Gender representation in geography textbooks: The lack of representation of female figures and the reproduction of gender stereotypes

Gender stereotypical portrayals and an underrepresentation of female characters continue to be the reality in various media. This media-mediated gender inequity can have an impact on the identity and personality development of young recipients, who align their assumptions of gender roles and their own ideas about the future with those of media socialization instances. Textbooks, as a politically and socially legitimized medium with an educational and normative mandate, must therefore be examined in particular for the reproduction of gender-stereotypical images. Various national and international studies have already been able to demonstrate a quantitative underrepresentation of female characters as well as the transmission of traditional gender roles in textbook illustrations of different subjects. So far, studies of geography textbooks remain scarce. Thus, this study undertakes a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of seven geography textbooks. In line with previous research findings, the results showed a significantly reduced visibility of female characters as well as entrenchment in gender stereotypes in all textbooks studied, especially in the category of occupation and activity. The findings are framed in terms of previous research and implications for research and practice are discussed.