Using bibliotherapy to help children adjust to changing role models

Abstract

With more mothers working outside the home, the changing role of fathers, and the division of labor shifting within the family system, children today are faced with conflicts concerning their sex-role development. One helpful technique to assist children in adjusting to changing role models is bibliotherapy--the use of children's books to facilitate identification with and exploration of sex-role behavior. A brief outline of the bibliotherapeutic process, techniques for implementing bibliotherapy, and examples of current children's literature dealing with sex-role development will all be discussed.