Gender Roles on Social Networking Sites: Investigating Reciprocal Relationships Between Normative Parenting and Idol Parenting

Abstract

Present study is to measure the perception about “gender roles on social networking sites: investigating reciprocal relationships between normative parenting and idol parenting,” The main objective of the study is, “To explore the better role of parenting idol verses normative.”  The current study also explores the role of Social network sites in construction and maintaining of gender roles in society. Theoretical background is drawn from, Gender Identity theory and concept of Framing from the Agenda Setting theory of Media. Quan-Quan research Design is employed in the research Quantitative survey and quantitative content analysis research design is used to investigate the phenomena, Data collected from the respondents of big five cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta) of Pakistan from the sample size of 450 from each city, selected through multi-staged sampling technique. Moreover content analysis of the 100 posts of Facebook is conducted from 20 Facebook pages of gender roles selected through purposive sampling technique. Results of the One-Sample Test indicates perception about SNS shapes Gender identity to bring change is significant which is reflection of the society; validates the research hypothesis, “It is perceived as Social network sites helps in maintaining and constructing gender identity.” Further test of ANOVA on Father in normative role can nurture his family better then in Idol role showed insignificant result, whereas mother in normative role are perceived highly better than her idol role.