Deconstructing Gender Stereotypes in Children Literature “Chotti Si Munni”: An Application of Feminist Theory

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the research is to explore the significance of Nursery Rhymes within the lives of children and the way they make contribution to the formation of personal identity of children especially in female. The research claims that children's literatures can nurture and unconsciously but in systematic manner, develop the idea of feminism in kids through kid's literature. It is noteworthy that all nursery rhymes have a great impact on the lives of children by portraying characters in the nursery rhyme. The study is an attempt to make connection among children psychology and gender roles in literature. The socio-psychological issues like gender role, gender discrimination, class system is important in it. Methods: The critique adopted the exploratory research framework. The data collected and analyzed for this study was qualitative in its nature and scope. "Chotti si Munni" (A small girl), a Pakistani Nursery Rhyme was taken as sample of study by applying typical and critical case sampling strategy on Pakistani Kid's literature. Results: Findings of the study revealed that the portrayal of the little girl in "Chotti si munni" reflects the gendered expectations and limitations, which are foisted upon young girls in many traditional societies same as Nursery rhyme can be realized as a mirror image of the changing attitudes about gender roles and education in Pakistan. Conclusion: The summative discussions in the light of the findings obtained in this study indicate that challenging gender role and cultural norms in Pakistani society, promoting feminism and equality through kid's literature.