Role of Gender perceptions in shaping gender-based discrimination and gender equality among school-going adolescents, Telangana: A cross-sectional community-based study

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a unique phase of life, facilitates the transition of a child to an adult, and thus is characterized with distinctive challenges as well as potentialities. Gender socialization during adolescence is shaped by the family, culture, and social construct results to development of attitudes, with more consistent and organized vision toward self and the society. Aim: The present study aims to identify the gender attitudes, perceived gender role, and gender discrimination among adolescents. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive design adopted to study the gender perceptions among adolescents (N = 200) between 8th and 12th standards and meeting the inclusive criteria. Data were collected on gender attributes, attitudes, and perceived discrimination based on gender. Gender equality scores measured among students were categorized between high and low. Results: Findings reveal the persistence of gendered attitudes, roles, and relationships based on gender; 54% girls and 58% boys reported that boys/men are expected to be tough and less emotional and (37.5% girls; 46% boys) agreed that men were decision makers in the financial and family matters and women were felt as lesser role players. Overall, 46% were with gender-biased perceptions. Girls (18%) and boys (5%) reported sexual abuse; however, for any gender abuse, only 16% preferred to seek help from the family members. Conclusion: Findings of the present study highlight the need for gender sensitization in education and schools to transform gender-balanced attitudes and behaviors from young age which greatly affect the inter-personal relationships, affecting behaviors and relationships in families and societies in adulthood.