Perceptions of gender equality and attitudes toward equal opportunity in School sport among Botswana

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explain consciousness of gender inequality in school sport and predict pro-equality attitudes among 1580 respondents (934 girls and 646 boys) from 45 Botswana secondary schools. Results of separate multiple regression models indicate that girls’ sport participation is negatively correlated with pro-equality attitudes and boys’ grade level is negatively related to perception of gender inequality. Pro-equality attitudes could not be predicted from the students’ grade level, regardless of gender. The coefficient on sport participation in relation to pro-equality attitudes among boys is expectedly negative but not statistically insignificant (p=0.084). The implications of these preliminary findings for policy and programmes include the need to monitor and redress gender disparities in the school sport space.

Keywords: Gender differences; School sport; Attitudes; Equal opportunity

South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation, 2012, 34(2): 181-196