Gender Representation in English Textbooks: A Quantitative and Qualitative Content Analysis

Author(s) : Zarina Qasim, Muhammad Riaz & Asifa Qasim

Abstract:

This study aims at investigating representation of gender in English Textbooks used at Secondary Level in Punjab. Content Analysis is chosen as method of data analysis. The data is collected and interpreted through quantitative and qualitative approaches. Categories of content analysis such as gender visibility, occupational roles, gender marked language, generic man, generic he, titles, firstness and gender attributes are set in the light of Framework of National Council of Teachers of English (2002) and Porecca’s Framework (1984) to analyze various aspects of gender representation in two English textbooks. The analysis of the textbooks has revealed that female characters are suffering from underrepresentation with respect to socially marked gender items and gender marked linguistic items.

Keywords: Gender, English text book, representation