It is great to see an article in the Journal of The Medical Association of Thailand that calls for a nation wide school-based program to promote gender equity to prevent sexual violence. When will we see this in the United States?
The full citation, abstract and link to full text follow the jump.
Gender roles, physical and sexual violence prevention in primary extend to secondary school in Samutsakorn Province, Thailand.
Chamroonsawasdi K, Suparp J, Kittipichai W, Khajornchaikul P. Journal of The Medical Association of Thailand 2010; 93(3): 358-65.
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(Copyright © 2010, Medical Association of Thailand)
OBJECTIVE: To enhance positive attitude and life skills on gender roles to prevent physical and sexual violence.
MATERIAL AND METHOD: A whole school-based participatory learning program using a quasi-experimental study with pre and post test design was conducted among 2 schools during June-September, 2005. The experimental group, were 134 students in a primary school and 179 students in a secondary school. While the control group, were 122 students in a primary school and 95 students in secondary school.
RESULTS: Means score of attitude toward gender roles before implementation in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). After implementation, the means score in the experimental group was not significantly different from the control group (p > 0.05). Means paired different score (after-before) between the two groups was significantly different (p = 0.002).
CONCLUSION: A whole school-based program on gender roles and violence prevention is suitable for youths and should be merged as school curricula and expanded as a nationwide program at all level of education. Gender equity should be taught at an early childhood. Parental involvement in school-based activities should be negotiated.
