earticle

영어

This study analyzes English picture books for ways adult authority and control over children are portrayed in their texts. It is argued that as in any other texts, children’s literature, such as the picture book is filled with ideological messages. In the case of children’s literature the messages are created by adults intending for children. Recent theories of childhood studies argue that adult understanding of children has been very limited. Adults tend to view children as incompetent and passive beings in need of protection. Children’s rights to participate in the decision making of their own affairs are denied by adult authority and power. As a result, the majority of the messages dispensed through texts for children are intended to instruct them in the right way of growing up in the light of the adult. Issues with control are inevitable in such texts. Two picture books analyzed show authority and control immersed in seemingly happy stories for 6 and 7 year olds. Another picture book, however, reveals a different attitude. It acknowledges adults’ claims of being in the know and their attempts to control children, and invites children to participate. The story recognizes children as functioning human beings and empowers them in the course, instead of belittling them for their biological immaturity. It also implies the possibility of a better adult-child relationship, one based on mutual appreciation.