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Stories of Service: Public Service in the Children's Literature of the United States and Great Britain
Author(s) -
Schwerdt Marc
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
politics and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.259
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1747-1346
pISSN - 1555-5623
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-1346.2003.tb00145.x
Subject(s) - politics , socialization , mass media , formal education , political socialization , public service , service (business) , media studies , gender studies , political science , sociology , social science , public relations , pedagogy , american political science , law , economy , economics
Formal civic education has dominated political socialization research recently as it has looked at the effects of events, schools, mass media, and families on the formation of political attitudes and opinions of children. However, books have been overlooked when considering the possible effect of mass media, and although controversial, children's literature has rarely been investigated systematically as to its political content. After conducting content analyses of 76 books and 1,202 adult characters, I conclude that British adult characters are portrayed as more competent and benevolent than U.S. adult characters. I also find that British public servants are portrayed as more competent and benevolent than other British adult characters.