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Currently researching an assignment for uni on the reading interests of upper primary school children. This article from 1978 left me in shock - and says it all.
"Girls will read a book considered to be of interest to boys; however boys ordinarily will not read a book considered to be of interest to girls".
Thoughts
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This is broadly accurate even in adults, and it’s because women can empathize with men, but men cannot empathize with women. It’s why JK Rowling did not publish under her identifiably-female name. This is pure patriarchical socialization, and these days I prefer to continually balance the scales by taking minimal interest in topics of concern to men 😒 Give your attention and money to women authors, musicians, directors, politicians, professors, realtors, landlords, doctors, social causes, etc etc.
I would word this a bit differently and say boys will be more likely to read masculine coded books and girls will be more likely to enjoy both feminine coded and masculine coded books. "Considered to be of interest to boys" is a bit misleading as there are plenty of little girls who like action stories, but boys don't want to know that girls also watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates or read Percy Jackson because they feel that masculine coded things belong to them.