“Age-Based Differences in Perceptions of Education’s Role in Reducing Cultural Restrictions on Women’s Mobility”

Abstract

The limited mobility of women is still one of the most ingrained gender inequality manifestations in most traditional communities. It has been generally accepted that education is one of the potent tools of breaking the binding constraints of cultural values and allowing women to move socially and physically. But the perceptions of people towards this role of education might be different among the various age groups because of the difference in socialization, exposure to modern values, and educational experience. This study discusses the presence or absence of age difference in the perception towards the role of education in mitigating cultural limits to women movement outside their home. The study used descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc comparison to study the variation in mean age when considering levels of five levels of agreement based on the statement: Education reduces cultural restrictions connected to women movement outside the home. The results indicate that, although some slight differences between age were found between the various categories of agreements, the findings of the ANOVA test were not significantly different which expounds on the fact that age is not a potent factor in influencing these perceptions. But post hoc analysis revealed a significant difference between those who were neutral and those who strongly agreed with the analysis with the neutral having a large age difference. The research finds that the views on the role of education in the mobility of women are predominantly similar in all age groups indicating a great societal agreement. Policy implications on educational policy, gender equity enterprise and social change strategies are discussed.