AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF GENDER ROLES AND GENDER ROLE ORIENTATION ON THE ACADEMIC ASPIRATION OF SELECTED STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS (original) (raw)

This study examined the impact of gender roles and gender role orientation and how it affects the academic aspiration of students. To provide a guide to the study, two research questions were raised which were later hypothetically formulated. To be able to answer the research questions and test the formulated hypotheses, a sample of 25 randomly selected respondents from the population was used. A break down of 12 female and 13 male students of the university of Lagos were selected. Data required to answer the research questions and validate the hypotheses were collected using questionnaire with 9 open ended questions designed by the researcher. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data, and the statistical tool used was simple percentage. The result of the analysis on the views of respondents on the impact of gender roles and its orientation on the academic aspiration of students showed that there is indeed a relationship between gender roles and students’ academic aspirations. It is was also noted that while about 90% of respondents claimed that they did not choose their current course of study because of their gender, they acknowledged that they would study a different course is they were the opposite sex. Female respondents chose more challenging courses like aeronautic engineering, astronomy, medicine, etc, if they were males, and males chose courses like teaching, nursing, and catering to give them more time for the family if they were females). Another revelation was that 10% of the respondents ( all females said they would not further their studies because it is believed that most men will not marry a woman who is ‘too educated’).And 40% percent comprising of 30% males and 10% females said they totally agree with the popular saying that a woman’s place is in the kitchen, no matter how many degree she acquires. Recommendations were made based on the findings and perceived problems that could arise from the impact of gender roles and gender role orientation on the academic aspiration of students.