Exploring Gender Disparities in Parental Support for Education of Children at Tertiary Level: A Case Study of University of Swat

Abstract

Gender disparities causes educational inequalities. The study explored gender disparities in parental support for education of children at the tertiary level. Study’s objectives were to; explore gender disparities in support of parents for higher education of children, identify causes of gender disparities and recommend strategies for equal parental support of parents for higher education of male and female children. Study’s design was qualitative case study. Twelve undergraduate students, six males and six female students were purposively selected participants of the study. Semi-structured interview was prepared, validated and used for collecting data with individual interviews. Following Braun and Clarke (2006) procedure data were thematically analyzed. The study explored gender disparities in financial, academic and socio-emotional support of parents for children education at the tertiary level, identified socio-cultural values and economic factors for gender disparities in education of children and recommended equal financial, academic and socio-emotional support of parents for the education male and female children at the tertiary level.