The Gap Between University Students and Their Parents and Its Relationship to Gender and Parents' Educational Level: A Study considering Technological and Social Changes

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the nature of the gap between university students and their parents as perceived by university students, and its relationship with both the students’ gender and the parents’ educational level, considering technological and social changes. The study sample consisted of 511 students randomly selected from Al-Hussein Bin Talal University during the second semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. To achieve the study objectives, University Students’ Perceived Gap with Their Parents Scale, developed by the researchers, was administered. Methodology: The study employed the descriptive-analytical method, as it was suitable for addressing the study’s objectives. Results: The findings indicated that the perceived university students and their parent’s gap was moderate at both the overall scale level and across its dimensions, with the technological gap being the highest and the value-based gap the lowest in mean scores. The results also revealed gender-based differences in favor of males, while no differences were found according to the parents’ educational level. Conclusion: Based on these findings, the study recommends enhancing family communication and dialogue through guidance programs aimed at reducing the gap and supporting mutual understanding. (185 Words)