Analysis of illustrations concerning human reproduction included in Greek secondary education textbooks

GEORGIOS AMPATZIDIS, ANASTASIA ARMENI

Abstract

Research with students of different ages show that they hold misconceptions concerning certain aspects of sex and reproduction. Inadequate knowledge regarding sex and reproduction has been linked with risks such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unplanned pregnancies. Considering that (a) textbooks determine significantly what is learned in school and (b) science textbooks rely largely on illustrations, in this paper we explore illustrations concerning human reproduction included in the Greek secondary education textbooks. Drawing on the results of our analysis we discuss issues such as the absence of pleasure, compulsory heterosexuality, compulsory hetero-patriarchy and lack of contraception information.

Keywords

Human reproduction, textbook analysis, secondary education, illustrations

Full Text:

PDF

References

Abd-El-Khalick, F., Waters, M., & Le, A.-P. (2008). Representations of nature of science in high school chemistry textbooks over the past four decades. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45(7), 835-855.

Allen, L. (2004). Beyond the birds and the bees: Constituting a discourse of erotics in sexuality education. Gender and Education, 16(2), 151-167.

Ametller, J., & Pintó, R. (2002). Students’ reading of innovative images of energy at secondary school level. International Journal of Science Education, 24(3), 285-312.

Ampatzidis, G., Georgakopoulou, D., & Kapsi, G. (2019). Clitoris, the unknown: What do postgraduate students of educational sciences know about reproductive physiology and anatomy? Journal of Biological Education, 55(3), 254-263.

Argyris, I., & Kavouras, A. (1981). Anthropology for the 2nd grade of Gymnasium. Athens, Greece: School Book Publishing Organization (OEDB).

Aspiotis, N. (1977). Anthropology for the 2nd grade of Lyceum. Athens, Greece: School Book Publishing Organization (OEDB).

Aspiotis, N. (1980). Anthropology for the 2nd grade of Gymnasium. Athens, Greece: School Book Publishing Organization (OEDB).

Bernard, S., Clément, P., & Carvalho, G. S. (2007). Prevention of Sexual Transmitted Diseases in Biology textbooks from different countries. Paper presented at the ESERA 2007 Conference, Malmö, Sweden.

Bernard, S., Clément, P., Carvalho, G. S., Gilda, A., Berger, D., Thiaw, S. M., … Assaad, Y. (2008). Sexually transmitted infections and the use of condoms in Biology textbooks. A comparative analysis across sixteen countries. Science Education International, 19(2), 185-208.

Carvalho, G. S., & Clément, P. (2007). Construction and validation of the instruments to compare teachers’ conceptions and school textbooks of 19 countries – The European Biohead-Citizen project. Paper presented at the AREF 2007 International Conference, Strasbourg, France.

Chakraborty, D., & Kidman, G. (2021). Inquiry process skills in Primary Science textbooks: Authors and publishers’ intentions. Research in Science Education. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11165-021-09996-4.

Cook, M. (2008). Students’ comprehension of Science concepts depicted in textbook illustrations. The Electronic Journal for Research in Science & Mathematics Education, 12(1). Retrieved from https://ejrsme.icrsme.com/issue/view/747.

Curran, G., Chiarolli, S., & Pallotta-Chiarolli, M. (2009). ‘The C Words’: Clitorises, childhood and challenging compulsory heterosexuality discourses with pre-service primary teachers. Sex Education, 9(2), 155-168.

Devetak, I., & Vogrinc, J. (2013). The criteria for evaluating the quality of the Science textbooks. In M. S. Khine (Ed.), Critical analysis of Science textbooks: Evaluating instructional effectiveness (pp. 3-15). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

Donati, S., Medda, E., Spinelli, A., & Grandolfo, M. E. (2000). Sex education in secondary schools: An Italian experience. Journal of Adolescent Health, 26(4), 303-308.

Gkelti-Douka, E., Patargias, T. A., & Argyris, I. (1982). Biology for the 3rd Grade of Gymnasium. Athens, Greece: School Book Publishing Organization (OEDB).

Hamani, Y., Sciaki-Tamir, Y., Deri-Hasid, R., Miller-Pogrund, T., Milwidsky, A., & Haimov-Kochman, R. (2007). Misconceptions about oral contraception pills among adolescents and physicians. Human Reproduction, 22(12), 3078-3083.

Ioannidi-Kapolou, E. (2004). Use of contraception and abortion in Greece: A review. Reproductive Health Matters, 12, 174-183.

Kastorinis, A., Kostaki-Apostolopoulou, M., Mparona-Mamali, F., Peraki, V., & Pialoglou, P. (2011). Biology for the 1st grade of Lyceum. Athens, Greece: CTI Diophantus.

Kaye, K., Suellentrop, K., & Sloup, C. (2009). The fog zone: How misperceptions, magical thinking, and ambivalence put young adults at risk for unplanned pregnancy. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Krimpas, K., & Kalopisis, I. (1977). General Biology lessons for the 3rd grade of Lyceum. School Book Publishing Organization (OEDB).

Krimpas, K., Zouros, E., Tsakas, S., & Christodoulou, K. (1980). Biology lessons for the 3rd Grade of Gymnasium. Athens, Greece: School Book Publishing Organization (OEDB).

Lee, J., Catling, S., Kidman, G., Bednarz, R., Krause, U., Martija, A. A., … Zecha, S. (2021). A multinational study of authors’ perceptions of and practical approaches to writing geography textbooks. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 30(1), 54-74.

Liu, Y., & Khine, M. S. (2016). Content analysis of the diagrammatic representations of primary Science textbooks. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 12(8), 1937-1951.

Liu, Y., & Treagust, D. F. (2013). Content analysis of diagrams in secondary school Science textbooks. In M. S. Khine (Ed.), Critical analysis of Science textbooks: Evaluating instructional effectiveness (pp. 287-300). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.

Mavrikaki, E., Gouvra, M., & Kampouri, A. (2017). Biology for the 1st grade of Gymnasium. Athens, Greece: CTI Diophantus.

Milton, J. (2003). Primary School sex education programs: Views and experiences of teachers in four primary schools in Sydney, Australia. Sex Education, 3(3), 241-256.

Souza, K. A. F. D., & Porto, P. A. (2012). Chemistry and Chemical Education through text and image: Analysis of twentieth century textbooks used in Brazilian context. Science & Education, 21(5), 705-727.

Sperantzas, S. (1966). Human Somatology. Athens, Greece: School Book Publishing Organization (OEDB).

Sydsjö, G., Selling, K. E., Nyström, K., Oscarsson, C., & Kjellberg, S. (2006). Knowledge of reproduction in teenagers and young adults in Sweden. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care: The Official Journal of the European Society of Contraception, 11(2), 117-125.

Thorogood, N. (2000). Sex Education as disciplinary technique: Policy and practice in England and Wales. Sexualities, 3(4), 425-438.

Tountas, Y. Creatsas, G., Dimitrakaki, C., Antoniou, A., & Boulamatsis, D. (2004). Information sources and level of knowledge of contraception issues among Greek women and men in the reproductive age: a country-wide survey. European Journal Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 9(1), 1-10.

Weiss, I. R., Banilower, E. R., McMahon, K. C., & Smith, P. S. (2001). Report of the 2000 national survey of science and mathematics education. Chapel Hill, NC: Horizon Research.

Westwood, J., & Mullan, B. (2006). Knowledge of secondary school pupils regarding sexual health education. Sex Education, 6(2), 151-162.

Yfoulis, A. (1978). Genetics for the 1st grade of Technical Vocational Lyceum. Athens, Greece: Eugenides Foundation.


DOI: https://doi.org/10.26220/mje.3785

View Counter: Abstract | 0 | times, and PDF | 0 | times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Mediterranean Journal of Education | ISSN: 2732-6489 |  Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education - University of Patras.

Pasithee | Library & Information Center | University of Patras