J Dent Hyg Sci.  2021 Jun;21(2):111-118. 10.17135/jdhs.2021.21.2.111.

Gender Sensitivity and Gender Equality Consciousness of Dental Hygiene Students

• Lim HJ
• Kim KE
• NamKoong EJ

• KMID: 2516935
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17135/jdhs.2021.21.2.111

Abstract

Background
This study was conducted to identify the level of gender sensitivity and gender equality consciousness among dental hygiene students and to confirm the necessity of gender equality programs in the curriculum.
Methods
A self-report questionnaire was conducted with some dental hygiene students using the Gender Sensitivity tool and Korean Gender Egalitarianism Scale for Adolescents (KGES-A).
Results
First, the gender equality consciousness of the students who took women’s studies was high in the areas of educational life and socio-cultural life, and that of the subjects of grandparent families and Catholic was found to be high in the domestic life area. Second, the gender sensitivity of the subjects who took women’s studies was found to be high in all sub-areas. In addition, the gender sensitivity of females was higher in the areas of sexual identity, non-violence, and self-reflection than that of males. That of 4-year college students was higher in the areas of sexual identity, openness to gender roles, and non-violence than that of 3-year college students. In addition, the gender sensitivity of Catholic students was high in the areas of sexual identity and openness to gender roles. Third, gender equality consciousness was found to have an effect depending on whether subjects took women’s studies, family type, family type, and religion, and gender sensitivity was found to have an effect depending on whether subjects took women’s studies or gender.
Conclusion
Since dental hygienist is a profession that targets humans, education that can instill equal awareness and values of humans is important. To inspire gender sensitivity and gender equality consciousness in a prospective professional, it is necessary to conduct programs and education related to gender intelligence within dental hygiene curriculum.

Keyword

Gender equality; Gender sensitivity; Students