卒業論文詳細 | 同志社大学社会学研究科

学科	社会学科	ゼミ教員名	MATTIAS VAN OMMEN	年度	2025年度
タイトル	How Caregivers Choose Picture Books: Capital , Narrative , and Social Media in Parenting Decisions

内容	Picture books are a unique medium , for they are literature to be read aloud and shared rather than read by oneself. While picture book research often involves contextual analysis as a reflection of society or emphasizes educational aspects , few studies focus on the process of how picture books are selected and read aloud. This research poses the question , “What criteria guide the selection of picture books?” , focusing on the adults who choose picture books for children. This question is clarified through semi-structured interviews with 12 participants currently or previously involved in the selection of children's picture books. Their characteristics were examined from the perspectives of cultural capital and narratology , and their role was considered in relation to social media , a significant factor in contemporary society. Behind the universal and common criterion of “choosing according to the child's interests” lay various underlying factors and parental intentions. The findings indicate that picture books tend to be passed down across generations , that children's learning from picture books may vary depending on parental preferences , and that interaction through picture books is valued in contrast to social media. By applying a sociological framework to gain insight into the act of book selection , this research contributes to understanding the domestic circumstances surrounding picture books used in child-rearing.

内容

Picture books are a unique medium , for they are literature to be read aloud and shared rather than read by oneself. While picture book research often involves contextual analysis as a reflection of society or emphasizes educational aspects , few studies focus on the process of how picture books are selected and read aloud. This research poses the question , “What criteria guide the selection of picture books?” , focusing on the adults who choose picture books for children. This question is clarified through semi-structured interviews with 12 participants currently or previously involved in the selection of children's picture books. Their characteristics were examined from the perspectives of cultural capital and narratology , and their role was considered in relation to social media , a significant factor in contemporary society. Behind the universal and common criterion of “choosing according to the child's interests” lay various underlying factors and parental intentions. The findings indicate that picture books tend to be passed down across generations , that children's learning from picture books may vary depending on parental preferences , and that interaction through picture books is valued in contrast to social media. By applying a sociological framework to gain insight into the act of book selection , this research contributes to understanding the domestic circumstances surrounding picture books used in child-rearing.

講評	This thesis looks at picture books through a sociological lens. It highlights the role of caregivers of small children in choosing books , and how their upbringing plays a role , amongst other topics. The strengths of this thesis are as follows: 1. it does not shy away from engaging with academic concepts , both from sociology and outside of it , and it is clear that the author has read this work in-depth; 2. it is able to combine empirical data with such concepts , and then also add in the author’s own voice. I particularly enjoyed reading about how picture books should not be seen as a top-down type of arrangement , as a type of “investment” caregivers force onto children , but as a mutual engagement between parent and child. Overall , this thesis makes a strong contribution to the sociological study of picture books and early childhood education in general.

講評

This thesis looks at picture books through a sociological lens. It highlights the role of caregivers of small children in choosing books , and how their upbringing plays a role , amongst other topics. The strengths of this thesis are as follows: 1. it does not shy away from engaging with academic concepts , both from sociology and outside of it , and it is clear that the author has read this work in-depth; 2. it is able to combine empirical data with such concepts , and then also add in the author’s own voice. I particularly enjoyed reading about how picture books should not be seen as a top-down type of arrangement , as a type of “investment” caregivers force onto children , but as a mutual engagement between parent and child. Overall , this thesis makes a strong contribution to the sociological study of picture books and early childhood education in general.

キーワード1	picture books
キーワード2	parenting
キーワード3	cultural capital
キーワード4
キーワード5