Final answer:
Children's books in the 20th century typically depicted fathers as breadwinners and mothers as caretakers, reflecting traditional gender roles. However, these roles are becoming more fluid with changing family dynamics and social perceptions of parenting responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychological research shows that children's books throughout the 20th century have portrayed fathers as breadwinners and mothers as caretakers. This portrayal aligns with traditional gender roles that have often been reflected in media and literature, whereby fathers are seen as the primary providers of the family's financial needs, whereas mothers have often been depicted as the primary custodians of the children and the household. Such depictions were influenced by cultural norms and expectations around parenting and work. In the egalitarian shift, however, these roles have evolved, and parental responsibilities have become more fluid, reflecting changes in society's understanding of 'parent' as not purely biological but as someone with responsibility for a child’s upbringing.
Contemporary times show a shift away from these traditional portrayals, with more diverse family dynamics and gender roles. Nonetheless, historical perspectives show a pronounced role differentiation with a stronger emphasis on fathers as providers and mothers as nurturers. The referenced research by Barry Hewlett and changing social attitudes during outcomes such as World War II illustrate a tendency towards more egalitarian views on gender roles, but also the persistence of traditional expectations.