Intersections of Gender, Race, and Class in Introductory Textbooks

Abstract

We update Ferree and Hall’s (1996) examination of the stratification systems of gender, race, and class in introductory textbooks. Using a sample of textbooks from 2003 through 2010, we explore 24 introductory sociology textbooks to determine the relationship between categories of gender, race, and class and levels of analysis. Previous research found that textbooks primarily discuss gender at the micro level, race at the meso level, and class at the macro level. Replicating previous approaches by using index citations, we find evidence that gender is linked to socialization much more than race and class, and there is evidence that class is still more likely to be discussed at a macro level. Our content analysis findings show a similar pattern, but also some evidence for the increased inclusion of theories and examples that examine gender, race, and class at multiple levels of analysis. Implications of these findings are discussed.