An investigation into gender perceptions of higher education institution students in Nelson Mandela Bay

Abstract

Gender interacts with many important aspects of human life, including one’s career paths, social barriers, opportunities, and personal perception. This mixed-methods investigation aims to discover what kinds of gender perceptions 18-25 year-old students (N=16) from higher education institutions (HEIs) in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) might have. Furthermore, this investigation aims to define and explain how these factors shape gender perceptions and, in turn, how this influences students’ gender expressions. Different factors and the severity of their influences on gender perceptions and expressions were determined by the compilation of a comprehensive literature review. Each factor was hypothesized in a mixed-methods online questionnaire; respondents were obtained through social media platforms. Respondents demonstrated their gender stereotypes, attitudes, roles, and perceptions in different questions, before indicating which factors and the severity of each one’s influence on their gender perceptions and expressions. Data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The respondents indicated different factors as holding different levels of influence on their perceptions and expressions. The most prominent factors identified are the parents (81.25%; n=13) of respondents. Additionally, factors such as television and movies (68.75%; n=11) each; and friends, religion, education, social media, and books (62.5%; n=10) each, are deemed influential. Other factors include music and culture (56.25%; n=9) each; communities and celebrities (50%; n=8) each; and family and toys (43.75; n=7) each. The findings of the questionnaire corroborate with research compiled in the literature review: parents, family-inclusive, amongst other factors, plays a crucial role in shaping and maintaining students’ gender perceptions and their resultant expressions.