Gender Representation in Color and Text Data of Picture Books

Abstract

This research focuses on picture books, a medium for childhood reading, during which gender stereotypes are formed. The colors of the clothing of characters in picture books and the words they utter reveal characteristics of gender expression. The results showed that gender and age were among the most prominent characteristics in depicting characters in picture books, with red used more frequently for females and less bright shades for males. The proportion of colorful colors was higher among children, and the ratio of achromatic colors increased with age. These results are consistent with previous studies on color images and the evolution of color preferences with age. In the text, it was found that the differences between men and women in the way they perceive things are reflected in the text. These results suggest that picture books may influence the formation of children’s gender images and color preferences.