls are positioned as strong(er), brave(r) and (more) independent, whilst gender-equal boys as (more) socially and linguistically competent. Although there are some differences between the preschools, in line with heteronormative masculinity the primary focus is on 'redoing' the girls, especially traditional 'girly' girls.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Gender Bias, Preschool Education, Teaching Methods, Sex Fairness, Equal Education, Social Bias, Social Justice, Masculinity, Preschool Children, Educational Practices, Gender Issues
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sweden
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A