Attitudes toward gender equality and the acceptability of gender-based violence in a sample of future early childhood and primary teachers

Gender equality education in the classroom is a very relevant tool to combat gender inequality and gender-based violence (GBV). The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes toward gender equality in the school context and the acceptability of GBV of a sample university education students. A total of 148 students enrolled in the final year in Primary Education (55.4%) and Early Childhood Education (44.6%) degrees in Spain participated in this study. The design was correlational and cross-sectional. Among other gathered data, the School Doing Gender/Teachers Scale (SDG/t) and the Acceptability of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women Scale (A-IPVAW) were administered. The results obtained showed that 74.3% of the future teachers believed they did not have sufficient knowledge of equality and coeducation, specifically regarding the design of equality plans and non-sexist language. Significant differences in the acceptability of GBV as a function of sexual orientation were found, with special emphasis on bisexual people, who in this study and elsewhere have exhibited the greatest degree of acceptability of GBV. Results highlighted the urgent need for more training in gender equality and coeducation in order to help shape a more feminist society and reduce GBV.