Isto já não é mais um conto de fadas: estereótipos femininos na literatura infantil

Abstract

This research is linked to the Group of Studies and Research on Education, Women and Gender Relations (GEMGE) and aims to analyze the gender identities presented in traditional and current children's literature, as well as the possible changes regarding the female stereotypes presented, using as femininities category. It presents as specific objectives: To highlight the founding landmarks of Children's Literature in the West, in Brazil and in Maranhão; to highlight the historical construction of gender relations and femininities, and the discussion about gender for people and for “things”; establish the relationship between gender and Children's Literature from academic productions on the subject; to compare the characteristics of the feminine and the possible stereotypes presented in the traditional and current children's literature; and, to give visibility to actions related to oppression, submission and the devaluation of the female figure present in children's literature. With a qualitative approach and bibliographic nature, the research made use of online children's books, which are provided as literature and used in the classroom with students from schools in the municipality of Davinópolis (MA), through portals " Read to a child” and “Tell me”. The study has theoretical support in: Butler (2003), Beauvoir (1970) (1980), Louro (2003; 1997; 1999). Regarding gender issues, we dialogue with Cademartori (1987; 2010), Coelho (1982; 1991) and Zilberman (2005). About the history of literature, we talked to Lajolo and Zilberman (2007), Cadermatori (1987; 2010) and Coelho (2000; 2012). The work was structured in four sections: the first section brings the introduction with the elements that compose it in a dissertation work. Then, in the second section, entitled "Children's Literature and its origins", we present a brief history of children's literature in the international, national and local scenario, highlighting the founding milestones of this literary modality in the West, Brazil and Maranhão. In the third section, called “Gender, a historical and cultural construction”, we seek to rescue the historical construction of gender relations and bring the discussion about gender to people and to “things”. Continuing, we intend to understand Femininities throughout history and in different approaches; and, we end by bringing the relationship between gender and Children's Literature from academic productions on the subject. In the fourth section, we record the findings in the research of the chosen sites and the discourse analysis, from the perspective of Pêcheux (2015), and on the stereotypes of female genders, we will base ourselves on Nunes (2009). The studies reveal that in traditional children's literature women are presented in a stereotyped way, they appear only in private environments and are dedicated to marriage and motherhood. children's literature produced by the program "Tell me", since in the analyzed literature of the program "Read for a Child" despite presenting some stereotyped female characters, the stories show the overcoming of these stereotypes, the characters are presented as girls, women, women elderly women who question, who transform, and especially who inspire other women.