Document Type : Original Article
Author
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Trivandrum is a place with better educational status for women. The aim of this
study is to describe young women’s attitude toward gender‑equitable norms.
METHODS: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted in Trivandrum, using multistage cluster
sampling method. Participants were 18–28‑year‑old married (n = 203) and unmarried (n = 104)
women. The scales of domestic chores and daily life domain items and violence domain items from
the compendium of gender scales were used to assess the attitude toward gender‑equitable norms.
Pearson Chi‑square test was used to check the significance of the associations.
RESULTS: The high support to gender‑equitable norms on domestic chores and daily life domain
was 29% and 18% and violence domain was 25% and 14% among unmarried and married
women, respectively. Education was interrupted among 55% of married women due to marriage,
pregnancy, childcare, and lack of resources. The ability to take final decision to work outside the
home (32% vs. 45%) and in obtaining health care (65% vs. 73%) was low among married women
compared to unmarried women. Higher education did not affect the attitude of young women toward
gender‑equitable norms on “violence domain,” but the highly educated married women showed a
slightly better support for “domestic chores and daily life domain” and had a major say in taking
decisions on health‑care seeking and work outside home.
CONCLUSIONS: In general, the support for gender‑equitable norms and the freedom in
decision‑making are not satisfactory among young women. Education alone cannot make rapid
changes in the attitude of young women toward gender‑equitable norms since it is strongly connected
with social norms and practices.
Keywords
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