Register Journal
Vol 13, No 1 (2020): REGISTER JOURNAL

Examining Gender Representation in an Indonesian EFL Textbook

Zango Anisa Agni (Sebelas Maret University)
Endang Setyaningsih (Sebelas Maret University)
Teguh Sarosa (Sebelas Maret University)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 May 2020

Abstract

Considering its influential role in students’ behavior and attitudes, a textbook has to reflect balanced images and information about males and females. It also has to support broad choices and many roles for both sexes to avoid unjust or bias gender issues. This study aimed at examining whether an EFL textbook published by the Indonesian government promotes gender equity by (1) mapping the proportion of textual and visual representation of males and females in the textbook; (2) describing how males and females are treated in the textbook. Through content analysis, the study revealed that the book is gender-biased as indicated from unbalanced (1) textual and visual representation (2) variety of activity, role, and occupation, (3) order of mention, and (4) adjectival portrayal. In all indicators, the female is underrepresented, hidden, and framed within traditional gender stereotyping.  Reflecting on these findings, revision by the government and/ or careful treatment by teachers when using the book are ushered.  Keywords: bias, content analysis, gender representation, gender stereotype, textbook.

Copyrights © 2020






Journal Info

Abbrev

register

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

The name of REGISTER JOURNAL was taken from the concept of REGISTER and it has clearly been described by Trudgill (1983:101) as follows: Linguistic varieties that are linked ... to occupations, professions or topics have been termed registers. The register of law, for example, is different from ...