Family Structure and Female Enrollment into Engineering and Technology Programmes in English Speaking State Universities of Cameroon
Abstract
This study seeks to find out the influence of family structure composition and gender beliefs on female enrolment in to Engineering and Technology programmes in the English speaking state universities in Cameroon. The methodology used in this study was an explanatory sequential mixed method design where data were collected from 276 students from the two universities and an interview administered to 10 parents whose children are enrolled in any engineering or technology department within the two English speaking state universities in Cameroon. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire administered to the students and an interview guide administered to the parents. The data collected were analyzed descriptively and Point Biserial Correlation Analysis was also used to find the relationship between Family Structure Composition and Female Enrolment in Engineering and Technology Programmes. Paired Sample T-Test was also used to find out if gender within the family has an impact on enrolment in engineering and technology programmes and finally a Binary Logit Regression was used to show the impact of family structure on Female Enrolment in Engineering and technology Programmes. Findings from this study indicates that there is a weak relationship between family structure composition and female enrolment in engineering and technology. Indicating that performance in sciences and subsequent enrolment in engineering and technology by female students are supported by other factors other than the family structure. Paired sample T-Test and Binary logit regression analysis indicates a strong family belief system that female children should pursue the art discipline and this beliefs had a significant impact on female enrolment in engineering and technology fields. Parents should be encouraged to devote the same amount of their resources in educating their girl child as they do for the male children. House chaos and other constrains should be adequately managed within the family during school periods and negative family beliefs that have an impact on the schooling of the girl child should be avoided.
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