The Impact of Microcredit on Gender Role Socialization of Children: A Quasi-experimental Study on Microcredit Recipient Women in Rural Bangladesh.

Mgr. Tunvir Ahamed Shohel

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

This study attempted to answer the theoretical dilemma of whether the cultural ground is more powerful or the economy can play the significant role to change cultural learning. Gender role socialization has been taken under scrutiny to answer this dilemma. The construction of gender roles is considered to mould under certain social and cultural conditioning. Empowerment theories have stated that gender roles can be changed with an egalitarian attitude, if women gain economic privileges and control. In this context, microcredit is assessed as one of the empowerment tools for women. The main focus of this quasi-experimental study is to explore the role of microcredit in recipient mothers’ socializing gender roles of their children. A sample (equal number of respondents) of non-microcredit recipient mothers was taken to see the comparison. For this purpose, a field survey was used and data were collected from 100 randomly selected mothers (50 each for microcredit recipients and non-recipients) from Batiaghata and Dumuria Upazila of Bangladesh. The previous gender experiences of the respondents as children were also taken into account to see the current differences. Findings indicate that microcredit respondents have higher income rates and household decision-making power (HDMP) compared to the non-microcredit respondents, but they don’t make significant changes in their children’s socialization treatments. Inferential statistical tests (chi-square) showed that the HDMP of the respondents and the education level of the respondents has a positive relationship (p<0.05) with the HDMP of their daughters. On the other hand, receiving microcredit doesn’t have a significant relationship (p>0.05) with the HDMP of the respondents or with their daughter. Rather, the regression model (N = 100; F = 19.279<0.00) shows that receiving microcredit increases (+0.302<0.02) the HDMP of their sons. Therefore, the study results showed that even if they have higher income and HDMP, the microcredit respondents receive doesn’t have a significant impact on the gender-neutral socialization process of their children.

Keywords

Microcredit, Gender Role, Socialization, HDMP.

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 12. 5. 2014

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 10. 6. 2014
• Vedoucí: doc. Bernadette Nadya Jaworsky, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Mgr. Benjamin Jeremiah Vail, Ph.D.

Masarykova univerzita

Fakulta sociálních studií

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Sociologie / Sociologie (angl.)