Examining preschool teachers' perceptions towards gender equality: A qualitative study

The aim of this study is to reveal preschool teachers' perceptions of gender equality. At the same time, it is aimed to reveal what kind of practices preschool teachers do regarding gender equality, what problems they encounter during their practices and how they solve them. This study is a qualitative study, and a phenomenological design, which is one of the qualitative research designs used to describe an experienced phenomenon, was used. The study group of the research consisted of 40 preschool teachers working in different provinces. Data was collected through face-to-face and online interviews with teachers through a semi-structured interview form consisting of 8 questions in total. The interview data obtained in the research were organized into themes using the content analysis method. While the findings were presented, the data for each emerging theme were shown in the table, and then these themes were evaluated under headings by showing quotations. As a result of the answers to the research questions, 7 headings were determined and the results were examined in detail. First of all, the perceptions of preschool teachers on gender equality were revealed by examining the participants' responses to their definitions of their male and female students, their expectations from female and male students in terms of roles, characteristics and responsibilities, and what they understand from gender equality. Although the participants' perceptions of gender equality are generally positive, their definitions and expectations of their students appear to include gender stereotypes. Then, preschool teachers were asked about their practices that take into account gender equality inside and outside the classroom, and it was concluded that teachers developed behaviors that take into account gender equality rather than carrying out practices related to gender equality on their own. In addition, teachers were asked what kind of practices they used for their parents and students in order to raise awareness about gender equality, and teachers who did not make any practices were asked what practices they would do regarding this issue if they did, and their practices and practice suggestions were revealed. The result is; It was observed that teachers who did not practice offered implementation suggestions, but they did not implement them. Finally, preschool teachers were asked what problems they experienced in their practices regarding gender equality and what solutions they suggested to these problems, and as a result, many teachers stated that they did not experience any problems. Key words: Sex, gender, discrimination, stereotypes, sexism.