The main aim of this dissertation was to provide insight into possible subtle forms of bias in youth socialization by various socializing agents in the Netherlands, and exploring new ways to document bias. Additionally, it addresses the importance of using sound statistical methods for calculating effect sizes.
Social bias and unequal treatment of people can lead to structural societal inequalities. Findings in research on the sustained existence of bias have been inconsistent. These inconsistencies may obscure the importance of continuous effort to diminish inequalities. By studying subtle messages, this dissertation shows that bias is present in various contexts. Firstly, parents who talked about kissing and dating to their adolescent child subtly endorsed a sexual double standard, for instance by describing girls as sluts and boys as players. Secondly, in written evaluations by teachers on report cards of primary school pupils, positive bias towards White Dutch...
Show moreThe main aim of this dissertation was to provide insight into possible subtle forms of bias in youth socialization by various socializing agents in the Netherlands, and exploring new ways to document bias. Additionally, it addresses the importance of using sound statistical methods for calculating effect sizes.
Social bias and unequal treatment of people can lead to structural societal inequalities. Findings in research on the sustained existence of bias have been inconsistent. These inconsistencies may obscure the importance of continuous effort to diminish inequalities. By studying subtle messages, this dissertation shows that bias is present in various contexts. Firstly, parents who talked about kissing and dating to their adolescent child subtly endorsed a sexual double standard, for instance by describing girls as sluts and boys as players. Secondly, in written evaluations by teachers on report cards of primary school pupils, positive bias towards White Dutch girls was found. Lastly, prolonged media attention to a child sexual abuse case was found to negatively affect the attitudes of parents towards male babysitters.
As bias and discrimination change over time and context, continuous study is necessary. This dissertation demonstrates that using relevant and authentic data is an important tool in unveiling subtle bias.
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