Analyzing Gender Performatives in Urdu Text Books of Pakistan

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to examine stereotypical textual depictions of both males and females in Urdu textbooks of Punjab board schools through Judith Buter’s postulates of performatoy aspects of gender, presented in her famous book, Gender Trouble in 1990. In the selected textbooks, men and women are portrayed in terms of their leadership roles and as followers of one another. The mother is typically portrayed as a stay-at-home mom who cooks and cleans. The study was carried out using Punjab Urdu textbook used to teach the students of classes (1-8). The researchers chose twelve highly relevant texts from different chapters in these books, which reflect gender stereotypes. The finding had been categorized on the basis of representing power-relation patriarchy, gender stereotype in profession and gender stereotype in behavior. The findings reveal male's dominance over females, since males are depicted as more responsible, career oriented, involve in intellectual activities while females are more involve in domestic activities. It is rigorously found that textbooks in Pakistan are prejudiced in their portrayal of citizenship and gender identities, encouraging boys and girls to identify with the gender roles that are assigned to them.

Keywords: Gender Performatives, Gender Stereotypes, Textual Representations, Urdu Textbooks