Gender, sexuality, and kinship in language socialization

Abstract

This chapter charts the development of the study of language socialization as gender socialization and offers new directions for this area of research that account for more fluid, dynamic, and marginal language socialization processes. The chapter begins with early cross-cultural comparisons of gender roles and the socialization of young children into binary gender norms and power structures in adult-child or family interactions. The review then turns to syncretic processes of language socialization where gender intersects with bilingual language socialization and additional language learning. Finally, the chapter discusses queering language socialization as an inclusive approach that examines kinship as a practice and focuses on processes of gender transformation and social change.