Research Article

Examining Preschool Teachers' Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels

Volume: 41 Number: 4 October 30, 2026
TR EN

Examining Preschool Teachers' Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels

Abstract

This study explores the interplay between preschool teachers' critical consciousness, gender role attitudes, and empathic tendencies. Employing a comparative correlational survey design, data were collected from 400 preschool teachers in Turkey using snowball sampling. The research utilized a demographic information form, the Critical Consciousness Scale, the Gender Roles Attitude Scale, and the Empathic Tendency Scale. The findings revealed a low but positive correlation between gender role attitudes, critical consciousness, and empathic tendencies. Male teachers demonstrated higher scores in the critical action subdimension, whereas female teachers exhibited higher scores in gender role attitudes and the sympathetic tendency subdimension. Furthermore, postgraduate participants scored higher in gender role attitudes and empathic tendencies compared to undergraduate participants. Additionally, they scored higher in critical reflection and the sympathetic tendency subdimension. These findings highlight the links between critical consciousness, gender role attitudes, and empathy in early childhood education, providing theoretical and practical implications for future research and educational policies.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No support was received from any institution for this research.

Ethical Statement

This research was carried out with the permission obtained with the decision numbered 787477, dated 02/04/2024 and decision number 104-04 of the Marmara University Institute of Educational Sciences Research and Publication Ethics Committee, and the study was completed in accordance with the approval of the ethics committee.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Early Childhood Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 30, 2026

Submission Date

October 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 41 Number: 4

APA
Gürkan, S. N., & Balaban Dağal, A. (2026). Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 41(4), 825-839. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1800725
AMA
1.Gürkan SN, Balaban Dağal A. Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels. Hacettepe University Journal of Education. 2026;41(4):825-839. doi:10.16986/hunefd.1800725
Chicago
Gürkan, Sude Naz, and Asude Balaban Dağal. 2026. “Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels”. Hacettepe University Journal of Education 41 (4): 825-39. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1800725.
EndNote
Gürkan SN, Balaban Dağal A (October 1, 2026) Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels. Hacettepe University Journal of Education 41 4 825–839.
IEEE
[1]S. N. Gürkan and A. Balaban Dağal, “Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels”, Hacettepe University Journal of Education, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 825–839, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.16986/hunefd.1800725.
ISNAD
Gürkan, Sude Naz - Balaban Dağal, Asude. “Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels”. Hacettepe University Journal of Education 41/4 (October 1, 2026): 825-839. https://doi.org/10.16986/hunefd.1800725.
JAMA
1.Gürkan SN, Balaban Dağal A. Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels. Hacettepe University Journal of Education. 2026;41:825–839.
MLA
Gürkan, Sude Naz, and Asude Balaban Dağal. “Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels”. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, vol. 41, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 825-39, doi:10.16986/hunefd.1800725.
Vancouver
1.Sude Naz Gürkan, Asude Balaban Dağal. Examining Preschool Teachers’ Critical Consciousness, Gender Role Attitudes, and Empathy Levels. Hacettepe University Journal of Education. 2026 Oct. 1;41(4):825-39. doi:10.16986/hunefd.1800725