Shyness Trait Among Adolescents

Does Gender Play Some Roles?

Abstract

The study examined gender differences in shyness trait manifestation among two hundred and forty (240) adolescents in Awka, Anambra State Nigeria. To deepen the understanding of the expected differences, gender specific child rearing practices in Igbo culture was reviewed. The participants consist of male 119 (49.6%) and female 121 (50.4%). Their ages ranged from 13 - 16 years with the mean age of 14years and the standard deviation of 1.1. Participants were selected from five secondary schools. 13 item the revised Cheek and Buss shyness scale was used for data collection. The study is a cross-sectional survey and independent t-test was used to analyze the data. The result showed that there was no gender difference in adolescents' shyness at F (1,138) = 034, P>.05.  The discussion focused on the need to neutralize some of the cultural expectation that creates dichotomy in gender orientation and role.