SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF GENDER IDENTITY OF BOYS AND GIRLS:

Though a lot of things go into constructing gender identity of boys and girls, their exposure to popular literature as a social process, stands out different, since it occurs in their private and inner space. The fear, insecurities, dreams and aspirations which the child must have acquired through socialization, get re-organized or reconstructed through the child''s reflections on the experience of going through popular literature. This study is but an attempt to understand how genres of such literature come into play in the construction of identity of boys and girls. The author also explores different nuances of ‘othering'' each boy or girl confronts and negotiates with triggered by the milieu and characters of the book.