Gender pedagogy in Finnish First books published in the 1980s and 2000s

Abstract

ABSTRACT Baby’s first book, provided in Finnish maternity packages since 1982, challenges oppressive gender roles and promotes gender equity (Syrjälä). In a close reading of depictions of gender and gender expectations in five separate series of Finnish “first books” published in the 1980s and 2000s, I concluded that Finnish first books are sensitive toward gender equality for three key reasons. First, mothers and fathers, depicted in the 18 books analyzed, equally attend to caring for the baby. Second, the gender of the infant protagonist in first books is necessarily not revealed. This is in part because the Finnish language does not have gendered personal pronouns. She/he and her/his is dealt with in the nongender terms “hän”/“hänen” in Finnish language. The child is looking at the pictures, how the characters look like, what are their appearances, and thus reading pictures to make a decision, if there is a boy or a girl. Third, the baby eagerly learns new skills and shows emotions. The skills taught by the parents, directly and as role models, break from narrow gender inscriptions. The parents’ and others’ reactions to the range of emotions expressed by the baby are sensible, supportive and empathic. Children´s books are connected to and reflect the “educational climate” of the society.