Gender, Cultural Values, and Political Participation: A Comparison between Teachers and University Students in Uganda

Abstract

This study explored the influence of gender and cultural values on youths and adults participation in political activities. Schwartz ' s  1992 values survey was administered to 294 teachers and 434 university students during the  2011 presidential and parliamentary elections in Uganda. Results showed significant gender differences in political participation with male respondents being more involved in political activities than the females regardless of age groups. Males also significantly rated higher than the females on mastery and affective autonomy values while females rated higher on embeddedness and egalitarianism. Teachers were more involved in political activities than the students; and rated higher than students on mastery and hierarchy. The major reason for teacher ' s participation in political activities was ' to maintain the prevailing peace in the country ' and for the students was ' to cause change in leadership ' . Respondents that had registered to vote rated higher than those that had not registered on mastery values.