Children's books and women

[rebelrosie12]

Hi All, first post on feminism but just wondered your thoughts... I am learning a lot here! Be kind, I am trying my hardest to raise feminist children :)

My husband and I were discussing the large increase of 'women in history' books that have appeared over the last couple of years. Most of the tourist attraction giftshops round near us have a host of women in history, women in science, influential black women in history etc etc on sale which initially i thought was brilliant. Now we have 2 children, one of each sex, and at the moment they basically think men and women are equal (apart from the obvious physical differences). I pondered whether these books would be a positive thing at their age (sub 6) ....Would it highlight the fact that women have been, and still are treated differently, because it would be news to them. They kind of make me as a woman feel like an 'other' somehow?

I 100% know that we need to teach history honestly and to know about the struggles that women have faced is imperative to raise children who stand up for what is right.

So whats the answer? Is there an age when these books are a great idea? Or should we just seek books where there is an even pairing of influential men and women in the same books? Does this exist?

I think the books with just women are a step on the road to books with equal numbers of both, but until those are standard it will help us get there.

I doubt that trying to have an even pairing of men and women would make sense because i suspect that over history there have been far fewer influential/brilliant women because it was just so much harder for women to live up to their full capability.

So books highlighting women, saying that despite the fact that they were not supposed to be educated , that everyone thought they were incapable of amazing things , that they were often despised for being different, despite all that they still managed to do great stuff is part of the story.

If you tried to make even books, There would be too many missing chapters of lives unfulfilled and discoveries still hidden as a result of discrimination.

Given how gender assumptions starts early, I think there is nothing wrong in children seeing great men and great women in different contexts.

As they get older, then you can discuss the reasons and implications . explain how extra amazing the women are

I just read a lot as a kid. I think if you give your children lots of reading material and expose them to different viewpoints it's more likely they'll learn how to make their own decisions and hopefully make intelligent ones rather than rebel against brainwashing.
I read lots of Enid Blyton which is criticised for its classism and racism but did have 2 totally different female characters both of whom were definitely girls. No-one tried pretending George was "really" a boy. The Mallory towers stories were also good for strong female characters. There was then Nancy Drew as a female detective (I liked the character but found the stories weak).
I also loved fairy tales but did find the endless long golden haired princesses who just had to look pretty dull. The Little mermaid where being pretty and dumb just isn't enough was my favourite.

I was raised in a rather odd household. Islamic but soviet. So women who wear short skirts are sluts and it us no surprise that men leer at them but obviously you will be a doctor when you grow up, all the women in our family are doctors. I was then sent to an all girls school. I never really experienced different treatment as a result until I reached adulthood (no sexual assaults etc because I was taught not to put myself at risk in any way conceivable) and no social sexism because there was no one around to tell me that girls couldn't like maths or whatever. Admittedly I was in for a bit c of a shock when I finally realised that men and women were not as equal as I though but at least I have not been conditioned to take shit from any body. I think that there is no harm in letting them believe that men and women are equal for a little while longer. Esiecially your daughter. Often the way we expect to be treated effects the way we are treated. Raise her to expect the world's to give her a fair go so that when it doesn't she knows to stand up for herself.

My children especially my 8 year old are very keen on history books, I have got her some Famous Women type books because I felt it was important that she get a more balanced view than the 'famous men' of history books. She finds them really interesting and has got 'favourite' inspirational women now so I'm pleased. But I will make sure my son has them available to read too!