Gender Representations in Portuguese Language Textbooks

Considering that the school environment is a place for the formation of individuals, in which ideologies and social representations are (re)constructed and legitimized and that textbooks, in our reality, stand out as one of the main materials used in the classroom, this article aims to investigate which gender representations are conveyed in Portuguese language textbooks. We analyzed texts from two Portuguese language textbooks with regard to the approach undertaken on the social roles of gender and on sexuality. Results suggest that, in general, the stereotypical treatment of gender relations is prevalent, although an insertion of texts that refer to female emancipation is already apparent. Homosexual relationships are not mentioned, most likely remaining a taboo.