Gender Role Identification as a Function of Sex and Grade Level in Some Selected Primary and Secondary Schools in Bahir Dar Town

Abstract

The study was conducted on 80 (40 male and 40 female) grade 5, 7, 9 and 11 students from four different schools (20 from each) in Bahir Dar town. Its main purpose was to investigate gender role identification patterns among male and female students at different grade levels in Bahir Dar town. Data was collected from the respondents using a three option rating scale and analyzed using chi-square (χ2) test for homogeneity. The result indicated that girls seem to have better gender role identification pattern than that of boys. In addition, it was found that grade 5 students have better gender role identification pattern followed by grades 7, 9 and 11 students respectively. However, there are still some occupations and activities deemed to be gendered, i.e., left only for males or for females. Thus to enhance on boys stereotypic or traditional gender role identification pattern and maintain girls androgynous gender role conception, programs should be designed at school level targeting boys especially the older ones.