The Perception of Students towards Women and the Perception of Women Themselves about Their Role and Status in Lebanese Rural Communities

Abstract

The paper explores the perception of students enrolled in Lebanese rural schools towards the role of women within their communities and the perceptions of women themselves about their capabilities, challenges, and realistic situation. In total, 69in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers and students in the North, South, Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon and analyzed using thematic analysis method. The results showed that the majority of students and mothers recognized the limited role of the Lebanese woman in the rural communities and the challenges she is facing. No noticeable difference in the findings was remarkable among the different regions. The fact that students underestimate the role of their mothers in their communities is alarming. Thus, interventions that target parents and children's mindsets/skills focusing on healthy childrearing practices and women's education, social skills, and self-esteem are needed.