Reproducing Values: A Feminist Critique of a Higher Secondary Biology Textbook Chapter on Reproductive Health

Abstract

The aim of feminist critiques of science has been to challenge and dismantle symbolic masculinity in the mainstream, positivist discourse of science that is projected as value-free, objective, context-free and rational, reflecting ‘the truth’ about reality. A large number of these critiques have focused on uncovering androcentric values in scientific theories, raising larger questions on the fact–value dichotomy and pointing out how all fact is essentially value-laden. Our analysis has drawn from this tradition and argues how the science curriculum documents and the NCERT class XII textbook reflect the masculine, positivist discourse of science that upholds the fact–value dichotomy and in doing so communicates mainstream values through the facts that are propounded. In the context of the chapter on reproductive health, we argue that the textbook endorses the patriarchal, reductionist science designed to interfere with the menstrual cycle and technologies that pose risks to the woman’s body. Interviews with three teachers who teach the textbook also reveal that they view the topic as value-laden. The article suggests that textbook writers and teachers reflect on and make explicit the value-frameworks that underpin the ‘facts’ that they communicate to students.