Gender-based Stereotypes Research Articles

Bilinguals in social and emotional contexts: How positive and negative moods shape stereotype judgements in bilingual women

Purpose: The study offers insights into the interplay between mood and the language of operation in the context of stereotype judgements in female bilinguals. Methodology: Participants were presented with gender stereotypically congruent and incongruent sentences in their L1 (Polish) and L2 (English). They performed a stereotype congruency judgement task while their behavioural responses were being recorded. Data and analysis: The speed and accuracy of participants’ responses were measured and analysed using linear and generalised mixed-effect modelling, respectively. Findings: Our results indicated that bilinguals’ positive and negative mood states may interact with the language of operation, irrespective of stereotype congruency. We observed a facilitatory effect on response times of a positive relative to negative mood in L2 as opposed to L1. Such findings point to strong internalisation of gender stereotype in L1, with the behavioural responses remaining unaffected by mood changes, as well as decreased internalisation of gender stereotypes and their weaker accessibility in L2 compared to L1. Originality: The study is the first to illuminate the complex interplay among mood, language of operation, and stereotype activation, enhancing our understanding of the cognitive processes underpinning social judgements in bilingual speakers. Significance: The reduced accessibility of gender stereotypes in L2 might carry important consequences for various domains such as social interactions, politics, and employment situations, where L2 may serve as a tool for encouraging gender equality and diminishing gender-based stereotypes and biases.

Care workers, collectivisation and protest: a case for feminist and anti-capitalist resistance against the state

Nation-wide organised protests by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), arguably the backbone of India's fragmented healthcare system, form a watershed moment in feminist protest in India by centring demands for the regularisation of their ‘voluntary’ and undercompensated work. This distinct subaltern group (the ASHAs) engages with the state through dynamic political protest. This article critically explores the protest strategies adopted by ASHAs to better understand feminist protest on the Indian political landscape. It adopts a reflexive method of inquiry by unpacking how ASHA policy perpetuates institutional patterns of gender-based occupational segregation and how ASHAs, in turn, navigate and respond to these challenges. Somewhere between victimhood and agency, ASHA workers have reclaimed a site of struggle and resistance. Indeed, in the face of gender-based discrimination, ASHA workers are agitating on their own terms. A postcolonial feminist lens allows us to explore the axes of resistance adopted by ASHAs, including their medium of protest, which offers a space for different performative strategies: the self-sustained and self-contained leadership and mobilisation in which ASHAs reject gender-based stereotypes, exclusion, disadvantage and discrimination; and the use of protest to build sites of resistance, solidarity and negotiation. This theoretical framework offers valuable insight by shifting focus away from judicial strategies and towards ASHA workers as ‘protesters’ and as authors of their own narrative.

Socialising the Frequency Code: Effects of gender and age on iconic associations of pitcha).

Burgeoning research has shown the pervasiveness of sound symbolism, a type of iconicity, in language. However, little work looks at how individual experiences and beliefs affect sound symbolic associations. We investigate pitch associations under the Frequency Code, which links high vs low pitch to small vs large body size and female vs male gender (via sexual dimorphism), long claimed to underlie "universal" meanings like submissiveness vs dominance. While such associations appear widespread, the Frequency Code assumes ideological links, e.g., between dominance and masculinity, which differ between individuals and cultures. In Implicit Association Task experiments with English-speaking listeners, we show high pitch is implicitly associated with small size and female gender, and low with large and male, following the Frequency Code. Crucially, though, the strength of these associations varies by social factors. Associations are stronger for male voices and listeners, particularly older men, as ideologies related to the Frequency Code (linking large size, strength, and dominance) tend to be stronger for men. The association of pitch with gender is stronger than with body size, reflecting stronger gender-based stereotypes. This work shows that social experience shapes and reinforces iconic associations, with important implications for how iconic meanings develop and are processed.

‘Your Analysis Is as Useless as Your Ovaries’: Women Football Fans’ Experiences on Social Media

This article provides an original contribution to the field of sports fandom by investigating the experiences of women football supporters on X (formerly Twitter). Drawing on data from an online survey of 1624 women supporters of UK-based men’s football teams, the study examines their digital interactions, gendered challenges, and subsequent coping strategies. Significantly, this study is the first to apply and extend Pope et al.’s (2022) Model of Men’s Performances of Masculinities, offering a new theoretical perspective and refinement of the original model. Through a thematic analysis, the results reveal the gendered dynamics that shape this specific sporting environment, highlighting the crucial role of social media in facilitating football-related discussions and promoting fan communities. At the same time, the study exposes the gender-based stereotypes, abuse, and discrimination that women face when expressing their identities and opinions within male-dominated football spaces. These insights not only advance understanding of gendered interactions in sports fandom but also call for enhanced measures to ensure safer online environments for women football fans.

Investigating Gender-Based Stereotypes in Advertisement Landscape: A Multimodal Analysis of an Indian Town

Abstract This study examines the prevalence of gender stereotypes in outdoor advertising within an Indian satellite town, focusing on the portrayal of women and men in stereotypical gender roles. Images of outdoor advertisements were collected from the busy streets and subjected to purposive sampling for analysis. The analysis was done with critical discourse analysis and multimodal discourse analysis. The results reveal a clear endorsement of men in powerful and high-status positions, while women are consistently depicted as objects and confined to traditional roles as homemakers. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of addressing gender issues, not only for cultural understanding but also for recognizing the pervasive influence of gender-based social conditioning, which undermines the foundation of an equitable society.

Conceptualising constructive resistance as a thriving strategy for men in nursing.

Nursing has improved over the centuries from the physician's handmaiden to a recognised profession. Yet, the image of a nurse is often associated with notions of caring and nurturing- attributes considered feminine. Indeed, cultural, and societal biases exist that can deter men from entering the nursing profession where their sense of masculinity is questioned. Several studies have highlighted the existence of gender-based stereotypes, stigma, rejection, loneliness and discrimination which impact the retention of men in the nursing profession. Despite the established evidence regarding negative experiences, it appears limited attention has been paid to the men who decide to stay in nursing: how do they thrive in a profession wherein biases are evident within and in the wider societal context? Undoubtedly, several factors such as job security and financial incentives may contribute to men remaining in nursing. Beyond these, we borrow the notion of 'constructive resistance' to underscore that though the biases may be apparent, male nurses are able to construct alternatives that accommodate the image of a man in the nursing profession. Strategies such as developing the image as a 'super nurse' can create opportunities for male nurses to be preferred by other healthcare providers as well as female nurses. Thus, although resistance may usually appear as a negative phenomenon, constructive resistance represents hidden advantages which offers an opportunity to retain male nurses. These need to be highlighted and explored more as they can offer deeper insight into strategies that can be employed to improve retention and representation of men in nursing particularly at a time when the impact of nursing shortage remains a global issue.

Are Women Sports Journalists in Spain Truly Progressing or Facing “Pseudo-Progress”?

Sports journalism has become one of the news products with the most significant social reach in the press, radio, television and digital media. Despite the significant presence of women in journalism, they continue to face gender-based stereotypes. In Spain, not very many women can effectively access the labour field of sports journalism, and those who do find themselves in a space dominated by men, which results in a perpetuation of the existing imbalances in society. The main objective of this study is to analyse the evolution of the roles developed by women journalists in the article-production aspect of the Spanish sports press between 2010 and 2022. We use quantitative content analysis, studying the articles published in Marca and Mundo Deportivo during the second week of June in 2010, 2014, and 2018, and the third week of November 2022; in each of these years, the men’s FIFA World Cup was played. The results of this study show that: (a) women journalists have an almost invisible role in the production of articles, and (b) rather than progress, women are facing “pseudo-progress”, a more appropriate term for the appearance of a change that is not actually occurring.

A rapid realist review on leadership and career advancement interventions for women in healthcare

Women represent 70% of the global health workforce but only occupy 25% of health and social care leadership positions. Gender-based stereotypes, discrimination, family responsibilities, and self-perceived deficiencies in efficacy and confidence inhibit the seniority and leadership of women. The leadership inequality is often compounded by the intersection of race and socio-economic identities. Resolving gender inequalities in healthcare leadership brings women’s expertise to healthcare decision making, which can lead to equity of healthcare access and improve healthcare services. With the aim of enhancing women’s advancement to leadership positions, a rapid realist review (RRR) was conducted to identify the leadership and career advancement interventions that work for women in healthcare, why these interventions are effective, for whom they are effective, and within which contexts these interventions work. A RRR ultimately articulates this knowledge through a theory describing an intervention’s generative causation. The Realist and Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards (RAMESES) for conducting a realist synthesis guided the methodology. Preliminary theories on leadership and career advancement interventions for women in healthcare were constructed based on an appraisal of key reviews and consultation with an expert panel, which guided the systematic searching and initial theory refinement. Following the literature search, 22 studies met inclusion criteria and underwent data extraction. The review process and consultation with the expert panel yielded nine final programme theories. Theories on programmes which enhanced leadership outcomes among women in health services or professional associations centred on organisational and management involvement; mentorship of women; delivering leadership education; and development of key leadership skills. The success of these strategies was facilitated by accommodating programme environments, adequacy and relevance of support provided and programme accessibility. The relationship between underlying intervention entities, stakeholder responses, contexts and leadership outcomes, provides a basis for underpinning the design for leadership and career advancement interventions for women in healthcare.

The Experiences of Male Nursing Students at North-West University: Insights from Mafikeng Campus

Men in nursing are still seen as unusual for being in a profession that the society perceives as suitable only for females. There is also the notion that men have difficulty caring, traditionally, men are resilient and often are told "men do not cry", they are not supposed to show emotion, if they do, they tend to be considered weak. Men who choose nursing as a career not only risk challenging gender-based stereotypes but gender roles defined traditionally as well. The purpose of this paper was to explore the experiences of male nursing students at NWU (MC) and the empirical evidence suggests that there is still much to be done in institutions of higher learning to enable male nursing students to also feel a sense of belonging in their respective nursing programs. The study utilized qualitative research method in exploring the issues of gender with a particular focus on masculinity and it has uncovered the concept of hegemonic masculinity. Structured interviews were employed, and the data was transcribed and analysed through content analysis. A comprehensive search of the literature from different disciplines reveals deeper issues than just the commonly held assumption that nursing is not masculine. The findings of the study suggest that Connell’s theory of masculinity should not attempt to balance supposedly masculine and feminine qualities, but to challenge the assumption that masculinities are predominantly masculine or feminine. Recommendations include institutions creating campaigns that will ensure that only students that are passionate about nursing are recruited and implement strategies that will improve the experiences of male nursing students in institutions of higher learning.

Male nursing students’ experiences of their clinical internships: A qualitative study

BackgroundNursing has traditionally been a predominantly female profession; however, there has been a gradual increase in the proportion of male nursing students in recent years. Male nursing students may encounter distinct challenges within clinical settings, potentially impacting their physical and mental well-being. AimThis study aims to explore the clinical internship experiences of male nursing students and provide them with adequate support for their successful adaptation to clinical roles. MethodsThis study used a descriptive design and qualitative approach. The participants were enrolled using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. ResultsMale nursing students’ experiences of their clinical internships were described through the following themes: (1) dynamics of working as a nurse, (2) not just a male nursing student, (3) gender-based stereotypes, (4) balance between forte and failing, (5) difficulties and challenges when working in hospitals, and (6) lessons learned and knowledge needs. ConclusionsOur research findings have significantly enhanced our comprehension of male nursing students' experiences and offered valuable recommendations for both nursing education and clinical practice. Simultaneously, these results provide essential information support for nursing educators and hospital administrators.

A Study on Gender Discrimination

Abstract: Gender discrimination still exists in India, even with significant progress made in certain areas. It can take many different forms, such as unequal access to education, unequal compensation for work of equal value, and deeply rooted cultural customs and practices. Gender-based violence, including domestic abuse and sexual harassment, still affects a lot of women. In addition to experiencing pervasive discrimination, members of the LGBTQ+ community also encounter social and legal obstacles that keep them from exercising their rights and being accepted. Gender discrimination remains a complex issue that is deeply linked with historical and cultural components, necessitating ongoing work towards gender equality, notwithstanding legal initiatives and public awareness campaigns. A new research on gender discrimination among undergraduate students in Bangalore uncovered unsettling trends. The study, which employed surveys and interviews, demonstrates how common genderbased biases and prejudices are among female students in both social and academic contexts. Some of the examples of unjust treatment that female students brought up included less rigorous requirements for their academic accomplishment and less opportunities for leadership positions in student organizations. Furthermore, a large number of female students expressed feeling uncomfortable and unsafe on campus as a result of sexual harassment and gender-based stereotypes. In addition to highlighting the need of combating gender discrimination and advancing inclusivity in educational institutions, this study highlights the need of fostering a friendly and fair learning environment.

Gender, Sexism, and Contempt in Candidate Evaluation

ABSTRACT Several recent studies have shown that the emotion of contempt, which is often linked to negative appraisals of competence and integrity, is the most important negative emotion in some electoral contests. Furthermore, gender-based stereotypes and prejudice have been shown to cause voters to evaluate female candidates in ways that seem contemptuous, i.e. as inferior and having undesirable traits. In this study, we analyze how sexism and gender-based prejudices may influence voters’ emotions (especially their levels of contempt) in response to female political candidates in general and to those who violate gender norms. We find strong differences in emotional responses between sexist and nonsexist voters.

Mapping Personality Traits and Gender-Based Stereotypes on Perceived Negotiation Skills

Implementing effective dispute resolution strategies such as negotiation has proved to be quite effective whenever there is a divergence of interest between two conflicting groups. This study aims to see if gender-based stereotypes or specific personality traits can positively or negatively influence negotiation skills in an attempt to improve the negotiation process, whereby individuals could be trained to adopt specific behaviors to obtain more favorable negotiation results. Using the expectancy violation theory (EVT) to analyze how individuals respond to unanticipated violations of social norms and expectations whilst negotiating, a quantitative study was carried out among legal officers working in private, public, and parastatal organizations in Mauritius. The sample size, 270, was calculated based on a population size of 899 as per records of the Mauritius Bar Council. The results demonstrate most legal officers were equipped with good negotiation skills, with no significant difference between males and females (U = 1138.50, p > 0.05), while a high level of neuroticism was indicative of poor negotiation skills (τb = −0.167, p > 0.05). These findings demonstrate that participants agreed that their negotiation skills were influenced in gender-dominated meetings which align with the principles of the EVT, the violation of certain expected negotiation behavior based on gender impact negotiation outcomes. Since negotiation skills were significantly associated with negotiation outcomes (χ2(4) = 37.963, p < 0.05), this provides pointers to businesses on how to improve and optimize negotiation outcomes by choosing a negotiator with the most apt personality traits.

STEMM unveiled: Female undergraduates’ journey through gendered stereotypes – A qualitative exploration

Despite significant progress in gender equality, pervasive gender stereotypes and discrimination persist worldwide. These ingrained perceptions, based on gender, contribute to the disadvantage experienced by women in multiple areas of their lives. This is especially evident in female professionals studying and working within male-dominated fields like Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM), where the representation of women collectively amounts to less than 17% in Australia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how female undergraduate students in STEMM fields conceptualised gender-based stereotypes within their academic programs, and how these experiences shaped their outlook on being women in a field that defies traditional gender norms. Employing an exploratory qualitative approach grounded in the social constructionist, and feminist, perspectives, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 female undergraduates in STEMM disciplines, aged between 19 and 43, from Australian universities. An inductive reflexive thematic analysis of the data led to the construction of four themes that contribute to the comprehension of how female undergraduates recognise and manage prevalent gender-based stereotypes during the early stages of their professional journeys. Participants recognised their gender and its related traits as a drawback to their presence in STEMM, and felt that these attributes did not align, leading to a sense of academic disadvantage. The prevalence of male supremacy within STEMM was acknowledged as originating from the embedded patriarchal system within these fields, granting undeserved advantages to male undergraduates, enabling them to perpetuate a narrative that solely favours them.

Female Empowerment in Film: The Expression of Contemporary Female Consciousness in the Movie Barbie

Barbie, one of the most noteworthy films of the year, gained significant attention and achieved great box office success. Several feminists initiated discussions about the film. The movie offers a unique perspective compared to other movies targeted towards women. Specifically, the focus is on the personal development of women by depicting women as protagonists in social contexts, which is an approach to analyzing the inner world of women. Barbie represents an important moment in the history of women's cinema. However, public attention towards Barbie has overshadowed the film's plot. Barbie challenges gender-based stereotypes present in the larger society as well as those specific to Barbie, women, and women's cinema. Furthermore, she serves as a role model and a beacon of excellence for women's cinema. The director and screenwriter have taken a courageous step in their journey toward deconstructing patriarchal norms through carefully orchestrated countermeasures. This analysis employs a comprehensive range of sources, including interviews, to scrutinize the character and film from a unique perspective. The study not only examines the movie but also provides a constructive dialogue evaluating women's cinema and their narratives. Ultimately, this exceptional piece of cinema encourages much-needed changes.

Mitigating methanol: how a deadly plant became a beloved resource

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes of this study are to estimate the complexities associated with the management of a novel business idea in the context of emerging markets; to demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurial action and strategic adaptation under various challenges of the business world; to apply the principles of design thinking and innovation to analyze the sustainability of a social enterprise; and to evaluate the pros and cons of different strategic options and provide viable recommendations for future development. Case overview/synopsis Many riverine communities in Nigeria battled water hyacinth spread for decades, until Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro contributed her time, creativity and innovation to resolve the issue. She sacrificed her successful computer science career in the USA to launch her social enterprise, MitiMeth. The startup aimed to resolve the unaddressed environmental problems of her home country and to provide a decent living to the vulnerable community of indigenous artisans. This case study discusses Idachaba-Obaro’s efforts in researching the alternative usages of the water hyacinth weed under the condition of a limited availability of resources. Considering Nigeria’s creative arts culture and dismal socioeconomic conditions, she chose to weave the weed into handmade artifacts by educating herself and training local artisans to manufacture and sell handicrafts in the market. To receive financial support and attract environmentally conscious customers, Idachaba-Obaro had to participate in funding competitions, regularly attend exhibitions and partner with private entities, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and government authorities. This case study further elaborates on multiple hindrances associated with female entrepreneurial activities in a conservative Nigerian society characterized by marginalization, social stigma and gender-based stereotypes. Despite many challenges ensuing from a limited market access in rural areas, high unemployment rates and low levels of disposable incomes in the country, MitiMeth ambitioned to maintain its culture of creativity and innovation. The team regularly studied materials used and conducted brainstorming sessions with artisans to launch new items, improve existing products and incorporate needed alterations based on customer feedback and special demands. MitiMeth made its notable contribution toward the achievement of several sustainable development goals, while striving to continuously increase remittances to working artisans. Recently, the company was challenged by the vertiginous technological advancements of the digital era, as many businesses around the globe used machines to upscale their operations. Idachaba-Obaro pondered whether she should use technology in product manufacturing processes or focus on her commitment to provide a livelihood to local artisans and preserve the authentic look-and-feel of handmade crafts. Complexity academic level This case study is for an upper-level undergraduate audience. Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CCS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Delving Into Feminine Stereotypes: Female CEOs and the Corporate Social (Ir)Responsibility–Firm Performance Relationship

In this study, we advance a more nuanced view of gender-based stereotypes about female chief executive officers (CEOs) to shed light on the divergent findings about outcomes associated with their firms’ actions. We draw on gender stereotyping literature and its delineation between prescriptive and descriptive gender stereotypes— how women ought to be/act versus how they actually are/act—to theorize that not all female CEOs embody the same prescriptive feminine ideals and, thus, variance in how they are perceived may affect outcomes manifesting from certain firm actions. Specifically, we theorize that there also exists a “double-edged” sword among female CEOs such that the more a female CEO is seen as descriptively aligning with prescriptive ideals of feminine actions and perceptions, the stronger the associated outcomes for their firms will be, whether positive or negative. We test how perceptions of communality and attractiveness—the two most desirable prescriptive perceptions for how women ought to be—affect the corporate social responsibility (CSR) and irresponsibility (CSiR) to firm performance relationship, which align, or fail to align, respectively, with desirable prescriptive feminine actions of helping or hurting others and society. We find that the more a female CEO descriptively aligns with such communality and attractiveness prescriptions, the stronger the CSR and CSiR to firm performance relationship will be. The results of our study suggest that the gendered beliefs to which female CEOs are subjected are more nuanced and complex than the current literature explains, contributing to theory and practice alike.

“I am a Child!”: Public Perceptions of Black Girls and their Punitive Consequences

AbstractHow do race and gender stereotypes affect public support for the punishment of Black girls? Across the USA, Black girls are suspended, expelled, arrested, and detained by educational and criminal justice institutions at disproportionate rates. Despite this, there is little research in political science investigating what drives this phenomenon. This paper uses original survey experimental data to examine how stereotypical public perceptions of Black girls shape support for their punishment and punitive policy more generally. We join previous research in finding race- and gender-based stereotypes intersect to produce a distinctive set of public perceptions rooted in the “adultification” of Black girls. In general, Black girls are seen as acting older than their age, more dangerous to others, and more experienced with sex than their peers. But, in an important extension, we also link these adultification stereotypes to support for harsher punishments for Black girls than for their peers and to support for punitive school policies more generally. Together, these findings point to the importance of understanding the intersectional nature of racialized and gendered public attitudes and help to draw the empirical link between the adultification of Black girls and support for their disproportionate punishment among the American public.

Internal Factors Influencing Gender-Responsive Monitoring in Non-Governmental Organizations

Studies have shown that there is no information on gender-responsive monitoring systems in non-government agencies and that such systems leverage the realization of sustainable goals, outcomes and impacts of programs. A study was conducted at the Norwegian Church Aid Ethiopia (NCAE) to assess the internal factors influencing gender-responsive monitoring in organization. Data were collected from the staff of NCAE using a questionnaire that was administered on 30 technical staff and interviews with the senior management team. The results of the revealed major internal factors which the staff of NCAE perceived to be influencing gender-responsive monitoring in the organization, including mainstreaming gender in the strategic plan; mainstreaming gender in budgeting processes; mainstreaming gender norms and gender awareness concerns in day-to-day employee supervision; and mainstreaming gender in situational analysis and assessments. The results of the revealed that that major internal challenge faced by in promoting gender-responsive monitoring was gender-based stereotype. The study recommends NCAE to adopt the internal factors which the employees perceived to be the major ones in influencing gender-responsive monitoring in the organization mainly mainstreaming gender in the strategic plan; mainstreaming gender in budgeting processes; mainstreaming gender gender awareness in day-to-day supervision; and mainstreaming gender in research. The study recommends NCAE to address challenges faced in promoting gender-responsive monitoring, mainly gender-based stereotypes.

The role of humanitarian celebrities in volunteer tourism: Exploring their representation on Instagram

Humanitarian celebrities have become influencing agents within humanitarian aid-related contexts such as volunteer tourism, especially with the increase in social media platforms. However, few scholars have analysed the relationship between humanitarian celebrities and volunteer tourism in an online scenario. Therefore, this article explores how humanitarian celebrities portray volunteer tourism experiences on social media, in particular on Instagram. To this end, this paper collects all available Instagram posts of 27 well-known celebrities acting as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors. These posts are examined through a content analysis based on an inductive approach. The results highlight that humanitarian celebrities reproduce voluntourism's colonial and gender dynamics, especially in their posts about international trips with UNICEF. Given the influence power of such celebrities, negative impacts derived from their pictures and messages may come to be reflected in voluntourists' motivations and behaviours. Therefore, this article proposes to develop a code of ethics and/or conduct concerning humanitarian celebrities' online presence to avoid reproducing colonial and gender-based stereotypes in volunteer tourism.