Gender differences in unsafety perception and precautionary behaviour among adolescents: Case study of a small peripheral town in Slovakia

Abstract The aim of this study is to question gender stereotypes regarding differences in the unsafety perceptions and perceived threats of adolescents, with a special emphasis on their precautionary behaviour. This research was based on emotional mapping in the very small peripheral town of Fiľakovo (Slovakia). Altogether, 151 adolescents in the age of 10–16 years were asked to mark places where did not feel safe, along with perceived threats, as well as information on precautionary strategies they use there. Regardless of the time of day, neither girls nor boys felt significantly less safe, with residential location and age playing a more important role in unsafety perception differences than gender. Girls perceived significantly more people-related threats than boys (regardless of daylight), while boys were aware of significantly more risk in buildings, streets, and places with negative associations (after dark). Avoidance, dependence, and self-reliant precautionary behaviours were identified. Regardless of daylight, girls chose dependence (e.g. calling someone, having a companion) among other types of precautionary behaviour significantly more often than boys. Avoidance and self-reliance were gender neutral. The perception of girls as perceiving more risks and being more avoidant is showed to be a form of gender stereotype and should not be considered a generally valid paradigm.