Browsing by Author "Edwin, Rose"

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    The influence of gender stereotyping on secondary school students’ subject and career choice: a case study of Rufiji district in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Edwin, Rose
    This study aimed at examining how gender stereotyping influences students’ subject and career choice by looking into teachers’, parents’ and students’ views, ideas, perceptions and attitudes concerned with gender stereotyping.The study utilized qualitative approach whereby purposive sampling was drawn from the Rufiji District’s secondary schools. Seventy students were selected in the study. Five secondary schools with fourteen students from each school were selected as well as twenty five teachers from all five schools, including eight parents. A case study was used because the researcher wanted to reveal in depth information on the practice of gender stereotyping in students’ subject choice and career choice. The methods employed during data collection were interviews, focus group discussions, observation and documentary reviews. The data collected were analysed qualitatively through content analysis focusing on phenomenological approach whereby data produced trough exploration of similarities and differences of informants’ ideas, views, perceptions and attitudes towards the study. Findings have shown that gender stereotyping views, attitudes and perceptions influenced of secondary school students’ subject choice and career choice. Parents’, teachers and’ students’ stereotypic views, attitudes and interests affected students’ subject choice and career choice. In addition, culture and poverty formed part of influences on subjects’ choice and career choice. Students’ attendances, performances and social background had significant effect on their subject choice and career choice. Based on the research findings, the study concludes that gender stereotyping influences secondary school students’ subject choice and career choice. Gender-stereotyping interests, attitudes, views and perceptions have also affected the teaching and learning processes, as revealed by participants. Such stereotypic attitudes and perceptions affect students’ school attendance and performances significantly.The study recommends that the education stakeholders including NGO’S should provide mass education on the effects of gender stereotyping in education, especially in subject choice and career choice. The study recommends a comparative research on gender stereotyping and students’ academic performance in advance level schools (A’ levels) and in higher learning institutions; colleges and universities.