Women's Tomorrow: Examining Sex-based Discrimination, Future Expectations and System Justification Beliefs

Abstract

This study examines the association between discrimination due to sex and future expectations among female secondary vocational education students in the Netherlands while focusing on the influence of system justification beliefs (SJB) on this association – the belief that society treats everyone equally. Positive future expectations are crucial for mental wellbeing, as they positively influence adolescent development, resilience, and goal-setting. It was hypothesized that sex-based discrimination negatively impacts female students’ future expectations and that this association is negatively influenced by SJB. This cross-sectional study, including 653 Dutch female vocational students (Mage = 17.2), used validated self-report measures to assess sex-based discrimination, future expectations, and SJB while controlling for age via multiple linear regression analyses. Results showed a small significant negative association between sex-based discrimination and future expectations, indicating that women who experience sex-based discrimination have less positive expectations for their future. However, this association was not dependent on SJB. SJB were a significant predictor of future expectations themselves, indicating that women who believe society to be equal have more positive expectations for the future. These findings contribute to the scientific knowledge of these constructs and have important implications for policymakers. Interventions that reduce sex-based discrimination and support an equal society can improve future expectations among women. Future research should use a longitudinal design to establish causal relationships between the constructs and should use a heterogeneous sample for better generalizability. This study highlights the importance of creating an equal society where everyone, regardless of gender, can look forward to a brighter future.