Representasi Gender Tokoh Anak dalam Novel Big Brother karya Sherina Salsabila

Abstract

Studies on gender representation in Indonesian children’s literature are still limited, especially those focusing on child characters and family relationships. This study aims to describe gender representation in the child characters Sam and Shasa in Sherina Salsabila’s novel Big Brother through three domains: physical description, psychological character, and social role in the family. The study uses a descriptive qualitative approach with literature study and close reading techniques, with data sources consisting of 16 narrative and dialogue quotations selected based on indicators of gender representation in the two characters. The analysis was carried out by coding and grouping the data into physical, psychological, and role categories, then interpreting them to map the patterns of stereotypes and ambivalence of gender representation in the text. The results show that gender representation tends to follow traditional patterns, with female characters associated with attributes of beauty, emotional responsiveness, and domestic work, while male characters are associated with rationality, economic responsibility, and protective roles. However, in some parts, role negotiation emerges, such as the involvement of male characters in the domestic sphere. These findings confirm that the novel presents a supportive sibling relationship while also reproducing and/or negotiating gender stereotypes, making it important to read critically in the context of developing Indonesian children's literature studies.