“But The Five Chinese Brothers Is One of My Favorite Books!” Conducting Sociopolitical Critiques of Children’s Literature with Preservice Teachers.
Abstract
Part of a special section on controversial books. A study examined why preservice teachers exhibit such resistance, hostility, and denial when given opportunities to conduct sociopolitical critiques of children's literature. Data were obtained from six white preservice teachers enrolled in a children's literature course who responded to books containing blatant racial stereotypes. Findings revealed that the underlying ideologies that underpinned students' behaviors and ways of thinking were cynicism and the perception that children did not notice “such things” indicating that students themselves did not notice such things; that students were reluctant to do critical self-reflection in regard to racial issues; and that positive feelings toward a book inhibited critical examination of it. The findings from the study are explored using a variety of theoretical models.
Reference
McNair, J. C. (2003). But The Five Chinese Brothers is one of my favorite books!": Conducting sociopolitical critiques of children's literature with preservice teachers. Journal of Children’s Literature, 29(1), 46-54.
Journal
Journal of Children’s Literature
Analysis
Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?
no
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
Geographic Setting
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
- Children's Literature Course
Preservice Participants
Preservice Sample Size
6
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Survey
- Written reflections
Data Analysis Tools
- coding (non-specific)
- Qualitative Analysis
Researcher Positionality
- Inside (preservice/inservice teacher studying their own practice)
Research Questions
How do preservice teachers understand the "controversial 'insider/outsider' debate, which revolves around the question of whether a person who is outside of a particular racial or ethnic group can write accurately and authentically about the experiences of people who are within the group?"
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Combination