Picturing the past: Gender difference in the depiction of historical figures

This study explored how schoolchildren picture the past. Fifth and eighth graders were asked to project themselves into historical roles-Pilgrims, Western Settlers, and Hippies-and to draw pictures of these figures. They also were asked to illustrate short textbook-like passages. Boys' drawings were consistent across task and historical role, depicting a past populated almost exclusively by men. Girls' drawings varied by task and historical role, sometimes including pictures of families or couples despite directions to draw a single figure. These findings are discussed in terms of what they disclose about students' beliefs about history. Curricular implications are also discussed.