Smoking and gender differences in adolescence

Abstract

The aim of the study was to trace any gender differences in students' smoking habits and related attitudes. Since there are marked differences between males and females, this study aimed at investigating whether smoking habits, attitudes and related behaviours are also gender based. The context was that of adolescents in local secondary schools amongst which boys' schools and girls' schools as well as co-ed private schools were researched. In this research it was found that unlike the trend in Europe, boys smoke more than girls. The research on the whole yielded results which show discernible differences between girls and boys. Whilst girls seem to use smoking as a social tool, boys smoke because they are addicted and consequently because they feel the need. Generally speaking girls are also more prone to peer pressure and thus making peer pressure an extremely dangerous influence in their smoking behaviours. Girls also seem more vulnerable when members of the opposite sex are concerned, making boys another dangerous influence in girls' smoking behaviours. On the other hand results show that boys are very much influenced by physical activity and sports, making sports a very important factor where smoking cessation and the disadvantages of smoking on physical performance are concerned. As for girls results have shown that they are mainly influenced by physical appearance and aesthetics and thus making the effects on smoking on the skin and body more accentuated.