The Academic Cost of Gender Discrimination Among Adolescent Girls

• In Event: Supporting Adolescent and Young Adult Development and Well-Being

Abstract

This study examined the association between gender discrimination and academic achievement among adolescent girls. Gender discrimination referred to the interpersonal bias and discrimination that adolescents’ experience because of their gender. A multidimensional approach was employed comprising several forms (overt and subtle) and sources (peers, school personnel, and adults in the community). Cross-sectional data included 725 adolescent girls aged 13 to 18 years (Mage = 15.90; SDage = 1.23) from two public high schools in California. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that overt gender discrimination from school personnel was negatively associated with academic achievement. Covariates included age, race/ethnicity, and social class. Findings highlight the need for interventions addressing gender discrimination in educational settings to improve academic outcomes for adolescent girls.

Authors

• Zena R. Mello, San Francisco State University

• Vani Kakar, San Francisco State University