Children can form these kinds of biases from many sources.
Our study of imageryin childrens science books reveals that women are significantly underrepresented.
In the physical sciences in particular, the pictures frequently fail to communicate womens technical skills or knowledge.
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Developmental theories explain that children learngender expectationsto help them to respond appropriately within their social environment.
This encourages them to conform to prevailing gender career stereotypes.
Our research analyzed the childrens science picture books in two public libraries in England.
Then we did a detailed visual analysis of two scientific professions: astronauts and doctors.
The under-representation of females only worsened as the target age of the book increased.
For example, one childrens book about space exploration shows whats involved in a spacewalk.
The use ofmale pronounssuggests the person inside the spacesuits is male.
Girls are influenced by their image of scientists.
Thequalifications and experience requiredto get astronauts to this point are extensive.
Places on NASAs Astronaut training programe are highly competitive with thousands of applications each year.
But in the book, the womans training, expertise and knowledge are not mentioned.
Instead, the picture caption reads: In zero G, every day is a bad hair day.
Comments like this that focus on womens looks fail totake their contributions seriously.
Our study also found important differences between subject disciplines.
A multi-billion pound advertising industry disagrees with you.
Advertising rarely provides detailed arguments for products or services but this doesnt make its messages less powerful.
Women need to be present in childrens science books to demonstrate that all science subjects are fulfilling for girls.
As such, its vital that imagery in childrens books is given greater consideration.
Book editors and illustrators need to make significant efforts to represent women as qualified, skillful and technically able.
Parents, teachers and librarians along with authors, illustrators and publishers should review their books for gendered messages.
Question what the images are teaching children and ask what career aspirations the books might be igniting or quashing.
