Abstract:

Family represents the primary group in which we grow up and strongly influences the formation of us as persons. As a social micro group, the family in its development follows the trends of the society to which it belongs. Thus, the division of roles within the family is a reflection of the socio-economic state of society and the existing dominant system of social values. In modern times, a number of factors influence changes in the family, especially the relationships and roles of family members. Gender equality in the family is reflected in the distribution of family power, the decision-making system, the autonomy of the spouses, and the realization of the parental role. Equal parental partners reject traditional social pressures, ingrained stereotypes of fatherhood and motherhood, and gender-divided work roles at home and outside of it. The fact of the matter is that from an early age we observe numerous behaviors and verbal statements related to gender roles. Additionally, we have many expectations from both male and female family members. Furthermore, we witness reactions that show us what is allowed and what is not allowed, and all this forms our attitudes about the masculine and feminine gender, their characteristics, and their relationship. Gender roles include behaviors assigned to men and women that are based solely on gender differences. On the other hand, attitudes toward gender roles refer to the beliefs that people have about the entrusted roles and responsibilities of men and women. Attitudes play a large role in shaping an individual’s behavior and identity and can often be more important than whether someone is male or female. Attitudes about gender roles among individuals can range from traditional to moderate to egalitarian. Traditional attitudes encourage differences in the roles of men and women, in the sense that women should attach more importance and devote themselves more to family responsibilities, while men are to focus on work responsibilities. In contrast, egalitarian attitudes towards gender roles do not support segregation by gender and encourage equal expectations of men and women within the workplace and family roles.

The main goal of this paper is to determine students' attitudes about the egalitarianism of gender roles in the family. Previous research has shown that the gender criterion is particularly important, but variables such as age, place of birth (rural or urban), parental education, parental employment status, family structure, and religious self-identification should also be taken into account. In this way, it will be determined whether there are differences among students with more traditional and egalitarian attitudes towards these socio-demographic characteristics. The research will provide insight into whether young people's attitudes about gender roles are changing in modern times and whether an aspiration for more egalitarian gender roles in the family exists within the mentioned young people.

Keywords:

Attitudes, egalitarianism, family, gender roles.