More than a third of children don't feel represented in the books they read, study finds

More than a third of children don’t feel represented in the books they read – because of their gender or ethnicity.

Research of 1,000 children aged six to 12, and their parents, revealed eight in ten read regularly and feel characters always look the same, and don’t represent different views.

And of the 37 per cent of girls who don’t feel represented, 38 per cent thought lead roles in stories always seemed to be boys.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) of parents also agreed that there is a lack of representation of their children – with things like being an only child, allergies, and wearing glasses rarely covered.

It also emerged two in five (41 per cent) believe their child would be more inclined to read more often if the main characters represented similarities to them.

More than a third of parents reckon their children have been put off reading due to lack of representation in books (Wonderbly)

Asi Sharabi, CEO and co-founder of personalised book brand Wonderbly, which commissioned the research, said: “Children want nothing more than to feel a part of a story, and the research has highlighted that while some are able to, for varying reasons, others are not.

“It’s vital in engaging a child for them to feel like they can relate to either the story, or the characters involved.

“The research also found that parents are quite aware of this too when it comes to finding content they consume, as they strive to find things like books that are more representative of their children.”

Other characteristics children haven’t seen in their books, according to their parents, include physical disabilities, different locations kids can live – such as in the city or the country – and skin conditions.

Being short or tall, having divorced parents, and mental health conditions, are also seemingly rarely covered.

When asked which traits were least represented by a main character, parents identified being transgender, being physically disabled, and having alopecia as untouched areas.

And 61 per cent believe it’s important for kids to see themselves represented in the wider content they consume, including films and TV, as well as books.

Almost four in ten children (39 per cent) would like to see more people like them in movies, while 37 per cent said the same of TV shows, and a third in school.

Nearly half of kids (46 per cent) have never seen a character they relate to on television, and a third have asked their parents to buy books with more personalities that speak, look, or act like them.

Parents believe representation is vital in such mediums in order to normalise their feelings, help them relate more to a story, and to know other children find themselves in the same circumstances as them.

Wonderbly allows children's books to be personalised so they can see themselves in their stories (Wonderbly)

And 36 per cent of parents don’t want their youngsters to feel like they’re different, according to the OnePoll data.

Almost half (48 per cent) also reckon seeing characters like them in books will enable them to feel like they can achieve anything.

But 38 per cent admit it’s difficult to find books that do represent their young – with 37 per cent reckoning it has put them off reading altogether.

Asi Sharabi from Wonderbly, a service where you can personalise book characters including their skin tones and hairstyles, added: “It’s so important for children to feel represented in the books they read.

“When children see themselves as the hero of a story, it helps them believe that they can do anything they can imagine, that any story they imagine could be their story.

“Books are also a way to educate your child on an infinite number of topics and themes that shape how they view the world.

“Personalisation helps children relate to the storylines, and makes them far more receptive to the key messages and learnings of each tale.

“We want as many children as possible to see themselves in their own story.”

TOP 20 WAYS KIDS AREN’T REPRESENTED IN BOOKS, ACCORDING TO PARENTS:

1. Being transgender
   
2. A physical disability e.g. being in a wheelchair, not having certain limbs, being blind etc.
3. Alopecia
4. Skin conditions
5. Female or non-binary/alternative gender identity
6. Having same-sex parents
7. Having lost a parent
8. Having dyslexia
9. Being significantly under/above average height for their age
10. Non-heterosexual sexuality
11. Religious beliefs
12. Living in a flat
13. Minority race
14. Having divorced parents
15. Allergies
16. Wearing glasses
17. Not having a brother or sister
18. Non-native nationality
19. Wearing braces on your teeth
20. Uncommon hair colour e.g. red hair