Brief description of the issue

In many areas of the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region, books are difficult to access. Acess to books that promote gender equal relationships are a lot more difficult to get access to. Before being able to read for themselves, children look at images, who very often convey gender stereotypes, that are presented in books they encounter at home, at daycare, or elsewhere. Books are an ideal medium to support the process of gender identification and the learning of gender roles. Thus, it is important that children have access to books where, for instance, boys express their emotions and have secondary roles, and where girls are active, courageous and hold main roles. The vast majority of traditional children’s books and stories keep women in the private sphere (caring for children and the household, passivity) and men in the public sphere (work, transportation, outdoor work). In addition, the stories presented almost always feature heterosexual characters; with very little room for same-sex or transgender families. Finally, books should free children from preconceived ideas and reductive roles that may be associated with them, as well as encourage reflection, the development of critical thinking, openness, and tolerance.