The relationship between the gender role attitudes of parents with children in the 0-6 age group and the language they use with their children

Objective: This research was conducted to determine the relationship between the gender role attitudes of parents with children in the 0-6 age group and the language they use towards their children. Method: This study is of descriptive-relationship type. The sample of the study consisted of parents of babies and children registered to a Family Health Center located in the district center of Görele. 644 parents were included in the sample. 'Introductory Characteristics Questionnaire', 'Gender Role and Attitude Scale' and 'Gender-Inclusive Parental Verbal Expressions Scale' were used to collect data. The data was collected by the researcher between March 2023 and August 2023. The data were analyzed through a statistical program and the results of the data were considered significant as p<0.05. Results: The total mean score of the parents from the Gender Role and Attitude Scale (GRAS) is 107.3±12.63. A statistically significant difference was found between the participants' GRAS total score averages and parenting type, age groups, educational status, gender of their children, number of children, and education level of their parents (p<0.001). Factors such as parenting type, age, education level, number of children, and whether their children have a separate room affected the gender-inclusive verbal expressions parents used to their children (p<0.05). A positive, moderately significant relationship was found between parents' gender role attitudes and gender-containing verbal expressions used towards their male (r=0.51) and female (r=0.51) children (p<0.001). Conclusion: Parents with positive gender role attitudes raise their boys and girls in a language that is more egalitarian and free of gender stereotypes. Keywords: Parent-child, gender, gender role, gender attitude, public health nursing