Adolescents, Ambivalent Sexism and Social Networks, A Conditioning Factor in the Healthcare of Women

Abstract

Despite gender equality being present in the social and political sphere, we still encounter aspects that are characteristic of sexism. Such aspects impact upon gender inequality and different types of violence towards women. The present article aims to ex amine the behaviour of adolescents from Huelva with regards to ambivalent sexism towards women on social networks and their influence on health. Further, we seek to uncover adolescent’s perceptions with regards to gender differences in the use of social ne tworks , the relationship between sexism and women's emotional well - being was observed. The study sample was formed by young people aged between 14 a nd 16 years who were residing in rural and urban zones in the south of Spain. A mixed methods approach was t aken. At a quantitative level, a sample of 400 young people was recruited. These were admin i stered a questionnaire about sexism which was composed of two scales and has been validated at a national and international level. At a qualitative level, the study counted on 33 young people who participated in in - depth discussions via interviews and discussion groups. The results showed that sexism emerges in adolescence in the analysed sample from the south of Spain. This favoured a digital gender gap and was rei nforced through social networks such as Instagram and Snapchat . Rising a wareness and a critical view of the aforementioned sexism was shown on the behalf of females, particularly those from urban backgrounds.