Socio-Cultural Factors that Influence Masters Student’s Choice to Study Gender and Development Studies at the Master’s Level in Nairobi County
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Date
2017
Authors
Mwose, Rebecca Nyambura
Okong‟o, Grace Mose
Okemwa, Pacificah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IPRJB
Abstract
Purpose: The study aimed at identifying the socio-cultural factors that influence master‟s
student‟s choice to study gender and development studies at the master‟s level in Nairobi County
Materials and methods: The study employed a case study design. Purposive sampling
technique was used in selecting the respondents for the study. Interview guides and open ended
questionnaires were the main data collection instruments for the research. Both qualitative and
quantitative techniques guided by the research objectives and research questions were used to
analyze data. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of themes and the coding technique while
frequencies and percentages were used in the analysis of quantitative data that was collected.
Results: The study established that subject choice is influenced by a myriad of factors including,
influence from peers, parents and societal opinions. Also reference groups in the society and
environmental stimuli significantly contributed to subject choice. Gender unresponsiveness
featured primarily when the students did not feel suited to the choice they had made due to
factors such as family advice and their educational background constraints. Finally career
counselling and mentorship programs for the students, seminars, outreach and sensitization
programs played a great role in subject choice and the resolving and the gender unresponsiveness
before it occurs in career choice.
Recommendations: The study recommends that universities should start career education
sections to help resolve gender unresponsiveness through the creation of awareness about it by
helping students to make subject choices where they can actualize their potential.
Description
A Research Article in the International Journal of Gender Studies
Keywords
Social-cultural factors, Gender, Development studies, Student‟s choice
Citation
Mwose, R. N., Okong’o, G. M., & Okemwa, P. (2017). SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE MASTERS STUDENT’S CHOICE TO STUDY GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES AT THE MASTER’S LEVEL IN NAIROBI COUNTY. International Journal of Gender Studies, 1(1), 5-30.