In the children’s book, Jamaica and Brianna, Jamaica’s parents give her a pair of boots that used to be her brother’s. Jamaica does not like the boots because they are “boy boots”, and although her parents try to explain to her that they are “unisex boots, for boys or girls”, Jamaica still dislikes them and tries to destroy them so that she can get a different pair of boots. With this exchange, this story highlights how young children perceive gender early on and ascribe it to clothing just as society does. In lecture (Gathman, 9/8), we discussed how children are pressured to adhere to gender roles even before they are born. For example, when the genitals of the fetus are discovered, it is automatically given a gender. Parents buy pink or blue,
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She picks out a pair of cowboy boots to her mother’s surprise as she asks “Aren’t those boy boots?” Jamaica insists that they are for boys or girls. She decides to wear them to school, but when Brianna comments on how cowboy boots aren’t “in”. Jamaica now feels insecure about her boots and isn’t looking forward to wearing them because Brianna doesn’t like them. There are two stereotypes that were demonstrated in this portion of the story. First, Jamaica’s mother questioning Jamaica’s choice of leather boots because they are “boy boots”. According to a sociologist named Kate Averret, “Parents remain central to the process of gender socialization because they control their children’s exposure to cultural discourses about gender, especially in early childhood.” (Averett, p. 191) Parents can control this exposure by pressuring their children to adhere to gender expectations through questions or suggestions, as to subconsciously let their child know how they “should” dress without necessarily enforcing it. Another stereotype featured in this portion was the act of women judging of other women, especially regarding their appearance. Cisnormativity encourages that women should look a certain way (Gathman, 9/8), and that women who do not keep an attractive appearance should be judged negatively by other women. This is seen as a “feminine” trait and is one of the reasons why …show more content…
In the end of the story, however, the girls talk and Brianna admits to really liking Jamaica’s boots and Jamaica admits to having wanted Brianna’s boots. This story is useful in that it features young girls of color, who are often not represented. “Reading […] becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books” (Bishop, p. 1) which is why this example of representation is essential. The story also teaches children to be independent thinkers and take pride in what they like, regardless of others’ judgements. It also teaches honesty and support in the end, after showing how dishonesty and unkind words can make someone feel. A problem that exists in the text, however, is that it strictly speaks of a gender binary when referring to clothing, as the mother did not say “they are just boots, they are for everyone” but specifically said “they are unisex boots. They are for boys or girls”. The story would have been much better in terms of socializing children if the wording were changed to be more inclusive. But, generally speaking, this story can be beneficial to young children, especially young afabs and girls of
She picks out a pair of cowboy boots to her mother’s surprise as she asks “Aren’t those boy boots?” Jamaica insists that they are for boys or girls. She decides to wear them to school, but when Brianna comments on how cowboy boots aren’t “in”. Jamaica now feels insecure about her boots and isn’t looking forward to wearing them because Brianna doesn’t like them. There are two stereotypes that were demonstrated in this portion of the story. First, Jamaica’s mother questioning Jamaica’s choice of leather boots because they are “boy boots”. According to a sociologist named Kate Averret, “Parents remain central to the process of gender socialization because they control their children’s exposure to cultural discourses about gender, especially in early childhood.” (Averett, p. 191) Parents can control this exposure by pressuring their children to adhere to gender expectations through questions or suggestions, as to subconsciously let their child know how they “should” dress without necessarily enforcing it. Another stereotype featured in this portion was the act of women judging of other women, especially regarding their appearance. Cisnormativity encourages that women should look a certain way (Gathman, 9/8), and that women who do not keep an attractive appearance should be judged negatively by other women. This is seen as a “feminine” trait and is one of the reasons why …show more content…
In the end of the story, however, the girls talk and Brianna admits to really liking Jamaica’s boots and Jamaica admits to having wanted Brianna’s boots. This story is useful in that it features young girls of color, who are often not represented. “Reading […] becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books” (Bishop, p. 1) which is why this example of representation is essential. The story also teaches children to be independent thinkers and take pride in what they like, regardless of others’ judgements. It also teaches honesty and support in the end, after showing how dishonesty and unkind words can make someone feel. A problem that exists in the text, however, is that it strictly speaks of a gender binary when referring to clothing, as the mother did not say “they are just boots, they are for everyone” but specifically said “they are unisex boots. They are for boys or girls”. The story would have been much better in terms of socializing children if the wording were changed to be more inclusive. But, generally speaking, this story can be beneficial to young children, especially young afabs and girls of