Constructing the literate child: an analysis of Swedish literature policy

Abstract

This article examines Swedish literature policies since the 1970s and the construction of the literate child as expressed in policy texts. Literacy has in the past few decades, in Sweden as well as in other countries, been linked to economic growth and citizenship. In these political processes, some reading practices are considered beneficial and others less beneficial or even harmful. Using Carol Bacchi's policy analysis, this study reveals an increased interest in children's reading practices. There has been a movement in the argumentation from identifying the lack of access to high-quality literature to emphasising lack of reading ability as the main problem. Also noticeable is that the responsibility of educating children about the virtues of reading is placed on parents in the later policy texts, whereas institutions such as school and libraries are defined as the sole reading educators in earlier policies. The results presented in this study shed light on the changing conditions for library work.