An Assessment of Gender Inequality Experienced by Female Youth in Indian Household During COVID-19 Online Classes

Abstract

Due to the patriarchal society, the females in the houses suffer the most. Women's schooling attainment in India continues to lag considerably behind that of men. Gender discrimination in household expenditure on education has led to unsatisfactory educational attainment for women in many countries across the world. It has been observed that households across different states in rural and urban India prefer to incur more education expenditure for male members than females. This research examines the discrimination in Indian households between male and female children during lockdown due to COVID-19. The research was conducted by placing factors that determine discrimination, like availability of resources, nutrition, domestic violence, etc. Telephonic interviews were conducted for fifty-one university students from different states of India. The female students were asked about their difficulties in their education and daily chores due to gender discrimination at their respective homes. One of the critical factors that the research participants expressed was that even educated parents discriminated because they thought it is accepted and regular due to society's patriarchal mind-set. Female students were not appreciated for the daily chores or sacrifices as it was considered a part of their responsibilities. Changing this attitude and belief about women should begin from the house level for reducing gender stereotypes in society.