Gender-related Experiences Research Articles

The gender-related experience of frontline Israeli male social workers

SummaryThis article aims to further research on diversity within social work. It examines the gender-related experiences of frontline Israeli male social workers who practice within the context of ...

Measuring Gender Equality in Education: Lessons from Trends in 43 Countries

Measuring Gender Equality in Education: Lessons from Trends in 43 Countries

To Be or Not to Be a Woman? - Highly Educated Women's Perceptions of Gender Equality in the Workplace

The starting point of the paper is that highly educated women suffer less inequality in the workplace. To test it, both secondary and primary researches were conducted. Secondary data refer to the field of education, participation in knowledge-intensive activities, hierarchical status, and pay gap of highly educated women compared to men in selected European countries, while primary data reveal perceptions of highly educated women on women’s contextual career factors and personal critical incidents’ experiences concerning equality. The primary research was conducted on a sample of 675 highly educated women in Croatia. Results are tested for statistical differences according to respondents’ demographics and compared with highly educated men’s perceptions (n = 177). The secondary data reveal that gender segregation is less present among highly educated women. In general, the primary data imply that highly educated women do not perceive contextual factors to negatively influence their careers, even though they had some negative gender-related experiences. Paper concludes with equality initiatives recommendations based on research results, and interviews conducted with HRM and general directors from MNCs with best equality practices.

Gender Advantages and Gender Normality in the Views of Estonian Secondary School Students

Abstract The aim of the study on Estonian secondary school students was to obtain an overview of the gender-related views and experiences of the everyday school life by students, and to analyse the school-related factors in the development of gender roles and gender-related expectations. We view gender equality as a central condition for social sustainability. In the article, we focus on the perceptions and interpretations of the so-called normal boy and girl and the advantages of both genders at school. We analyse the experiences and the views of young people regarding their gender positioning in everyday school life vis-à-vis their views on gender equality. The survey used in the study consisted of 50 questions, mainly open-ended. It was conducted in 10 basic and secondary schools in grades 7, 9, 10 and 12, with a total number of 649 respondents. The open answers were analysed by applying the method of thematic qualitative content analysis. The findings reveal that the perceived advantages of both genders at school and the behaviour considered as normal at school are strongly related to traditional gender stereotypes. At the same time, students claim that they are primarily people with equal opportunities. We conclude that the belief in the ideology of gender equality outweighs personal gender-related experiences.

Gender inequity in the lives of women involved in sex work in Kampala, Uganda

BackgroundGender inequity is manifested in the social and economic burden women carry in relation to men. We investigate women's experiences of gender relations from childhood to adult life and how these may have led to and kept women in sex work.MethodsParticipants were drawn from an ongoing epidemiological cohort study of women working in high HIV/STI risk environments in Kampala. From over 1000 enrolled women, we selected 101 for a qualitative sub-study. This analysis focuses on 58 women who engaged in sex work either as a main job or as a side job. In-depth life history interviews were conducted to capture points of vulnerability that enhance gender inequity throughout their lives.ResultsMost participants were young, single parents, poorly educated, who occupied low skilled and poorly paying jobs. All women knew their HIV status and they disclosed this in the interview; 31 were uninfected while 27 said they were infected. Parental neglect in childhood was reported by many. Participants described experiences of violence while growing up sometimes perpetuated by relatives and teachers. Early unwanted pregnancies were common and for many led to leaving school. Some women stated a preference for multiple and short-term money-driven sexual relationships. Needing to earn money for child care was often the main reason for starting and persisting with sex work. Violence perpetrated by clients and the police was commonly reported. Alcohol and drug use was described as a necessary “evil” for courage and warmth, but sometimes this affected clear decision making. Many felt powerless to bargain for and maintain condom use. Leaving sex work was considered but rarely implemented.ConclusionsInequities in gender and power relations reduce economic and social opportunities for better lives among women and increase risky sexual behaviour. Interventions focused on these inequities that also target men are crucial in improving safer practices and reducing risk.

Bearing the Burden of Doubt: Female Coaches' Experiences of Gender Relations

Bearing the Burden of Doubt: Female Coaches' Experiences of Gender Relations

Gender Socialization in Chinese Kindergartens: Teachers’ Contributions

Teacher-child interactions and peer exchanges were observed once a week for 10 months in four kindergartens in Hong Kong, China. A total of 206 anecdotes/scenes considered representative of the gender-related experiences of 109 4-year-old Chinese children in these kindergartens were analyzed. Descriptive codes, generated iteratively were clustered, categorized, integrated, recoded and recategorized and led to the identification of two major themes related to the socialization practices of teachers: Gendered Kindergarten Routines and Perpetuation of Gender Stereotypes. Findings indicated that these early years’ educational contexts were not gender neutral. Teachers interacted with boys significantly more than girls. They also subtly conveyed traditional Chinese gender values through their repeated use of gendered routines in the kindergartens and their behaviors reflected gender stereotypes.

Token responses to gendered newsrooms

Female sports journalists work as tokens in gendered organizations where masculinity is integral to hierarchical logic and newswork processes. Through in-depth interviews, this longitudinal study explores how women in the industry manage their gendered and professional identities and make career decisions. Our findings suggest that although participants framed their decisions to stay or to leave in idealized terms, their choices were also guided by cultural and structural impediments acknowledged but accepted as natural and immutable. The women noted negative gender-related experiences, but most minimized them and saw their gender as an advantage. They also described their struggles to balance their work and social lives, the latter of which they saw as a necessary sacrifice to become ideal workers. We discuss these issues and suggest that sports media will fail to reach gender parity until these barriers are addressed; until then, the revolving door will keep turning.

Developmental Gender Differentiation

SUMMARY The authors review their Developmental Pathway Models that characterize normative gender differentiation during childhood. Particular attention is paid to the attitudinal pathway model that describes the routes by which children's gender attitudes guide the selection and impact of gender-related experiences for the self. The personal pathway model describes the ways in which children's own interests and skills may affect their gender-related attitudes about others. The authors identify opportunities for the emergence of various kinds of gender nonconformity in relation to the constructs and mechanisms in these models.

A generation apart? Gender-related experiences and health in women in early and late mid-life

There have been a number of critiques in the last few years of the prevailing paradigm of research on gender and health, which dominated in the latter part of the 20th century. One such criticism has centred on the ahistoric and decontextualised way in which much evidence for gender differences has been used. In this paper we aim to show that, even within a relatively confined geographical locale over a relatively short period of time, there have been substantial changes in gender relations which are likely to have affected the experience, opportunities, and attitudes of women born in the early 1930s and early 1950s. We illustrate this using data from a study of inequalities in health in Scotland, which includes unusually rich longitudinal data on gender, including occupancy and experience of gender-related roles, attitudinal data on gender equality, and measures of gender role orientation (GRO). These are related to various dimensions of health and health behaviour. The data show substantial differences in the experiences of two generations of women, who are just 20 years apart in age, and a lack of consistency between measures of GRO and health. Whilst on the one hand these data suggest the importance of taking more account of the broader (social, historical or political) context, the analysis also highlights the methodological problems posed.

Gênero e trabalho noturno: sono, cotidiano e vivências de quem troca a noite pelo dia

This paper deals with the impact of night work from a gender perspective, through a field study at a factory employing men and women on the night shift. It is based on data for hours of sleep over the course of several weeks, socio-demographic data, and job information, using a semi-structured interview. The methodology includes chronobiological aspects of sleep (mainly quantitative data) and workers' discourse concerning gender-related experiences in the day-to-night switch. Despite gender issues and differences in daily life, the switch is perceived quite vividly by both men and women, permeating several aspects of life, like health, leisure, studies, and intimate personal relations. Quantitative sleep analysis showed more severe effects of night work on women, especially those with children. Such sleep patterns were associated with different expectations among men and women, revealing gender issues that are essential for understanding the reality of individuals who work odd hours.

Gender differences in the recognition of depression in old age

Objective: The study should answer the question of whether identical symptom presentations of depression in male and female patients leads to similar recognition rates in primary care. Method: We performed a survey in primary care. Two written case vignettes were presented to 170 family physicians in a face-to-face interview which took place in their practices. The case vignettes described either a mildly depressed otherwise healthy old patient (case 1) or a severely depressed patient with somatic comorbidity (case 2). For each case different versions with regard to patients’ gender were used: in case 1 only the gender of the patient varied; in case 2 both the gender and the anamnesis (stroke/hypothyroidism) varied. Afterwards the interviewers asked standardised open questions. The physicians were not aware of the mental health focus and the gender focus of the study. Results: The study is representative with a response rate of 77.6%. For primary diagnosis, the female versions were given the diagnosis of depression more often. There was a non-significant trend that female physicians considered depression more often. Conclusion: The results show that gender-related experience and stereotypes on the physicians’ side influence the diagnosis of (old age) depression in primary care. Further studies should elucidate the influence of the physicians’ gender on the management of psychiatric disorders.

高校生のジェンダーをめぐる意識

高校生のジェンダーをめぐる意識

Shame, Women, and Group Psychotherapy

This paper addresses gender-related experiences of shame, focusing on the shame-prone woman. Specifically the varied manifest behaviors, dynamics, and defenses commonly observed in shame-prone women are described. It is recommended that the addition of group therapy to individual treatment, once the client is ready, can expedite progress for these patients, as they are more able to integrate previously disowned and shamed aspects of themselves. A number of potential problems when working with these patients in group are identified and explored.

Sex differences in gender-related childhood memories

Based on theories of gender development, especially the one proposed by Nancy Chodorow, it was predicted that boys' gender-related childhood memories will be different from girls' on five dimensions related to activity, emotionality, and sex appropriateness. Forty-five men and 45 women were asked to describe their earliest gender-related childhood memories. The memories were analyzed by two judges. The data document a significant sex difference in the activity and emotionality of the memories. Men's memories were more active and women's more emotional. The predictions that men's memories of sex-appropriate behavior will be more positive, will have fewer deviations from sex-appropriate behavior, and when such deviations occur, they will be associated with more negative emotions were not confirmed. It is suggested that childhood memories can be seen as reflecting actual differences between the sexes in childhood experiences, or as the result of a process of memory selection that reflects men's and women's different gender-related experiences as adults.

Perspectives on Gender and Professional Issues Among Female Physical Therapists

The purposes of this study were to identify gender-related values, perceptions, and experiences of female physical therapists as these factors relate to female physical therapists' professional development and to offer an initial critique of the identified elements in comparison with a traditional model of professionalism. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 physical therapists in two different states by the primary investigator. The interviews were analyzed utilizing qualitative data-analysis techniques, and a conceptual framework was developed from the literature and the interviews. Three major thematic categories were identified: (1) values, comprising the subcomponents of caring, relationship, empowerment, and context; (2) family role, comprising the subcomponents of enhancements, limitations, and coping strategies; and (3) sexism, comprising the subcomponents of leadership, money, and respect. These findings provide an initial basis for understanding more about factors that may both limit and enhance female physical therapists' professional development.

Gender and Public Opinion: Defense and Nuclear Issues in New Zealand

This article examines gender-based differences in the New Zealand public's view of defense and nuclear issues. During the last few years defense and nuclear concerns have become important political issues in New Zealand. Indeed, in 1984 the New Zealand government banned nuclear capable warships, almost all of which are American, from the country's ports. Public opinion about these matters is divided along gender lines. As has been discovered in other research, New Zealand women are more likely than men to either not respond to survey questions about foreign policy issues or, if they do answer, to express a pacific viewpoint on these issues. Age also affects nuclear and defense opinion. Age combined with gender has a dramatic impact of opinion differentiation: young New Zealand women are substantially more pacific than their older male compatriots. A linkage between these attitudes and behavioral preferences is also discussed. Through path analysis it is shown that gender does affect voting intention. The effect, however is indirect. It is mediated through a series of interrelated attitudinal clusters. Women are more anxious about the prospects and destructiveness of war. This perspective may well be a product of gender-related socialization experiences. This general anxiety shapes attitudes about the New Zealand government's ban on nuclear ships. Views toward the ban influence feelings about the relationship between New Zealand and the US which became strained after the controversy precipitated by the ban. These feelings of strained friendship, in turn, influence voting preference. Hence gender-based opinion differences appear to affect behavioral intentions, at least in New Zealand.