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Children's constructions of gender: A participatory project
Studies on the construction of gender have largely focussed on adolescents and young adults in South Africa. This leaves a significant gap in understanding the ways in which gender is constructed and negotiated by younger children. This study, therefore, investigated how younger children narrate and...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Psychology
2020
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| _version_ | 1867613217602142208 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mohana, Malini |
| author2 | Boonzaier, Floretta |
| author_browse | Boonzaier, Floretta Mohana, Malini |
| author_facet | Boonzaier, Floretta Mohana, Malini |
| author_sort | Mohana, Malini |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Studies on the construction of gender have largely focussed on adolescents and young adults in South Africa. This leaves a significant gap in understanding the ways in which gender is constructed and negotiated by younger children. This study, therefore, investigated how younger children narrate and experience their gendered lives, and whether these stories resisted or maintained dominant narratives of gender. Twelve participants between the ages of eight and fourteen participated. The research used participatory action research (PAR) methods. Specifically, Photovoice, journaling, collages and drawing were used to represent the stories and narratives that the participants chose to share. The Photovoice component culminated in a community exhibition which showcased the participants’ photos. In addition, the participants took part in focus groups and individual interviews. The focus group transcripts, individual interview transcripts, collages, photographs, drawings and journal entries were analysed using thematic narrative analysis. The study showed that children construct gender based on contradictory messaging, and exercise defiance of normative gendered constructs within the limits of heteronormative gender identity. Four main narrative themes emerged: Negotiating gendered expression; Normalisation of gendered violence; Subjugating female bodies; Narratives of conformity and resistance. Based on the findings, the recommendation was made to use play as both a means of exploration and education in children’s understanding of gender. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/30910 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:32:38.580Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2020 |
| publishDateRange | 2020 |
| publishDateSort | 2020 |
| publisher | Department of Psychology |
| publisherStr | Department of Psychology |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/30910 Children's constructions of gender: A participatory project Mohana, Malini Boonzaier, Floretta children gender Photovoice gender development Studies on the construction of gender have largely focussed on adolescents and young adults in South Africa. This leaves a significant gap in understanding the ways in which gender is constructed and negotiated by younger children. This study, therefore, investigated how younger children narrate and experience their gendered lives, and whether these stories resisted or maintained dominant narratives of gender. Twelve participants between the ages of eight and fourteen participated. The research used participatory action research (PAR) methods. Specifically, Photovoice, journaling, collages and drawing were used to represent the stories and narratives that the participants chose to share. The Photovoice component culminated in a community exhibition which showcased the participants’ photos. In addition, the participants took part in focus groups and individual interviews. The focus group transcripts, individual interview transcripts, collages, photographs, drawings and journal entries were analysed using thematic narrative analysis. The study showed that children construct gender based on contradictory messaging, and exercise defiance of normative gendered constructs within the limits of heteronormative gender identity. Four main narrative themes emerged: Negotiating gendered expression; Normalisation of gendered violence; Subjugating female bodies; Narratives of conformity and resistance. Based on the findings, the recommendation was made to use play as both a means of exploration and education in children’s understanding of gender. 2020-02-07T10:45:08Z 2020-02-07T10:45:08Z 2019 2020-01-24T10:59:47Z Master Thesis Masters MA http://hdl.handle.net/11427/30910 eng application/pdf Department of Psychology Faculty of Humanities |
| spellingShingle | children gender Photovoice gender development Mohana, Malini Children's constructions of gender: A participatory project |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Children's constructions of gender: A participatory project |
| title_full | Children's constructions of gender: A participatory project |
| title_fullStr | Children's constructions of gender: A participatory project |
| title_full_unstemmed | Children's constructions of gender: A participatory project |
| title_short | Children's constructions of gender: A participatory project |
| title_sort | children s constructions of gender a participatory project |
| topic | children gender Photovoice gender development |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/30910 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mohanamalini childrensconstructionsofgenderaparticipatoryproject |