The representation of physically active girls in children's picture books.
OBJECTIVE
Borrowing from Tuchman's (1978) concept of symbolic annihilation, the purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which physically active females were represented in children's picture books.


METHODS
Employing a qualitative content analysis methodology (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005), the written and pictorial portrayals of girls' physical activities were analyzed in 10 children's picture books. A directed approach to content analysis (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005) was employed in which the researchers began with predetermined categories that were used to code the text and images.


RESULTS
The findings indicated that the majority of the primary female characters were illustrated wearing appropriate athletic attire that would allow for physical movement. Although all of the primary female characters were depicted as excited about being physically active, 6 of the books described the movement of the primary female characters using action-oriented descriptors. The parents of the primary female characters were identified as the primary source of encouragement and peers were found to be the primary source of discouragement toward the primary female characters' physical activity or sport involvement. The physical abilities of the primary female characters were compared to male peers in 3 of the books.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the 10 books studied provide young girls with imagery and text that encourage female physicality, it is apparent that more books are needed that focus on girls' involvement in sport and physical activity. Meaningful forms of literature that encourage physical activity and sport involvement for girls are needed.
Department of Health and Kinesiology, Sam Houston State University, P. O. Box 2176, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA. ear007@shsu.edu
Emily A
EA
Roper
Alexandra M
AM
Clifton
D001877:Books; D002648:Child; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D010379:Peer Group; D010809:Physical Fitness; D063507:Sexism; D013177:Sports