Abstract:

The phenomenon of violence can call the multi-dimensional, because in different ways affects social, individual and interpersonal areas. In the 1980s the interest of researchers for the problem of violence among adolescents is growing because it notes that violent behaviors in intimate relationships start at a younger age. Attitudes on violence and gender roles often reflect socially acceptable settings on gender/sex, but are also the result of personal reflection on society and different social relations. Teen dating violence is an important social problem which affects a significant number of adolescents. Some of the important risk factors for violence are: stereotype beliefs about gender roles, gender based violence and the recognition of violence itself. Studies on violence in adolescent relationships usually start from the concept of gender-based violence. This indicates a link between sexual harassment, violence in partner relationships and violence against homosexual persons with deep-rooted stereotypes and expectations of gender roles. The violence in its various forms and manifestations is an integral part of our lives, and this paper will point to one of its forms affecting significantly large number of young people.

The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes of students of third year high school in Zadar towards gender-based violence and gender roles and their perception of different forms of violence. The results show that a significant number of adolescents approve different stereotype beliefs of gender roles and gender violence, but also that a significant number of students does not recognize different forms of violence. The results of the study show that male students are more prone of different stereotype beliefs than the female students. Also the results show that the male students in a significant number fail to recognize different forms of violent behavior. The paper emphasizes the importance of education about gender equality as a foundation of gender-based violence prevention.

Keywords:

Teen dating violence, gender-based stereotypes, forms of violence, gender equality, education.