Is gender-bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities? Evidence from Ethiopian university English language course textbooks
The presence of gender bias in school textbooks is a global educational challenge often associated with the hidden curricula. However, while the problem has been almost entirely attributed to general education systems little empirical data exists when it comes to higher education. The purpose of thi...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2152616 |
| _version_ | 1797725017878822912 |
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| author | Mebratu Bachore Tesfaye Semela |
| author_facet | Mebratu Bachore Tesfaye Semela |
| author_sort | Mebratu Bachore |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The presence of gender bias in school textbooks is a global educational challenge often associated with the hidden curricula. However, while the problem has been almost entirely attributed to general education systems little empirical data exists when it comes to higher education. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to shed light on the uncharted terrain of gender representation in textbooks and learning materials in the higher education context. The study combined quantitative and qualitative content analysis approaches to investigate the magnitude of gender bias. The findings generally show considerable male domination in language use (proper and common nouns and pronouns) and portrayal of actors in prestigious professions like scientists, medical doctors, managers, and top government officials while women are depicted as company employees, school psychologists, and fashion models in pictures and other illustrations used in the textbooks. Finally, the article suggests areas for further research and policy interventions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:25:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f34040d16a6945bf859f15e80f7dcb17 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2331-186X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:25:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-f34040d16a6945bf859f15e80f7dcb172023-09-02T09:49:39ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2022-12-019110.1080/2331186X.2022.2152616Is gender-bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities? Evidence from Ethiopian university English language course textbooksMebratu Bachore0Tesfaye Semela1Department of English Language & Literature, College of Social Science & Humanities, Hawassa University, Hawassa, EthiopiaInstitute of Policy & Development Research and College of Education, Hawassa University, Awasa, EthiopiaThe presence of gender bias in school textbooks is a global educational challenge often associated with the hidden curricula. However, while the problem has been almost entirely attributed to general education systems little empirical data exists when it comes to higher education. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to shed light on the uncharted terrain of gender representation in textbooks and learning materials in the higher education context. The study combined quantitative and qualitative content analysis approaches to investigate the magnitude of gender bias. The findings generally show considerable male domination in language use (proper and common nouns and pronouns) and portrayal of actors in prestigious professions like scientists, medical doctors, managers, and top government officials while women are depicted as company employees, school psychologists, and fashion models in pictures and other illustrations used in the textbooks. Finally, the article suggests areas for further research and policy interventions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2152616Gender balancehidden curriculumhigher educationtextbookEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Mebratu Bachore Tesfaye Semela Is gender-bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities? Evidence from Ethiopian university English language course textbooks Cogent Education Gender balance hidden curriculum higher education textbook Ethiopia |
| title | Is gender-bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities? Evidence from Ethiopian university English language course textbooks |
| title_full | Is gender-bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities? Evidence from Ethiopian university English language course textbooks |
| title_fullStr | Is gender-bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities? Evidence from Ethiopian university English language course textbooks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is gender-bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities? Evidence from Ethiopian university English language course textbooks |
| title_short | Is gender-bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities? Evidence from Ethiopian university English language course textbooks |
| title_sort | is gender bias in textbooks spilled over from schools to universities evidence from ethiopian university english language course textbooks |
| topic | Gender balance hidden curriculum higher education textbook Ethiopia |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2152616 |
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