AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThe empirical findings indicate that participants interpret traditional gender roles as structural barriers and decode violence as a systemic outcome initiated within domestic environments and reinforced through linguistic stereotypes.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
This research examines high school students' perceptions of gender equality and violence prevention through the dual frameworks of national legislation (Law No. 6284) and international development goals (SDG-5). Grounded in Critical Theory and Critical Legal Studies, the study frames gender-based disparities not merely as individual infractions but as structural human rights and democratic challenges, highlighting the role of youth legal literacy in social transformation. Utilizing a qualitative phenomenology design, the study group comprises 47 secondary school students selected via criterion sampling across four distinct high-achievement institutions (Science High Schools, Anatolian High Schools, and a Science and Arts Center) in the Ankara province. Data were gathered through a semi-structured interview form consisting of 5 demographic and 15 open-ended inquiries. The qualitative text was examined using thematic analysis to construct interconnected codes, subthemes, and overarching empirical themes. Inter-rater reliability was verified by an expert panel, yielding a Cohen's Kappa coefficient of 0.81, denoting excellent analytical stability. The empirical findings indicate that participants interpret traditional gender roles as structural barriers and decode violence as a systemic outcome initiated within domestic environments and reinforced through linguistic stereotypes. Crucially, while students demonstrate clear theoretical familiarity with Law No. 6284, they manifest structural pessimism and a sense of legal vulnerability regarding institutional enforcement and deterrence gaps. Furthermore, structural ignorance is identified as a primary catalyst for violence, prompting youth to adopt active roles as generational awareness ambassadors. Participants' solution models bypass traditional punitive retributions, focusing instead on preventative strategies such as systematic curriculum reform, digital activism, and horizontal peer networks. The study concludes that while a high baseline of critical civic consciousness exists among high-achievement youth, an evident lack of trust persists regarding judicial mechanisms.