ABSTRACT

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate Kazakh youth’s perspectives on gender roles and the influence of traditions and religious beliefs on these views. Specifically, this study examines how university-educated Kazakh youth negotiate gender norms at the intersection of family traditions, Islamic teachings, higher education, and global influences. Methodology. The methodological rigor of this study is derived from in-depth interviews to arrive at qualitative analysis and demonstrate that retraditionalization in Kazakhstan is not a linear return to the past but a hybrid process combining cultural continuity with modern aspirations. The sample comprised university students and graduates aged 20 to 35 years. The study utilized theoretical underpinnings including Kandiyoti’s concept of patriarchal bargains, Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity, and Kudaibergenova’s work on hybrid retraditionalization, Results Findings reveal that family traditions and religious narratives continue to reinforce patriarchal expectations, yet individual agency and exposure to global discourses challenge these norms. Universities and social media act as ambivalent sites, simultaneously reproducing stereotypes and fostering empowerment. The results also highlight the ambiguous standards surrounding the gender equality In the Kazakh society, resulting in divergent perspectives; and how gender roles, ingrained from childhood, reinforce male authority and are shaped by familial and religious contexts. The findings also revealed that university education has the potential to challenge patriarchal values since some faculty members still endorse traditional norms, thereby perpetuating male superiority. Implication for research and practice. The study implies that higher education is expected to advance gender equality by empowering women and positioning them as catalysts for societal transformation beyond conventional roles in the Kazakh context. The study also contributes to understanding how gender norms are reproduced and contested in Kazakhstan.