Digital Divide and Gender Disparities in Educational Technology Access Among Rural Tamil Nadu Households: A Multi-theoretical Analysis
Summary. This study of 378 rural Tamil Nadu households found stark gender disparities in educational technology access: 68% of boys but only 35% of girls had access. Female gender reduced access odds by 79% even after controlling for other factors. The research identified four mechanisms perpetuating inequality: gendered risk perceptions, time constraints from domestic chores, strategic resource allocation favoring boys, and gendered technology identity. Maternal education emerged as the strongest protective factor. The authors recommend multilevel interventions addressing infrastructure, school programs, maternal schooling, and household attitudes.
Cite this article
Balasundaram, E., Gajendran, A., S., K. A., Raj, D. S., & A., K. S.. (2026). Digital Divide and Gender Disparities in Educational Technology Access Among Rural Tamil Nadu Households: A Multi-theoretical Analysis. International Journal of Rural Management. https://doi.org/10.1177/09730052261420528
Balasundaram, Elamurugan, et al. “Digital Divide and Gender Disparities in Educational Technology Access Among Rural Tamil Nadu Households: A Multi-theoretical Analysis.” International Journal of Rural Management, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1177/09730052261420528.
Balasundaram, Elamurugan, A. Gajendran, Kannan A. S., Daniel Santhosh Raj, and Krishna Sudheer A.. 2026. “Digital Divide and Gender Disparities in Educational Technology Access Among Rural Tamil Nadu Households: A Multi-theoretical Analysis.” International Journal of Rural Management. https://doi.org/10.1177/09730052261420528.
@article{balasundaram-2026-digital-divide-gender-disparities-educational,
title = {Digital Divide and Gender Disparities in Educational Technology Access Among Rural Tamil Nadu Households: A Multi-theoretical Analysis},
author = {Elamurugan Balasundaram and A. Gajendran and Kannan A. S. and Daniel Santhosh Raj and Krishna Sudheer A.},
journal = {International Journal of Rural Management},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1177/09730052261420528},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/09730052261420528}
}
TY - JOUR TI - Digital Divide and Gender Disparities in Educational Technology Access Among Rural Tamil Nadu Households: A Multi-theoretical Analysis AU - Elamurugan Balasundaram AU - A. Gajendran AU - Kannan A. S. AU - Daniel Santhosh Raj AU - Krishna Sudheer A. JO - International Journal of Rural Management PY - 2026 DO - 10.1177/09730052261420528 UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/09730052261420528 ER -
Details
- DOI
- 10.1177/09730052261420528
- Countries
- India
- Regions
- Asia
- Categories
- broadband-and-digital, education, regional-innovation-systems, general-innovation
- Added
- 2026-04-29