Examining the Evolution of Gender Stereotypical Beliefs with the Mediating Role of Education in Women: A Cross-Generational Cultural Study
Subject Areas :
1 - Instructor, M.A. in General Psychology, Education Department, Marvdasht, Fars, Iran.
Keywords: Gender Stereotypical Beliefs, Education, Women.,
Abstract :
Sexual health is defined as a physical, emotional, mental, and social state related to sexuality and sexual matters, and it is not merely the absence of disease, disorder, or dysfunction. Like other human behaviors, sexual behavior is influenced by an individual's knowledge and attitude toward gender and sexual issues. A prerequisite for healthy sexual behavior is having accurate sexual knowledge and an appropriate attitude, as thoughts, attitudes, and values constitute essential components of sexual behavior and serve as key factors affecting sexual responses. This study aimed to examine the evolution of gender stereotypical beliefs over the past five decades and investigate the impact of education on the level of such beliefs among women over the last 50 years. The statistical population consisted of five generations of married women residing in Fars Province between 2021 and 2022. Using convenience sampling, 500 married women from Fars participated by completing demographic and gender stereotype questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation, regression analysis, MANOVA, and ANOVA in SPSS-26. The Pearson correlation coefficient results indicated a negative relationship between women's gender stereotypical beliefs and education. The regression analysis showed that the regression model explained 23% of the variance in gender stereotypical beliefs, with education being a significant predictor. Additionally, MANOVA results demonstrated a downward trend in gender stereotypical beliefs over the past 50 years. The findings suggest a shift in women's perspectives and attitudes toward gender-related taboos. While women's education levels have significantly increased over the past five decades, their sexual knowledge has shown only a minimal rise.