SEXUALITY, CLASS AND FAMILY IN CHILDREN’S SHORT STORIES AFTER EDSA II

Abstract

This study examines how nine children’s stories which won awards in the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in the English category portray and shape children’s view of themselves, their peers, family, community and the world. Using Marxism, Gender, Race and Ethnic Studies as its theoretical framework, the study reveals that the stories underscore the differences in gender roles, institutionalize the school and community as sites for learning and hegemony, contextualize decision making and ethnic identity and expose the vulnerability of women and children as reserved labor force. Furthermore, the child heroes are active participants in their respective social circles and are often enjoined to carry out adult responsibilities such as taking care of a sibling and saving a community. This paper concludes that children’s literature, specifically stories, have powerful influences in shaping the child’s conceptions of his or her sexuality, class consciousness and multiple roles as member of the family, community, and the state.Keywords: Children’s literature, family, gender roles, Post-Edsa II, sexualityCite as: Majul, M.A.M. (2017). Sexuality, class and family in children’s short stories after Edsa II. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 2(2), 15-28.