Analysis of Gender Bias in Two Arabic Language Textbooks - Grade 1

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the presence/absence of gender bias in the first-grade Arabic language school textbooks used at public schools in the Sultanate of Oman. Content analysis is used to analyze the following four categories: gender illustrations, gender roles, gender firstness, gender nouns, and gender names. In general, the study results have shown that gender bias against females is still ingrained in the first-grade Arabic language textbooks. The results have indicated that first-grade school textbook did not exhibit a balanced representation of gender in terms of gender illustrations, gender roles, gender firstness, and gender nouns. In addition, male gender roles were traditional and varied whereas female gender roles were traditional. The only category that exhibited a balanced gender representation of males and females was gender nouns. In the light of these results, some recommendations have been made.