Visualizing Gender Disparities: Analyzing Academic Video Content on YouTube in India

Abstract

YouTube has emerged as a promising platform for education, especially during the pandemic. Being a
new and interactive media, it is expected that the content in these educational videos on YouTube will
be democratic and free from gender biases. Numerous reports have highlighted the existing gender
gaps. According to the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index Report, India’s ranking (2021) has
slipped to 140 out of 156 countries and 112 out of 153 in 2020. This research paper aims to highlight
the ground reality of gender discrimination through educational videos that disseminate knowledge to
children. COVID-19 has given a massive boost to online education. Despite using the latest technology,
these videos promote the same patriarchal values in the minds of young children. In the educational
videos selected by the researcher, men are shown as the breadwinners and family heads, whereas
women are mostly shown in their traditional roles of caregivers.