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WA academic claims classic children’s books could be ‘detrimental’
Dr Helen Adam, a woke researcher from Edith Cowan University’s School of Education, has recommended parents and teachers stop reading their children classic story books because they could be ‘detrimental’ to gender identity.
The West Australian academic is upset that the timeless books “fail to showcase diverse characters”.
“Purely and simply this research shows, there’s a lack of representation of boys and girls in non-traditional gender roles in these books - this can contribute to children from these families and backgrounds feeling excluded or marginalised,” she said, according to a statement from the university.
Dr Adam’s research looked into eight long daycare centres in Australia and the US – and found that 90 per cent of the books read weren’t inclusive.
She explained that most books used were “older” and had been “first published in the 1950s or 60s, when society’s views on these topics were very different to today” – with classics such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Hairy Maclary, Wombat Stew, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, and Where the Wild Thing Are flagged for “reflecting outdated viewpoints and lifestyles”.
Dr Adam would rather teachers expose children to newer books that indoctrinate kids by using “diverse characters and storylines.”
“The majority of the books shared by educators in this study promoted traditional, binary and stereotypical viewpoints of gender and gender roles,” the study stated.
“These findings are concerning as the evidence shows that gender development is a critical part of the earliest and most important learning experience of young children.”
Binary spokeswoman, Kirralie Smith, said parents should use the list as books to read to their children.
“These classic books are fun and educational. They are classics because of the positive character development, life lessons and beautiful illustrations they contain,” she said.
“Parents and teachers should steer clear of any advice given by woke, out-of-touch academics imposing adult sexual concepts onto children.”
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