Gender bias and gender equality beliefs in teaching efficacy profiles of Finnish physical education teachers

ABSTRACT

Homogeneous teaching efficacy profiles of in-service physical education (PE) teachers (N = 175) from a variety of educational institutions, elementary to higher education, were examined. In addition, associated gender bias and equality beliefs in PE were investigated. Three profiles (Low, Intermediate, High) were identified using cross-sectional data collected via an anonymous online survey. The PE teachers with the highest teaching efficacy reported the highest higher gender equality beliefs. In the low efficacy profile, females and PE teachers with a master’s degree scored higher on gender equality beliefs than males or teachers with other tertiary education, and longer compared to shorter teaching experience was associated with higher gender bias. In the intermediate and high teaching efficacy profiles, males reported higher gender bias beliefs than females, whereas longer service was associated with lower gender equality beliefs only in the high teaching efficacy profile. Teacher education may be the most effective channel to tackle gender bias beliefs in PE classes, which should be free from all types of discrimination.

KEYWORDS:

• School
• anti-discrimination
• integrity
• equity
• latent class analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture (Grants no: OKM/48/626/2017; OKM/75/626/2018; OKM/89/626/2019).

Notes on contributors

Arto Gråstén

Arto Gråstén (PhD in Sport Sciences, Master in Education) works as a Postdoc Researcher in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences within University of Jyväskylä, Finland and an Adjunct Lecturer in Health and Physical Education within University of Tasmania, Australia. His research comprises physical activity, physical education, motor competence, and self-determined motivation.

Juha Kokkonen

Juha Kokkonen (PhD in Sport Sciences) works as a University Lecturer at the Faculty of Education and Psychology within University of Jyväskylä. His research covers the topics of sport motivation, school and leisure time physical activity, and evaluation.

Marja Kokkonen

Marja Kokkonen (PhD in Psychology, M.Sc in Sport Sciences) works as a Senior Lecturer at the faculty of sport and health sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. She is a principal investigator in a research project PREACT that tackles various forms of discrimination in sport and physical education, funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture 2018-2021. She is also an expert member of the division of equality, equity, and sustainable development in the National Sports Council in Finland.