Gender stereotype of early adolescents and its influencing factors / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the gender stereotype in early adolescence and the potential influencing factors.@*Methods@#Stratified cluster sampling method was adopted to recruit students of grade 6-8 in three middle schools of Shanghai during November to December, 2017. Students were surveyed anonymously using Computer Assisted Self-Interview approach regarding geder stereotype and associated factors.@*Results@#Average gender stereotype score was (3.32±0.75), with boys(3.43±0.75)higher than the girls(3.20±0.72)(t=6.37, P<0.05). The "agreement" proportion was highest among gender stereotypes items which reflect personality characteristics such as "it’s important for boy to be strong and determined" "girls should be like a lady" and "girls were expected to be submissive"(60.99%，50.79%，43.95%), and the "agreement" proportion among boys increased with age, while decreased in girls. Boys who had sisters or recent bullying behaviors showed more gender stereotype[β(95%CI)=0.19(0.05-0.33), 0.39(0.12-0.67)]. Girls whose parents allowed to go to opposite sex homes alone had less gender stereotype, however, the gender stereotype became stronger when girls had more female peers[β(95%CI)=-0.22(-0.41--0.03),0.04(0.00-0.07)].@*Conclusion@#The young adolescents, especially boys, show certain level of gender stereotype. The normal heterosexual friendships and safe campus environments would help promote young adolescents to establish equal gender beliefs.