Gender Expectations Research Articles

Cognitive flexibility's role in shaping self-perception of aging, body appreciation, and self-efficacy among community-dwelling older women

BackgroundCognitive flexibility, the capacity to adjust to new information, affects how aging is perceived. In Egyptian culture, older women’s views on aging are shaped by societal gender roles and expectations. These views influence their body image and belief in their abilities, all melded by cultural standards and values.AimInvestigate the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between self-aging perception, body appreciation, and self-efficacy among community-dwelling older women. MethodsA correlational analytical design was used on 200 women aged 60 years or older using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Self-Perceptions of Aging, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Body Appreciation Scales. Structural equation modeling was used in the analysis.ResultsThe study found that cognitive flexibility is positively related to self-perception of aging and body appreciation and is also significantly related to general self-efficacy. However, no significant relationship was found between body appreciation and general self-efficacy. Additionally, the study found that cognitive flexibility partially mediates the relationship between self-perception of aging and body appreciation and fully mediates the relationship between body appreciation and self-efficacy.ConclusionCognitive flexibility is vital in the relationships between self-perceptions of aging, body appreciation, and self-efficacy among older women. Therefore, nursing interventions targeting cognitive flexibility are recommended to promote positive self-aging perceptions, body appreciation, and self-efficacy in this population.

Two Rings and a Doctorate: Gender and Marital Status in the Pursuit of Ph.D. Success in Moroccan Universities

This study provides a qualitative examination of the intersected impact of gender and marital status on Ph.D. success for both men and women in Morocco. Utilizing semi-structured interviews with 20 married doctoral students from both genders across three Moroccan universities, the research revealed a significant divergence in the lived experiences and Ph.D. success indicators of married men and women. Men were generally encouraged by gender expectations, which often served as a motivator in their academic journey, whereas women faced hurdles due to these expectations, as their academic roles often collided with traditional roles as wives and mothers. Both genders, however, reported struggles in maintaining work-life balance, with women experiencing more challenges due to social expectations and conventional gender roles. This research emphasized the importance of a strong support system and a conducive home environment for academic success. Cultural context significantly influenced the participants’ academic journey, stressing the need for societal change and redefinition of traditional gender roles. The findings suggest the need for institutional and societal efforts to establish a supportive infrastructure for all Ph.D. students, irrespective of their marital status or gender.

Unveiling Societal Discord: An Analysis of Contemporary American Drama through "A Streetcar Named Desire"

This research aims to explore and dissect the intricate layers of societal discord depicted in the iconic American play, "A Streetcar Named Desire." Focused on understanding the socio-cultural landscape of mid-20th century America as reflected in the characters and their interactions, the study seeks to unravel the underlying tensions, conflicts, and societal shifts that resonate with the contemporary audience. The overarching objectives of this study revolve around a comprehensive exploration of the societal elements intricately woven into the fabric of the play shedding light on their reflective nature vis-à-vis the cultural milieu of post-World War II America. This researcher adopts a qualitative approach, employing close textual analysis and critical literary theory to delve into the layers of societal discord within "A Streetcar Named Desire." Primary data will be drawn from the play's text, supplemented by scholarly articles, historical documents, and relevant secondary sources. The analysis will be guided by key themes such as gender, class, and societal expectations, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cultural context embedded in the play. The dramatic techniques employed by Williams contribute to a nuanced portrayal of societal tension, inviting audiences to contemplate the evolving social landscape. The findings prompt discussions on the enduring relevance of the play's themes in contemporary society. Through the lens of "A Streetcar Named Desire," this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on the Intersectionality of societal norms and individual experiences, challenging viewers to reflect on the implications of societal discord on personal identity and relationships. In conclusion, Tennessee Williams skillfully weaves a narrative that transcends its temporal setting, inviting audiences to confront and contemplate the complexities of societal expectations.

A Comparative Feminist Study of Subalterns in Adichie's Americanah and Darzink's Song of a Captive Bird

The present study explores the issues of oppression and gender identity in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah and Jasmin Darznik's Song of a Captive Bird. This study examines Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak's subaltern theory that views how women suffer from oppression and gender identity in a patriarchal society. The postcolonial feminist research method is employed in the study to analyze how the two female authors present the struggle of women living in patriarchal cultures. From different views, this study uses close textual analysis to examine the narratives of Ifemelu and Farrokhzad and their respective struggle with societal expectations about gender roles. The findings of the study indicate that both authors address the issue of oppression and gender identity through their respective narratives. The authors' works show how gender norms and expectations limit women's opportunities and agency in Nigerian and Iranian societies. This study also highlights how patriarchal culture contributes to the anguish of Nigerian and Iranian women, creating additional barriers to their empowerment and fulfilment. This study concludes that the works of both female writers provide valuable insights into the struggle of women living in patriarchal societies and call for a re-examination of gender roles and societal expectations to promote gender equality and empowerment.

Dis/re-orienting design through norm-critical gender lenses: an educational case in Turkey.

Design, as a practice of developing solutions beyond products, and increasingly services and policies, inevitably poses an impact on gender (in)equality which remains largely unrecognized by design practitioners. This paper advocates the urgent need for adopting gender lenses in design education for sustainable cultural transformation through proper recognition of the complexity of any societal and cultural issue, power relations and inequalities, and introduces an initial attempt through a graduate-level educational design project. Throughout the project, students critically reflected on existing orientations in designing to develop norm-critical gender lenses, contained the resultant disorientation emerging from the contrast between their critical approaches and local contexts, and explored novel directions as reorientation to address four different societal and cultural issues and develop 11 design outcomes aiming at gender equality, social justice-oriented empowerment, and cultural transformation. The authors analyzed the design processes and outcomes to reveal opportunities and challenges for developing and deploying norm-critical gender lenses in tackling complex, intersecting socio-cultural and political issues, under three themes: gender stereotypes, norms, expectations, and roles; intersectional power relations and inequalities embedded in the social structure; and social justice-oriented empowerment beyond the market-oriented individualistic neoliberal order. A shift in the perceptions of the role of designers, from creator/problem-solver to facilitator/participant, and design outcomes, from absolute solutions to intermediaries of sociological and political imaginations, is found crucial in this endeavor, which requires safe spaces for future designers to reflect on existing orientations, contain disorientation with negative capability, and explore novel ways through reorientation.

Challenging Gender Roles and Expectations in Outdoor Field Experiences

Summary Though field experiences require equitable contributions from each member in order to be successful, western socialized gender norms often find themselves playing out as participants who identify as women tend to take the “caretaker” role in tasks such as campsite setup and cooking while those who identify as men often focus on the technical aspects of the activity itself. This case study explores how this frequent dynamic can be challenged and leveraged as an opportunity to more broadly identify how socialized gender norms negatively impact society as a whole. Information © CAB International 2024

Field, Habitus and Capitals from Narratives of Unemployed Men with Families

This article proposes as a transversal axis the analysis of masculinity in unemployed men with families. The aim of this article is to analyse the connotations of field, habitus and capitals based on the narratives of unemployed men with families. In order to answer this question, an interpretative paradigm research with an exploratory multiple qualitative case study design with seven lower middle-class men from Bogotá, Colombia, is proposed. By means of a semi-structured biographical interview in which categorical analysis was carried out after axial coding. In the results, the hegemonic expectations of the male gender are recognised as explicit, which are linked to the ideal of well-being that cannot be fulfilled. Social class is dynamic, maintaining constructed fields and hegemonic gender habitus apprehended and stripped of symbolic capital. These conditions together reveal that masculinity is constructed on the basis of hegemonic expectations of what is expected of men within the social structure. It generates tension to assume the change of the field, habitus and capitals at the moment of unemployment.

“It’s a Show that Everybody Puts On”: Enacting Femininity in Southern Sorority Rush

ABSTRACT Rush, the week-long process of recruiting for and joining historically White National Panhellenic Conference sororities, is an emotionally heightened process characterized by gender expectations and formal rules that both define a status system and place women into it. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 19 women affiliated with eight National Panhellenic Conference sororities at a large public university in the South, as well as one Greek Life administrator, we examine how women’s own goals, cultural expectations, and the formal organization of rush interact to shape enactments of femininity. We argue that social factors at both cultural and institutional levels motivate and reward a hegemonic femininity whereby women leverage racial and class privilege to gain status over other women within a system that subordinates women to men.

Cinematic Contrasts: Gender Dynamics In Workplace Leadership

With a focus on the contemporary dynamics of gender roles and expectations at workplaces, this THEMATIC ANALYSIS aims to examine the contrasting depictions of male and female characters in positions of power and authority. Study analyses a curated selection of 10 Bollywood movies from various genres between 2013 and 2023, and sheds light on gender depiction in workplace leadership and the underlying societal narratives. It delves into the nuanced characterizations, narratives, and storytelling techniques employed to depict workplace authority from male and female perspectives. The study illuminates how cinematic portrayals of gender-centric power dynamics in work settings have evolved and shaped audience perceptions, societal expectations, and aspirations. Furthermore, it explores whether the films reinforce or challenge conventional gender stereotypes. The findings provide valuable insights into the evolving gender role dynamics, power, and leadership in Indian popular culture and lay the groundwork for future research and dialogue on gender equality at workplaces and in media representation. Keywords: gender roles, movies, leadership, gender stereotypes, societal norms

Cinematic Contrasts: Gender Dynamics in Workplace Leadership

With a focus on the contemporary dynamics of gender roles and expectations at workplaces, this THEMATIC ANALYSIS aims to examine the contrasting depictions of male and female characters in positions of power and authority. Study analyses a curated selection of 10 Bollywood movies from various genres between 2013 and 2023, and sheds light on gender depiction in workplace leadership and the underlying societal narratives. It delves into the nuanced characterizations, narratives, and storytelling techniques employed to depict workplace authority from male and female perspectives. The study illuminates how cinematic portrayals of gender-centric power dynamics in work settings have evolved and shaped audience perceptions, societal expectations, and aspirations. Furthermore, it explores whether the films reinforce or challenge conventional gender stereotypes. The findings provide valuable insights into the evolving gender role dynamics, power, and leadership in Indian popular culture and lay the groundwork for future research and dialogue on gender equality at workplaces and in media representation.

Breaking boundaries in festival programming

In Germany, the modern jazz festival programmer descended from earlier multifaceted roles established during the interwar and war periods as cultivated by both German and international jazz critics, record collectors, and impresarios. While impresarios historically occupied multiple roles as fans, critics, and producers; they often inhabited the quintessential cosmopolitan role of (white) male jazz critic and discoverer of Black musical creativity. This article examines the impact of the legacy of this archetype in the German context, with the case study of JazzFest Berlin. In particular, we trace the particular contours of Joachim-Ernst Berendt’s (1922–2000) embodied enactment of masculinity within the postwar German jazz festival world, beginning with the seminal founder of the JazzFest Berlin. Drawing on feminist initiatives of the first American women jazz organizers, we compare this female-centric legacy with the particular style and ideologies created by Berliner Jazztage programmer Nadin Deventer, the first female programmer of this historic festival, who brings an innovative and socially engaged approach, in part by staging less constrained gender expectations. Through interviews and an examination of publications, programme reviews, and more, we reveal how the figure of the jazz impresario has been disrupted by increased attention to the roles of professional women programmers who consciously embrace diverse competencies and seek greater recognition of the intersectional barriers for women, women of colour, and foreigners within the German jazz scene.

The neurofunctional basis of human aggression varies by levels of femininity

ABSTRACT Aggression can be categorized into reactive aggression (RA) and proactive aggression (PA) based on their underlying motivations. However, previous research has rarely identified the relationship between femininity and RA/PA, and there is a lack of understanding regarding the femininity-related neurofunctional basis of these aggressive behaviors. Thus, this study first examined the relationships between femininity and aggression, then explored the aggression-by-femininity interactions on the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations using resting-state fMRI among 705 university participants (mean age = 19.14 ± 0.99). The behavioral data indicated that femininity was more negatively associated with RA and PA when masculinity was controlled for. Additionally, the neural data revealed that femininity-specific relationships of RA in the left middle occipital gyrus (i.e. individuals with low femininity had positive relationships between RA and the left middle occipital gyrus, whereas those with high femininity had negative relationships) as well as of PA in the left middle frontal gyrus (i.e. individuals with high femininity showed significant negative relationships, whereas those with low femininity did not exhibit significant relationships). These findings reflect that individuals with varying levels of femininity exhibit distinct neural bases when expressing different subtypes of aggression, which are associated with societal expectations of gender.

Investigating Urban Inequities: Unveiling Women’s Struggle against Discrimination in Literary Narratives through a Feminist Lens

This scholarly investigation critically examines the nuanced challenges confronted by women in contemporary urban landscapes within the contextual framework of India. The study undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the ubiquitous discrimination encountered by women that extends beyond socioeconomic demarcations. The spectrum of challenges encompasses intricacies, such as economic disparages, societal norms, gender-based violence, and the overarching phenomenon denoted as the ‘feminization of poverty’.Within the purview of feminist analysis, this examination accentuates the imperative of recognizing and understanding the intersectionality inherent in the challenges confronting women in urban environments. The study underscores the interwoven nature of diverse forms of discrimination, shedding light on the complex interplay of factors that contribute to the perpetuation of gender-based disparities in urban settings. The socioeconomic underpinnings of discrimination are discerned through an exploration of economic disparities prevalent in urban spaces. This inquiry delves into the systemic barriers that impede women’s access to economic opportunities and financial resources, elucidating how such disparities contribute to the perpetuation of gender-based inequalities. Societal norms, as a focal point of analysis, are interrogated for their role in reinforcing discriminatory practices against women. The study scrutinizes the prevailing cultural and social norms that perpetuate gender roles and expectations, elucidating their impact on shaping the experiences of women in urban contexts. A paramount consideration in this analysis is the examination of gender-based violence as a pervasive manifestation of discrimination within urban settings. The research delves into the various forms of violence inflicted upon women, ranging from physical and psychological abuse to systemic and institutionalized forms of gender-based discrimination. Through this exploration, the study elucidates the deleterious effects of such violence on the overall well-being and agency of women in urban environments. The concept of the feminization of poverty is critically evaluated as a theoretical framework that encapsulates the gendered dimensions of poverty prevalent among women in urban locales. This examination contextualizes the multifaceted ways in which poverty disproportionately affects women, delineating the intricate relationship between economic deprivation and gender-based disparities. This academic endeavor therefore underscores the necessity of adopting a feminist lens to comprehensively analyze and address the challenges faced by women in contemporary urban settings in India. By highlighting the intersectionality of these challenges, the study seeks to contribute to an enhanced understanding of the complex dynamics that underscore women’s experiences in urban environments. Moreover, the research emphasizes the resilience and collective agency demonstrated by women in their concerted efforts to reshape urban spaces towards inclusivity and empowerment.

Unravelling the tensions: exploring the interplay of paid care work, family obligations, and transnational care among Zimbabwean migrant care workers in the UK

ABSTRACT An increasing number of studies have examined the impact of migration on reconciling familial care obligations with demanding paid care work. However, much of this research focuses on women who employ migrant care workers and ignores the experiences of migrant care workers balancing their jobs with their own familial responsibilities. As a result, little is known about how migrant care workers navigate local contexts, form families, and manage work and childcare in destination countries while maintaining commitments at home. This paper explores the family dynamics and transnational lives of Zimbabwean migrant care workers in the UK. It draws on qualitative interviews with 10 participants to elaborate on the additional challenges they face in reconciling paid care work with localized and transnational family care. The analysis highlights that migrant workers must simultaneously respond to the care demands of their families and employers, often causing tensions as gendered care expectations are challenged. To manage these difficulties in balancing work and family, Zimbabwean care workers employ various strategies that sometimes strain familial relationships. This study provides insight into the intersection of migrant care workers’ paid labour and familial care obligations across borders.

I Learned to Pick My Battles: Girls Dissenting in Oil Country

In this paper I explore how girls living in a community economically reliant on the extraction of fossil fuels navigate gender expectations, loyalties, ideologies and moralities within their family structures, their places of employment and their affective communities. I describe how girlhood(s) within resource dependent communities are composed of and configured through the social, political, and economic conditions of extractivism, and the social relations that exist within these material conditions. The meeting of the material conditions of resource extraction and the social relations that exist within these environments, can be understood as “zones of entanglement.” An exploration of girls’ lives within these zones of entanglement, highlights how girls maneuver within the processes of social acceptance, belonging and notions of the “good life” by engaging in various strategies that work to create opportunities, while also reinforce foreclosures. These strategies include moving between speech and silence, learning to pick their battles, taking up space, and engaging in care-work. Through engagement in various strategies girls learn to protect themselves while maintaining opportunities for hope, connection, and transformation in their own lives, and in their interdependent relationships and attachments.

Promotion focus is valued in men more than in women

SummaryIn this research, we test the hypothesis that promotion‐focused eagerness does not yield the same evaluative benefits in the workplace for women as it does for men. Regulatory focus theory suggests that promotion‐focused eagerness potentially casts a person in a favorable light in the eyes of superiors. Nevertheless, we propose that promotion‐focused eagerness violates the prescriptive gender‐stereotypical expectations that people have of women. The gender deviance (i.e., not acting in line with gender expectations) that occurs when a woman is promotion‐focused causes this woman to pay a “gender tax” that a promotion‐focused man does not pay. First, we conducted two experiments wherein managers (N = 127) or students (N = 236) evaluated qualified fictional job applicants: in both experiments, compared with an identical male applicant, the promotion‐focused female job applicant was valued less, as evidenced by a lower starting salary offer. Second, in a dyadic study (N = 474 dyads), male employees' promotion focus was positively associated with their manager's evaluations of them, whereas female employees' promotion focus was not. Our results show that promotion‐focused women are not valued as positively as their male counterparts.

In Search of Medea’s Atypical Motherhood in Euripides’ Medea: Cultural and Historical Perspective

This research aims to highlight the common traits of atypical motherhood portrayed in Euripides’ tragic play, “Medea” focusing on the character of Medea. The study explores the contrast between revenge and motherhood, showcasing how Medea challenges the traditional maternal roles which often emphasize nurturing and protective qualities. Medea challenges these norms and Conventional expectations through her complex and controversial actions by navigating the intricate interplay between love, revenge, and societal norms. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating literary analysis, psychoanalytic perspectives, and cultural studies to unravel the layers of Medea’s action. Through a detailed analysis of Medea’s character, the paper examines subtle representations of motherhood, revealing the tensions between maternal instinct and the pursuit of individual agency. Additionally, the research investigates how cultural and historical context of ancient Greece influenced the construction of maternal roles in the play. By delving into the character of Medea, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding motherhood within the context of classical Greek literature. Furthermore, it invites reflection on the enduring relevance of these themes in contemporary discussions on gender, power, and societal expectations. Through this exploration, the paper aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of maternal roles in classical literature and stimulate discourse on the portrayal of atypical motherhood in ancient narratives.

ROOTS, ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS: A HISTORICAL INSIGHT

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that was designed to be the more feminine sister discipline of women’s artistic gymnastics. Its roots, however, are embedded in a male hegemonic European history that manipulated elements of dance, physiology and pedagogy. Key role players were François Delsarte, Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, Isadora Duncan and George Demeny who greatly influenced the development of rhythmic gymnastics. These individuals extended previous work of the earlier gymnastics pioneers – Johan Guts Muths, Ludwig Jahn and Per Ling. Since its inception as a competitive sport in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the 1940s, rhythmic gymnastics expanded greatly until it was officially recognised by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) in 1962. In 1963, the first World Championship competition was held and the sport gained increased international traction. This study aims to investigate social and political factors that contributed to the development of rhythmic gymnastics, from its origins in the European systems up to its recognition as an independent sport in 1973. We conclude our article with the supposition that the sport did not directly challenge male hegemonic systems, but that women in this sport started shifting gender expectations and norms.

Management accountants—A gendered image

It has been argued that masculinity in the field of accounting is in flux and that new gendered expectations may be emerging. This study takes an important step toward a discussion on management accountants’ gendered image and broadens understanding of masculinity in the field of management accounting. The question it raises is whether the notion of hegemonic masculinity is dominant in the image and whether the image might be expanding. A qualitative case study of a global technology company was conducted, drawing on 100 of its job advertisements for management accountants and 31 semi-structured interviews with its management accountants and operational managers. The findings revealed that even though some caring attributes, such as empathy, were constructed as important, causing the hegemonic masculinity to seem softer, the image of the ideal management accountant predominantly aligns with hegemonic masculinity, more specifically with transnational business masculinity and entrepreneurialism, which emphasize business performance and maximization of the self. The dominance of hegemonic masculinity leads to the colonization of “othered” bodies, namely women in management accounting. The results critique mainstream management accounting research, which considerably lacks gender analysis.

Emotional Expression and Women's Career Development in the Workplace: Gender Stereotypes and Gender Differences

This paper investigates the negative and positive effects of emotional expression in the workplace on women's career development, and finds that the antecedent variables are gender stereotypes and differences in gender expectations in the female workplace. Through the method of literature review, it is found that there is a lack of analysis of the mechanisms and pathways to intervene in gender stereotyping in the workplace, and it is suggested that in the future, we should explore how to realize career development from the perspective of women's self-development.