Gendered Preferences at an Early Age as Affecting Choice of Fields of Study in South- South Universities in Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated if gendered preferences made at early age among students can influence their choice of fields of study in the Universities in the South- South region of Nigeria. The Universities studied were the private, state and federal institutions of higher education. The objectives set for the study were to: ascertain if the students of Western Delta University (WDU), University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Rivers State University understand  gendered preferences made at an early age entails, identify whether students from Western Delta University (WDU), University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Rivers State University choice of study were influenced by gendered preferences made at an early age and  determine whether students from Western Delta University (WDU), University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Rivers State University choice of study were influenced by other factors in the South- south region of Nigeria. The theories used for the study were Gender role, Gender Schema and Social constructionism theories with a population  of 132,700 from the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State (Federal – owned University), Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State (Private – owned University) and Rivers State University, Rivers State (State – owned University). A sample size of 384 was determined by Krejcie and Margan sample size determination .In conclusion, the study discovered that, students in private Universities are more prone to getting gendered on their choice of field of study than their counterparts in the public Universities in South- south, Nigeria. As a result, the study recommends that, parents and other persons in charge of the nurturing of children should endeavor to avoid influencing their children through gendered actions.