Changing Gender Biased Content Presented in Chinese Primary School English Textbooks

Tszham Yang

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/2025.LD28169

Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public MediaOpen access

Changing Gender Biased Content Presented in Chinese Primary School English Textbooks

Research Article

Open Access

Changing Gender Biased Content Presented in Chinese Primary School English Textbooks

Tszham Yang ^1*

¹ Shenzhen Nanshan Huitong School

^*Corresponding author: tszhamyang@gmail.com

Published on 23 October 2025

LNEP Vol.128

ISSN (Print): 2753-7056

ISSN (Online): 2753-7048

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-449-6

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-450-2

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Abstract

The issue of gender bias in educational materials has become a significant concern in contemporary scholarship. However, research on gender stereotypes in Chinese primary school English textbooks is still insufficient to address their impact on students and obstacles to reform. This paper critically examines the gender biased content in Chinese primary school English textbooks, with a focus on disproportionate descriptions of family roles and occupations that reinforce traditional gender norms and limit students' future development possibilities. This analysis will also identify the main systemic obstacles to reform, which include fiscal priorities, lengthy revision cycles, regional diversity, and cultural replication. Based on these findings, this article proposes practical measures such as incorporating gender perspectives into the National English Curriculum Standard, considering gender perspectives into school curricula and assessment practices, and emphasizing the importance and flexibility of teachers' instruction in classroom discourse. These measures enable education to move closer to fulfilling its role as a catalyst for equitable opportunities, striving to cultivate more diverse future citizens.

Keywords:

English Textbooks, Gender Bias, Gender Representation, Gender Stereotype, Primary School Education

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References

[1]. Bian, L., Leslie, S.-J., & Cimpian, A. (2017). Gender Stereotypes about Intellectual Ability Emerge Early and Influence Children's Interests. Science, 355(6323), 389-391.

[2]. Xiong, T., He, J., & Li, L. (2017). The Representation of Gender in a Popular Primary School EFL Textbook Series in China. International Journal of Education and Practice, 5(5), 79-87.

[3]. Smart, A., Sinclair, M., Benavot, A., Bernard, J., Chabbott, C., Russell, S. G., & Williams, J. (2020). Learning for Uncertain Futures: The Role of Textbooks, Curriculum, and Pedagogy. Background Paper for the Futures of Education Initiative. UNESCO.

[4]. Lee, J. F. K. (2018a). In the Pursuit of a Gender-Equal Society: Do Japanese EFL Textbooks Play a Role? Journal of Gender Studies.

[5]. Widodo, H. (2018). A Critical Micro-Semiotic Analysis of Values Depicted in the Indonesian Ministry of National Education-Endorsed Secondary School English Textbook. In H. Widodo, M. Perfecto, L. Van-Canh, & A. Buripakdi (Eds.), Situating Moral and Cultural Values in ELT Materials (pp. 131-152). Springer.

[6]. Mesthrie, R. (2006). Society and language: Overview. In K. Brown (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics (2nd ed., pp. 113-122). Elsevier.

[7]. Huang, P., & Liu, X. (2024). Challenging Gender Stereotypes: Representations of Gender through Social Interactions in English Learning Textbooks. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, 819.

[8]. Prosen, M., & Čekada, T. (2025). Nursing Students' Views on Men in Nursing: a Gender Diversity Challenge in the Healthcare Workforce. BMC Nursing, 24(1), 820.

References

[1]. Bian, L., Leslie, S.-J., & Cimpian, A. (2017). Gender Stereotypes about Intellectual Ability Emerge Early and Influence Children's Interests. Science, 355(6323), 389-391.

[2]. Xiong, T., He, J., & Li, L. (2017). The Representation of Gender in a Popular Primary School EFL Textbook Series in China. International Journal of Education and Practice, 5(5), 79-87.

[4]. Lee, J. F. K. (2018a). In the Pursuit of a Gender-Equal Society: Do Japanese EFL Textbooks Play a Role? Journal of Gender Studies.

[6]. Mesthrie, R. (2006). Society and language: Overview. In K. Brown (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics (2nd ed., pp. 113-122). Elsevier.

[8]. Prosen, M., & Čekada, T. (2025). Nursing Students' Views on Men in Nursing: a Gender Diversity Challenge in the Healthcare Workforce. BMC Nursing, 24(1), 820.

Cite this article

Yang,T. (2025). Changing Gender Biased Content Presented in Chinese Primary School English Textbooks. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,128,55-60.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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ISBN: 978-1-80590-449-6(Print) / 978-1-80590-450-2(Online)

Editor: Renuka Thakore

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Conference date: 21 November 2025

Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

Volume number: Vol.128

ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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