「ジェンダー形成」の質的実証研究に向けて : 幼児期における「子ども文化」アプローチの有効性

The purpose of this article is to examine the availability of the "children\u27s culture" approach for qualitative research on children\u27s gender identity formation. This article focuses on the children\u27s "construction" of gender dichotomy. Traditional research on children\u27s gender identity formation was conducted from the "socialization" view. Recently, several studies have been conducted on the "construction" view. In this view, children both learn and construct the gender dichotomy. Cultural approach will be useful for this view. Children\u27s culture has two definitions : "art and literature for children" and "customs and the way of behavior that a particular group of children has." For qualitative research of young children, the latter definition will be also important. The findings of my recent observational research of preschool children (conducted during 2000-2001) reveal that preschool children can construct gender dichotomy by themselves, negotiating with social agents (family, mass media, etc.). They separate into gender-oriented group and rarely cross the gender border ; they refer to the idea of gender dichotomy ; and they can take the information about gender dichotomy from the social agents. These are discussed in terms of the conflicts of various values and agents for gender identity formation. Finally, the availability of cultural approach is discussed