Purpose

This study aims to compare low socioeconomic status, urban early adolescents’ (EAs) attitudes toward gender, gender diversity and sexual diversity in two contexts with similar progressive legal frameworks for gender equality and nondiscrimination, South Africa and Belgium, to understand the ways in which adolescents modify or conform to prevailing attitudes.

Methods

The study used a cross-sectional design and sampled 1,102 and 569 EAs (between 11 and 15 years old) in Belgium and South Africa respectively. Quantitative data were collected using tablets. Sample characteristics and gender attitude scales are described and compared in the two countries, and between boys and girls within each country. Comparisons are conducted on the mean score for the 5-point Likert scale items on the gender attitude scales.

Results

Girls in both countries expressed more tolerant attitudes toward same-sex romantic relationships and experienced more gender diverse emotional attraction and physical attraction to same-sex individuals than boys. Generally, boys endorsed more heteronormative relationship norms and other stereotypical attitudes than girls. Conversely, girls tended to embrace sexual double standards more than boys. South African EAs exhibited more sexual diversity but less tolerant attitudes toward gender and gender diversity. Belgian EAs, especially girls, tended to exhibit more tolerant attitudes toward diversity in gender identity.

Discussion

There were important differences in attitudes toward gender, gender diversity, and sexual diversity among EAs, despite the countries’ similar progressive legislative frameworks. In the future, sociocultural and other determinants of EAs’ attitudes should be further explored at different levels from the individual to the societal.

中文翻译：

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相同但不同？比较南非和比利时早期青少年对性别、性别多样性和性多样性的态度

目的

本研究旨在比较低社会经济地位、城市早期青少年 (EA) 对性别、性别多样性和性多样性的态度，并在具有类似的性别平等和不歧视的进步法律框架的南非和比利时的两种情况下，了解青少年改变或顺从流行的态度。

方法

该研究采用横断面设计，分别在比利时和南非对 1,102 和 569 个 EA（年龄在 11 至 15 岁之间）进行了抽样调查。使用平板电脑收集定量数据。对两国的样本特征和性别态度量表进行了描述和比较，并在每个国家的男孩和女孩之间进行了比较。比较性别态度量表上李克特 5 点量表项目的平均分。

结果

与男孩相比，这两个国家的女孩都对同性浪漫关系表现出更宽容的态度，并且对同性个体的性别差异性情感吸引力和身体吸引力更多。一般来说，男孩比女孩更赞同异性恋关系规范和其他刻板态度。相反，女孩比男孩更倾向于接受性双重标准。南非的 EA 表现出更多的性多样性，但对性别和性别多样性的容忍度较低。比利时的 EA，尤其是女孩，往往对性别认同的多样性表现出更宽容的态度。

讨论

尽管各国有类似的进步立法框架，但 EA 之间对性别、性别多样性和性多样性的态度存在重要差异。未来，应在从个人到社会的不同层面进一步探讨 EA 态度的社会文化和其他决定因素。