Gender disparities in sciences: the question of parental influence on children’s self-concept and utility-value
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Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Education and Practice
Abstract
Self-concept and utility-values are thought to influence differences in choices, participation and performance in
schools-careers between students of different genders and ages. This study was investigating existence of gender
differences in such constructs regarding science. Further, the study investigated whether development of such
constructs is still influenced by how children feel their parents perceive them in relation to sciences. Using a 30-
item, Lickert-type questionnaire, data were collected from a random sample of 184 second and third graders.
Results showed that, students’ self perceptions and those of parents regarding science are positively related.
Further, self-concept and utility-values were higher among boys than girls. Based on the result, it was concluded
that, parents’ gender-based perceptions regarding science that are still communicated at home might be the
reason for the development of children’s gender-based self-perceptions regarding sciences.
Description
Main article
Keywords
Gender, Parents, Sciences, Self-concept, Utility-value, Tanzania