Learning About Loss: A Content Analysis Examination of Children’s Books on Death and Dying.

Research output: Contribution to conferencePresentation

Abstract

Presentation given at American Sociological Association Annual Conference.

Many parents turn to picture books and storybooks to help explain issues surrounding death and dying to their young children. But what do these books have to say, and what can they tell us about how our society thinks children, in particular, should approach issues of death, dying, grief, and bereavement? This qualitative content analysis research examines portrayals of emotions, family relationships, and cultural and religious beliefs in children's storybooks about death, dying, grief, and bereavement. In addition to dealing with topics such as death, funerals, memories, and grief, a number of the books also portray family relationships, gender roles, and beliefs about things such as heaven and what our loved ones experience after they die. This research describes how emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, and even joy are depicted in children's books about death. It provides a look at how our society reacts to death differently depending on whether the deceased was an older person, a younger person, or even a beloved family pet, and it provides insight into cultural and religious beliefs related to death and dying.

Original languageAmerican English
StatePublished - Aug 9 2009
EventAmerican Sociological Association Annual Meeting - San Francisco, United States
Duration: Aug 9 2009Aug 11 2009
Conference number: 104
https://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/2009_am_final_program_missing_front_matter.pdf (Link to program)

Conference

ConferenceAmerican Sociological Association Annual Meeting
Abbreviated titleASA Annual Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period08/9/0908/11/09
Internet address

Disciplines

  • Anthropology
  • Family, Life Course, and Society
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Women's Studies

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