The Effect of Social Networks on the Students’ Attitude Towards Gender Justice Case Study: Iranshahr Velayet University
Subject Areas : آسیبهای اجتماعی مرتبط با رسانه، ارتباطات و فضای مجازی
Elham Shirdel
1
*
,
hossein ebrahimzadeh Asmin
2
,
Zivar Sheibani
3
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Social Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Social Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
3 - M.A in Sociology, Department of Social Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
Keywords: Information Technology, Social Network, Gender Justice, Iranshahr Velayet University, Students.,
Abstract :
The Effect of Social Networks on the Students’ Attitude Towards Gender Justice Case Study: Iranshahr Velayet University
Elham Shirdel*
Hossein Ebrahimzadeh Asmin**
Zivar Sheibani***
Today, social networks are considered a new pillar in the society due to the speed of their spread, and they have become a huge tool to increase people's awareness of the rights and capabilities of women in the society. This applied research was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of social networks on the attitude towards gender justice. In this research, the survey method and the Jahanbani social network questionnaire and the Amralahi gender justice questionnaire were used. The statistical population of this research consists of all the students of Iranshahr Province University, based on Cochran's formula, the sample size of 365 people was determined by simple random sampling. Data analysis was done by structural equation modeling and Smart PLS software. Examining the hypotheses of the research showed that social networks in different dimensions include the type of social network, the amount and type of social network use, the content of social network, the quantity of social interactions, participation and being active in social network, trust in social network and reference patterns in social network on Students' attitudes towards gender justice have a direct and significant effect. Also, in general, social networks increase the attitude towards gender justice in students of Iranshahr Province University. Therefore, increasing the quantity and quality of social networks as a source of vast and accessible information can improve more quickly students' awareness and attitude towards gender justice.
Keywords: Information Technology, Social Network, Gender Justice, Iranshahr Velayet University, Students.
Introduction
Gender inequality means taking all the benefits, gifts, and positions of each society so that one gender is deprived of it and the other gender enjoys it. The relationship between economic-social development and gender inequality is a two-way relationship, and it cannot be expected that gender inequality will also be reduced by planning for economic development, but in the first place, it should be planned to reduce the gaps, then accelerate and strengthen economic development. Based on this, gender equality is one of the goals and programs of the social system, and the factors affecting it should be measured. Among these factors, the development of information and communication technology infrastructures, especially social networks, can be mentioned. Undoubtedly, social networks have led to vast changes in all economic and social fields of humanity, and their effect on various societies has been such that the present age is rapidly becoming an information society. Virtual social networks are considered one of the most important social media. These networks are a chain of communication and social network groups with the non-physical presence of people in a virtual place, which by increasing the information of users and their interactions with like-minded people, has caused women and men to overcome traditional and cultural misconceptions, which in general it is beneficial for the presence of women in society.
Purpose:
The amount of personal and academic use of the Internet and virtual social networks by students and young people is higher. On the other hand, students represent the intellectual and educated class of their society. Finally, Iranshahr Provincial University is the arena of social encounters with different cultures, different genders, ethnicities, and different religions, and this research can provide more knowledge about the gender inequality situation in this sample and the impact of social networks on this issue. According to above mentioned situation, the present research seeks to answer the question, what effect does the use of virtual social networks have on the attitude of women and men students towards gender inequality? The theory of planting and Giddens construction theory, and other related theories were used for the theoretical framework and the extraction of research hypotheses.
Method
In this study, to investigate the impact of students' attitudes toward gender inequality on social networks, a survey research method was applied to collect data, Jahanbani's virtual social networks questionnaire (2018) and Amralahi's gender inequality questionnaire (2019) were used. The reliability of the variables was evaluated based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient at a high level. The statistical population of this research made up of all the students of Iranshahr Province University (7500 people) and 365 people were selected as the final sample of the present study by simple random sampling method. To analyze the data, structural equation modeling applied using Smart PLS software.
Findings
Based on t-statistics, all paths and assumptions of the research were significant and the model presented in this research was confirmed. Examining the results of research hypotheses showed that all dimensions of virtual social networks, in general, have a direct and significant effect on the attitude towards gender inequality. The results of the statistical test indicate the type of virtual social network, the amount of use of social networks, trust in social networks, purpose of use of social networks, the content of social networks, the amount of participation and activity in social networks with the attitude towards gender inequality in the students of Velayat University. Iranshahr has a direct and meaningful relationship.
Conclusion
The use of social networks can help to raise awareness and influence the attitude towards gender inequality. By disseminating information and views about gender equality and gender roles, social networks can be the basis for increasing public awareness about this issue. The results obtained in this case are corroborants with the research of Abdullahian and Homan (2019) and Noord et al. (2015). The type of virtual social networks such as Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram can have a different effect on the attitude towards gender inequality. By focusing on images and visual content, Instagram can promote gender ideals, and different beauty standards based on gender, portraying negative and discriminatory gender roles. At the same time, Twitter, as a platform for expressing and exchanging opinions, can be a ground for discussion about gender equality and awareness of diverse experiences and perspectives. Therefore, the influence of these networks depends on how they are used and the content published in them. The amount of use of virtual social networks can have an important effect on the attitude towards gender inequality. The type of use of social networks can have a significant effect on the attitude towards gender inequality. The behavior and activities of people in these networks, including publishing content, demanding gender rights, exchanging opinions, participating in gender equality movements, and supporting related movements, can affect the formation of people's attitudes and views about gender inequality. The content of social networks can have a significant effect on the attitude towards gender inequality. These networks act as a platform for publishing and sharing content, opinions, views, and experiences of people. Also, more interactions in social networks can help increase people's awareness about gender inequality issues. People can hear diverse experiences and perspectives related to gender inequality and gain new information through interaction with other people. The amount of participation and activity in social networks can have a significant effect on the attitude towards gender inequality. When people are active and participating in social networks, it can help to change their attitudes and views towards gender inequality. The level of trust in social networks can have a significant effect on the attitude towards gender inequality. Trusting social networks means trusting the information and content published in these networks. To the extent that people trust these contents, its effect on their attitudes towards gender inequality is determined. Reference models, or behavioral examples and views that are displayed in social networks and noticed by people, can significantly impact the attitude towards gender inequality. In social networks, by seeing and observing the patterns and behaviors of others, people experience a direct or indirect influence in accepting and changing their attitudes toward gender inequality.
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* Corresponding Author: Assistant Professor, Department of Social Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
0000-0002-3381-0937
** Associate Professor, Department of Social Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
0000-0001-5635-4498
*** M.A in Sociology, Department of Social Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
0009-0008-6510-9548
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Derek H.C, Chen. (2016) Gender Equality and Economic Development (The Role for ICTs). A World Bank Policy Research. Washington D.C.
Duche-Pérez, A. B., Grundy-López, R. E., Gutierrez-Aguilar, O., Vera-Revilla, C. Y., & Romero, Á. V. M. P. (2024) Silenced Voices on the Net: A Systematic Literature Review on Gender-Based in Social Media Networks. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3 (3), 642-655.
https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i3.3386.
Hogemann, E. R. (2024) The selectivity of the public sphere and subaltern public spheres: perspectives of Habermas and Nancy Fraser and their impact on human rights public policies. Revista Internacional Consinter de Direito, 307-325.
https://doi.org/10.19135/revista.consinter.00019.13.
Kashyap, Geeta (2014) Role of Alternative Media in Empowerment of Women, Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism. 4 (8):1-3.
https://doi.org/10.4172/2165-7912.1000209.
Kasirye, F. (2024) The importance of needs in uses and gratification theory. Authorea Preprints.
https://doi.org/10.31124/advance.14681667.v2.
Khan, E. A., & Moin, A. (2013) Women empowerment: role of new media. Excellence International Journal of Education and Research, 1 (3), 206-216.
Kim, T. Y., Igras, S., Barker, K. M., Diakité, M., & Lundgren, R. (2022) The power of women’s and men’s Social Networks to catalyse normative and behavioural change: evaluation of an intervention addressing Unmet need for Family Planning in Benin. BMC Public Health, 22 (1), 672-686.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12681-4.
Nasriyah, N. (2024) Pengaruh media sosial terhadap persepsi remaja tentang kesetaraan gender. Harakat An-Nisa, 8 (1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.30631/81.11-22.
Nord, J. H., Paliszkiewicz, J., Grubljesuc, T., Scarlat, C., & Svanadze, S. (2015) Women’s empowerment: Social technologies in Slovenia, Romania, and Georgia. Applied Knowledge Management. 3: 128-150.
Patil, A. (2021) Gender equalities and career progression of Indian women in the information and technology sector in India: women's views and perspectives, Ph.D. Thesis.
Perrin, F. (2022) Can the historical gender gap index deepen our understanding of economic development?. Demographic Economics, 88 (3): 379-417.
https://doi.org/10.1017/dem.2020.34.
Putnam, R. D. (2000) Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.
https://doi.org/10.1145/358916.361990.
Saghir, A., Ashfaq, M. and Noreen, A. (2009) Gender And Information And communication Technologies (ICTS), Animal & Plant Sciences. 19 (2): 94-97.
Wallaschek, S., & Minkus, L. (2024) More social media, stronger regressive views? When gender equality is opposed (and when it is not) in Europe. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/98wj3.
Xu, X., & Zhao, X. (2024) Discussing Women’s Understanding and Attitudes Towards Gender Stereotypes on Social Media: A Case Study of the “Female Driver” Topic. Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies, 1 (10), 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.61173/63dg2d93.