Numbers Are Not Enough: Critical Examination of Race, Class, Gender, Sexuality, and Ability in Elementary and Middle School Health Textbooks

• In Event: 16.057 - Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: 16.057-8 - Gender and Critical Education

Abstract

Critical educators argue that representations of various issues and groups in textbooks can greatly influence students’ views of themselves and the world. Yet, little is known about the depiction of marginalized groups in health textbooks. Employing critical multiculturalist and feminist perspectives, we ask: How do 1st-8th grade health textbooks depict race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and ability? We conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses of 1522 images in a cross section of textbooks and found that numerically, females and people of color were represented in accord with current U.S. demographics, while LGBT individuals were completely absent. Some might argue that achieving parity with national demographics should be equated with social justice. However, we argue that numbers are necessary, but not sufficient.

Authors

• Sherry Lynn Deckman, Lehman College

• Ellie Fitts Fulmer, Ithaca College

• Katharine Hoover

• Keely Kirby, Ithaca College