Spänningssökande flickor och känsliga pojkar : en kvalitativ textanalys av kön(sroller) och sexualitet i barnlitteratur

Sammanfattning: In this bachelor thesis, we have analyzed gender, gender roles and sexuality in children’s literature. We have used five of the most read children’s books from the city library in Lund, of the age category six to nine, to do a qualitative literary analysis. By using the theoretical concept of gender and sexuality and by being inspired by Nikolajeva, a professor in children’s literature, we have throughout this analysis discovered that gender roles still exist in current children’s literature. However, we did find that the boundaries between sexes are getting vaguer, which indicates a change in gender roles. For instance, in children’s books published in 2016 the young girls could be thrill-seeking and strong, while boys could be sensitive and careful. This spoke against our theoretical explanation of the expectations of these roles. Furthermore, when analyzing our material sexuality was almost completely absent, but the absent of it will be discussed.