Date of Award
2-24-2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
First Advisor
Lynne Chalmers
Abstract
Literature plays an important role in the social development of children by encouraging them to become responsive to the feelings of others and encouraging positive attitudes toward individuals with mental retardation. Responsive, positive attitudes toward people with mental retardation can be developed vicariously through well-chosen children's literature. Because of the inclusion of children with mental retardation into the general education classroom and an increased awareness of the importance of recognizing the diversity among us, more books that foster an understanding of people with mental retardation and emphasize each person as a unique individual are needed. The researcher analyzed the portrayal of main or supporting characters with mental retardation in selected contemporary children's literature to determine what messages or attitudes are being transferred and whether the characterizations encourage understanding or reinforce stereotypes regarding people with mental retardation. Using a content analysis methodology, the researcher analyzed contemporary children's literature, from 1980 through 2002, for children ages preschool through the 12th grade. The sample population consisted of 42 portrayals of characters with varying degrees of mental retardation in 40 books. The books in this research were found to present and reinforce prejudicial and stereotypical images of characters with mental retardation nearly as frequently as they encouraged understanding by accurately and respectfully portraying well-adjusted, productive individuals who have mental retardation. The stereotype most frequently presented, and thus reinforced, was that of the dependent, burdensome, and non-participating individual. Although many books presented positive and non-discriminatory language, nearly as many presented other characters using negative and dehumanizing jargon, slang, and labels, as well as outdated and less respectful terminology to refer to individuals with mental retardation. Educators, librarians, and parents need to become aware of handicapist language, stereotypes, and prejudices that exist in literature so that they might better evaluate and select those books that promote understanding and appreciation of all people.
Recommended Citation
Marsh, Linda Noel Blackston, "The portrayal of people with mental retardation in contemporary children's literature." (2003). Theses and Dissertations. 7872.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/7872