Gender Representation In English As A Foreign Language Textbook At Indonesian Islamic Institute

Abstrak

This research investigates gender representation in the English in a Snap: A Student’s Coursebook used at IAIN Ponorogo, addressing concerns about persistent gender bias in educational materials. Guided by Krippendorff’s content analysis framework, the study aims to examine (1) the equality of male and female visual representations, (2) depictions of gender roles, and (3) differences in leisure activities portrayed for each gender. Using a quantitative content analysis approach, the study systematically analyzes visual elements to identify patterns, stereotypes, and imbalances. The findings indicate a significant gender bias, particularly in the frequency and nature of male representations. Males appear disproportionately, often in more active or dominant roles, while females are underrepresented or shown in limited and traditional roles. These portrayals risk reinforcing outdated stereotypes and shaping students’ perceptions of gender norms. The study highlights the challenges in promoting gender-balanced materials and underscores the need for textbooks to offer diverse role models and equitable depictions. It concludes by recommending broader research that considers cultural contexts and examines the decision-making processes behind textbook content selection.