Understanding gender attitudes among adolescents: A systematic review of international quantitative studies (2000–2024)

Abstract

Background: Adolescents’ gender attitudes shape not only their personal identities and opportunities but also the wider social systems they enter as future workers, citizens, and decision-makers. Despite increasing academic attention, no comprehensive synthesis has examined how these attitudes have been studied quantitatively over the past two decades. Objective: This review examines how adolescent gender attitudes have been studied using quantitative methods, focusing on the geographical scope, research aims, analytical strategies, and measurement practices. Methods: A systematic review of 134 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted, based on searches in Web of Science and Scopus. Results: Findings indicate a substantial increase in publication output, alongside pronounced regional imbalances in the English language quantitative literature. Studies are predominantly drawn from Asia, North America, and Europe, with fewer contributions from Global South contexts, where relevant research may be published in other languages or regional outlets. In addition, the field relies heavily on established measurement instruments and shows limited theoretical engagement, while school and intersectional contexts remain underexamined, limiting the ability of existing evidence to inform policy and systemic change. Conclusions: Future research requires updated and context-sensitive measures, stronger theoretical grounding, and methodological innovation. Such advances are essential to support inclusive education, sustainable development, and effective management of gender equity in social systems.