Abstract

In this article the contribution to the debates, concerning gender and socioeconomic status influence on civic and political participation, is provided. Data was collected by a paper-pencil type questionnaire. The trust in democracy and in elections was measured by a Likert-type scale; political knowledge was evaluated presenting both national and international political positions, asking to match them with the appropriate personality from the list of Lithuanian and international personalities; political participation attitudes were evaluated by closed format dichotomous questions; civic participation was evaluated by closed format leading questions. According to the results of the survey, conducted in a Lithuanian higher education students’ population (N=1546), males do not differ from their female peers neither by civic participation, nor by political participation frequency, but they do differ by knowledge in national political context (females are better informed than males). On the other hand, civic and political participation frequency depends on students’ socioeconomic status. As a conclusion, it ought to be highlighted, that in most European countries scientists have noticed gender disparity in political structures. Usually this disparity is explained by gender specific socialization issues. According to survey results, gender inequality in political structures is more likely to be related with structural causes, promoting men and creating obstacles for women.