Abstract
Purpose : In an attempt to analyse gender-egalitarianism related to the general characteristics, sexual consciousness and behavior in middle school students, this study was carried out. This study will provide data that can be used to develop sexuality education programs on the basis of gender-egalitarianism. Method : The subjects were 141 students (70 boys and 71 girls) in 4 classes that were randomly selected from among 8 classes of first graders in a coeducational middle school, in Seoul. For the evaluation of gender-egalitarianism, a Gender Egalitarianism Scale modified by the researcher was used. Results : Major findings were as follows: 1. Gender-egalitarianism was significantly higher in girls compared with boys. All of the boys and girls, had high gender-egalitarianism in the aspect of woman's ability in groups without sexual discrimination, but low gender-egalitarianism in woman's sexual conversation and style of dress. 2. Gender-egalitarianism in boys who had experienced intersexual physical contact, categorized as holding hands, embracing, kissing, and petting, was significantly higher when compared with inexperienced boys. 3. Gender-egalitarianism significantly increased as the father's education level increased as well as the father's open-mindedness. Factors influencing gender-egalitarianism was social acceptance, the mass media, the attitudes of the school teachers, and the attitudes of older and younger student in school. Conclusions : Based on these results, boys' gender-egalitarianism was lower than that of girls. Systematic education on gender-egalitarianism, combined with sexuality education, is necessary for middle school students, especially boys. In the long term, social acceptable the, mass media, school and home life should be changed for the achievement of the equality of the sexes.
