Is It Really True That Boys Are More Interested In Politics Than Girls? Know The Details Here

There are several stereotypes the world has been following with regard to different genders. While it is claimed that men are more into sports while women are more into sitcoms and shows, But we all know how this can be crossed out, owing to the fact that men equally enjoy sitcoms. Other than that, it is also said that boys are more inclined to know and talk about politics than girls. But it turns out that this can be true.

Are boys more inclined to politics than girls?

A study by the feminist non-profit organisation Kuviraa, in collaboration with researchers from the UCLA Department of Social Welfare, found that girls are less interested in and engaged in politics as compared to boys.

Not only that, they also have fewer opportunities than boys in this sector. Other than that, interest in politics remained higher in older boys aged between 18 and 25 as compared to boys younger than this age. However, girls of all groups didn't really show much interest or engagement in politics.

The organisation employed an Instagram advertisement as a means to conduct a comprehensive survey involving more than 600 young individuals between the ages of 14 and 22, residing in approximately 30 cities across India. Their survey results revealed a noteworthy disparity in self-perceived political engagement between boys and girls. Specifically, just over half (51%) of the boys in our sample considered themselves politically engaged, whereas this figure dropped to less than a third (29%) among girls.

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Specific behavioural indicators

To gauge the levels of political engagement among the participants, they assessed five distinct behavioural indicators, which included activities such as sharing political content online, participating in political rallies, and reaching out to government officials. Interestingly, their findings demonstrated that boys and girls aged 17 and below exhibited relatively similar levels of political engagement. However, a notable shift occurred as they transitioned to 18 years and older. At this point, the political engagement of boys surged significantly, surpassing that of girls.

Moreover, the study revealed differences in awareness regarding the structural barriers that women encounter in Indian politics, with boys exhibiting lower awareness compared to girls. Notably, 74% of the surveyed girls concurred with the statement, "It is more challenging in our society for women to attain elected positions," while only 54% of the boys shared this perspective. Interestingly, girls' awareness of this matter increased with age, whereas boys displayed a contrasting trend, with older age groups exhibiting lower awareness.

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Factors influencing political engagement

In addition to this, the research delved into potential factors influencing the political engagement of youth, such as public speaking abilities and the perception of one's ability to impact politics. The findings indicated that two significant determinants of youth political engagement were parental involvement in political discussions with their children and parental encouragement for their children to participate in political activities. While the effect of these factors was somewhat less pronounced for girls, it remained statistically significant.

How is carers' involvement important for political involvement?

As per Shevika M., Founder, Kuviraa, it is extremely important for carers and parents to help their children understand and teach more about politics, as it helps the children to engage more in political affairs. Some of them are:

Parents should create a safe space for young girls to discuss politics and encourage them

To effectively promote young girls' political engagement, parents should establish a secure and welcoming environment where their daughters feel empowered to openly discuss political matters. This involves actively listening to their perspectives, educating them on political issues, and fostering a supportive atmosphere. Parents should encourage and facilitate their involvement in civic activities, instill a sense of agency and self-confidence, and set an example through their own political engagement. Furthermore, it's essential for parents to address any potential challenges or biases their daughters might encounter and teach them to respect diverse political views, ensuring that the girls not only develop an interest in politics but also feel equipped to navigate the complexities of the political landscape with confidence and resilience.

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Schools can play a role in supporting the political development of girls by creating structured opportunities

Schools play a pivotal role in nurturing the political development of girls by providing structured opportunities that foster their engagement and understanding of the political process. These opportunities can encompass a range of activities, from incorporating civics education into the curriculum to establishing extracurricular clubs or programmes focused on political topics and civic participation. By offering a comprehensive education in civics and government, schools can empower girls with the knowledge and skills necessary to comprehend the political landscape, make informed decisions, and actively participate in the democratic process. Furthermore, these structured opportunities can help build confidence, critical thinking, and leadership abilities in girls, ultimately equipping them to play an active and influential role in shaping the future of their communities and the nation as a whole.

Civil society and schools should work with young boys to identify structural sexism

Civil society organisations and educational institutions have a vital role to play in partnering with young boys to raise awareness and address the issue of structural sexism. By facilitating constructive dialogues, educational workshops, and awareness campaigns, they can help young boys understand the deeply ingrained biases and systemic discrimination that impact women and girls across various societal domains, including politics. This collaborative effort seeks to empower young boys to recognise and challenge gender-based stereotypes, prejudices, and disparities, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. Through education and engagement, these initiatives aim to create a generation of young men who actively advocate for gender equality, making them instrumental in dismantling the foundations of structural sexism and promoting a fair and just society where all individuals, regardless of gender, can participate and thrive in the political arena.

Media to create awareness about women politicians and encourage girls to join politics

The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and can significantly contribute to the encouragement of girls to pursue careers in politics by creating awareness about women politicians. By spotlighting the accomplishments, challenges, and leadership of women in the political sphere, the media can provide young girls with role models and a realistic view of what is achievable. Through stories, profiles, and interviews, media outlets can not only showcase the successes of women politicians but also shed light on the issues they champion, the impact they have, and the pathways they took to reach their positions. By doing so, the media can inspire and empower young girls, demonstrating that they too can make a meaningful difference in the political world. This awareness-building effort can have a profound effect, breaking down gender stereotypes, encouraging more girls to enter politics, and contributing to a more diverse and representative political landscape that truly reflects the aspirations and concerns of all citizens.

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It is extremely important for more girls to engage in politics to help integrate women-centric policies and understand this gender problem.