Gender differences in beliefs of rural parents regarding academics and career of their youth (15-25 years)

Abstract

This study investigated gender differences in parental beliefs regarding academics and career of their children. The sample for the study consisted of 60 parents, 30 mothers and 30 fathers, who were selected from village Kharian of Jammu in JKUT. whose children were in the age group of 30-70 years were studying above 8th class. Self-devised interview schedule used for data collection through home visits, keeping in view COVID-19 SOPs as issued by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir from time to time. Most of the parents were in their middle adulthood, were educated upto 12th class, mothers were mostly home makers and fathers held service either in governmental or private sectors. Majority of them aspired for their own education and career but due to poverty they had to leave education in between, for either jobs or marriage, and given a chance many of them would like to continue their education. Given their own outlook towards education and career, most of the parents had a positive attitude towards the education and career of their children, irrespective of their gender. Some differences in opinion were seen in their beliefs regarding career and the marriage of girls. Most of the parents wanted their daughters to take teaching as profession whereas for boys they preferred engineering and civil services. They believed that 21-25 years was the right age of marriage for girls, whereas for boys they believed that 25-30 years as the right age.