Comparative Study of Perception of College-Going Boys and Girls Towards Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship equips youth with creativity, problem-solving skills, and financial independence. It drives economic development and empowers them to shape a better future. The primary objective of the present research was to conduct a comparative analysis of the perception of college-going boys and girls towards entrepreneurship, with a specific focus on Jammu and Kashmir. The study aimed to explore gender-based differences in entrepreneurial attitudes, motivations, and challenges to provide insights for policy interventions and educational reforms. A stratified random sampling was used to select participants from a college. The sample comprised of 100 respondents (50 males and 50 females) to ensure statistical reliability. The data was collected using a structured Google Form questionnaire, which was distributed through online platforms such as WhatsApp. A chi-square test was conducted to compare the differences in entrepreneurial perceptions between male and female students. There was no statistically significant difference between genders in terms of entrepreneurial awareness but statistically significant association was found between gender and the preferred sources of entrepreneurial information, entrepreneurship opportunities, awareness of government policies and entrepreneurial motivations. No significant gender-based differences was found as far as awareness of financial and legal knowledge, preferred business sectors and support system and training needs for entrepreneurship were concerned. Based on the results of the study, the recommendations were suggested to educational institutions and policymakers to consider developing tailored programs that incorporate both personal mentorship opportunities and robust online resources to foster entrepreneurial skills across the student population. Institutions should enhance awareness, training, financial literacy, digital networking, and policy support to foster inclusive student entrepreneurship.