Gender Issues in the Playground Rhymes of New Zealand Children: 1993-2003 An Analysis of the Gender Issues Embedded Within the Playground Rhymes of New Zealand Children
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Abstract
This research investigated the gender issues embedded within the play-ground rhymes used by New Zealand school children over the last ten years. Comparisons were also made between these present-day rhymes and those from historical collections.
An inductive approach based on grounded theory was used and identified four main classification groupings related to gender:
- gender based stereotypes,
- power within both peer groupings and in relation to authority fig-ures,
- taboo issues including sexual knowledge and references to natural bodily functions and parts,
- life passages, both traditional and modem day.
Close analysis and interpretation of the rhymes revealed key themes. Links were formed between these themes and current social trends and attitudes. The rhymes used by children were shown to contain hidden transcripts that related to culturally constructed gender issues. At the same time this research presents evidence that important traditional elements of these rhymes were still maintained. The findings of this research project give insight into the often-subversive world of children's playground culture. The duality of chil-dren's playground rhymes was confirmed by this study. Children's playground rhymes are contemporary as well as traditional, innovative and conservative, improvised and inherited. Children preserve the tradi-tions of the past while still managing to adapt their rhymes to reflect concerns of the present.
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