Changing Gender Roles Research Articles

Temporal dynamics of post-feminist narratives: boundaries of empowerment in female-focused car ads (1967–2021)

Abstract This study critically examines post-feminism through a 50-year analysis of car advertising targeted at women in Chile. It explores feminism’s evolving significance in media culture, aiming to establish a comparative framework to identify changes and consistencies in feminist-themed media discourses over different periods. Using a qualitative approach, we analyzed 74 ads from a women’s magazine from 1967 to 2021. The results reveal changing gender role discourses, showing a nuanced interplay between progressive components and neo-conservative principles across historical periods. The evolution of female-focused advertising within post-feminist narratives depicts portrayals of women isolated or alongside family, highlighting individuality but implying limited representations of collective empowerment. The findings underscore the need to analyze media messages aimed at women in shifting temporal contexts. We argue that analytical frameworks must critically assess the progression, or lack thereof, in women’s (misleading) emancipation amidst the transitions from commodity feminism to post-feminism and femvertising.

SOSIOHISTORIS MASYARAKAT ARAB KUNO DAN MODERN PERSPEKTIF GUSTAVE LE BON

This article presents a comprehensive historical overview of the lives of ancient and modern Arab societies, focusing on their nature, customs, and the changes that took place in various aspects of their lives. Through research into historical sources such as Gustave Le Bon's "Hadorotul Arab" and various relevant documentation, this article aims to provide a better understanding of the development of Arab civilization and the changes that occurred in Arab society over time. The review covers the social, economic, cultural and lifestyle aspects of Arab society in the past and present. The result of this study is that in ancient times, Arab societies were characterized by a relatively isolated and conservative nature. They lived in villages and tribes, with strong customs and traditional values. The social and economic aspects of ancient Arab society were influenced by their nomadic life and reliance on trade and livestock. However, as times changed, modern Arab society underwent a significant transformation. Arab cities became centers of economic and cultural activity, with increasingly open lifestyles and adaptation to outside influences. Social, economic and political changes have affected their daily lives, with changes in family structure, gender roles, education and employment. Modern Arab societies are also faced with challenges and changes due to globalization and modernization. They interact with new technologies and have greater access to information. Islam remains a strong cornerstone in the lives of Arab societies, with values such as modesty, justice and social care continuing to be upheld. However, religious interpretations and practices may vary among Arab societies, depending on the historical, cultural and environmental contexts in which they live .

Money and values in couples: a cross-welfare system comparison of gender values

PurposeMoney management practices among couples from 27 countries were studied to understand how they reflect egalitarian values. The welfare system was used as a classification criterion, to account for the distinct socio-political contexts in which couple relationships are formed.Design/methodology/approachThe data are sourced from the 2012 Survey on Family and Changing Gender Roles of the International Social Survey Programme. The analytical strategy used has been binary logistic regression.FindingsThe results demonstrate that participation of the woman in the household economy and financial decision-making indicates higher levels of egalitarian values in the couple. Couples who distinguish between a common fund and individual funds demonstrate more egalitarian values than those who have only a common fund. Besides, symmetry in the couple in terms of the income level of each partner increased the probability of having more egalitarian values. Greater equality was found among couples who resided in countries with a Mediterranean welfare system.Originality/valueThe paper makes an original contribution to the field of sociology and social policy by focus on couples' money management and improve understanding of the finance-well-being nexus.

Gendered Uptake of Sustainable Intensification Practices among Maize Commercializing Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Districts of Uganda

Commercialization of food crops, such as maize can dynamically shift control over productive resources or accrued income from women to men. This can restrict women’s ability to access or buy productive inputs. However, scanty information is available on how changing gender roles and relations can affect smallholder farmers’ use of sustainable intensification practices. This study described how gender inequalities in access to resources and appropriation of gains affect the uptake of sustainable intensification (SI) practices among maize commercializing farmers in eastern Uganda. Qualitative Survey data collected from a random sub-sample of 72 (36 women and 36 men) maize farmers from 584 maize commercializing smallholder farmers survey participants, was subjected to thematic content analysis. It was intended to follow up four unique profiles of farmers; those who did not use SI practices, the ones who used only intensification (improve maize varieties and fertilizers) or sustainable practices (organic manure and maize-legume intercrop), and those who used joint, one or more sustainable intensification practices. Findings revealed all four profiles to be highly gendered. Only women did not use any SI practice, and only men used intensification practices due to gender roles, responsibilities, and tasks shaped by traditions that give men terminal control over productive assets and gained resources. Both men and women used sustainable and sustainable intensification practices because of the negotiation process and opportunities that gave women more rights over resources. Thus, social-cultural histories and values constrain married women from implementing innovations such as SI practices because these values restrict women’s authority over productive resources. It is recommended that for inclusive transformative interventions to be introduced successfully in rigid patriarchal contexts, it is vital to enhance the negotiation skills of women.

Gender equality in a Chinese rural tourism destination: perspectives of females and males

Gender equality is an important UN sustainable development goal. With tourism often encouraging and favoring female participation, relationships between tourism and gender equality have attracted much research attention. However, being dynamic and highly contextual, the multi-faceted complex of gender and tourism interactions are relevant to both males and females. Therefore, nuanced and contextual case studies incorporating perspectives of both genders is critically needed for gender research in tourism. Drawing from previous research, dimensions of gender equality are deconstructed into gender roles, perspectives, and relationships. Yudong Village, Zhejiang Province, China, was selected as the study site. Field investigations were used, primarily involving semi-structured interviews with multiple actors. Females and males were interviewed to acquire and compare their involvements in and perspectives on tourism and its influences on gender issues. Positive tourism influences on three dimensions of gender equality were acknowledged by both genders. Relationships among changes in gender perceptions, roles and relationships were examined. Agreements and differences between genders and across generations are discussed. Such changes rippled from family circles to rural communities through tourism enhanced social networks and business relationships. This research contributes to a gender balanced understanding of tourism impacts on gender equality. Practical implications are discussed.

The Symbolic of Female Body in the Anti-Japanese War Painting in China

From 1931 to 1945, Japan launched a 14-year war of aggression against China and it had a profound impact on China’s politics, economy, and culture. One of the reactions or responses from Chinese society to this tragic event is through art, especially in painting. However, most of the paintings in the Anti-Japanese War are dominated by male subjects and females only appear as a supporting role in the composition. The objectives of this study are to describe the female body through Chinese Anti-Japanese War paintings from the 1970’s and to interpret the meaning of signs and symbols through a conceptual framework that has been built from relevant concepts. This study adopts a qualitative research strategy that makes use of observation and documents as its main research methods. This study shows that these visual artworks reflected the social transformation and changing gender roles in culture at that time. The female body in these visual works conveys multiple meanings such as bravery, tenacity, and sacrifice.

Gender Roles in Transition: A Study of Women Issues and the Changing Role of Gender in the Feminist Literature from the Progressive Era

The purpose of this study is to explore the role of women in the Progressive Era through different stories written during similar times, as well as to develop deeper insight into the social and emotional impact on the personal freedom of women. During the 1900s, women were considered inferior in a patriarchal society. They were subdued and discriminated against in all walks of life, and they were obliged to perform family duties and society. Before the Progressive Era, women were oppressed and treated as second-class citizens. They were considered only wives and mothers, created only to obey and serve their husbands, to look after their children and to take care of the household. As women's attitudes changed, reform movements gained momentum in the late 19th century. American women were no longer seen as mothers or wives confined to their homes; rather, societal change demanded that they be educated, work and contribute to the social order. As a result, the Women’s rights movements in the 19th century and the Feminist Movements in the early 20th century were involved in a series of efforts to fight for the restoration of gender equality. Thus, female roles in American society in the Progressive Era changed drastically in terms of education, job opportunities and improved living conditions. The objective of this study is to examine and analyze the women characters, their issues, as well as the changing gender roles in the works of Charlotte Gilman, Kate Chopin and Susan Glaspell based on the structural elements, using qualitative research with documentation technique.

Research note: Gender and educational differences in childcare time: Evidence from the Czech Republic

Objective: This study explores the gender and educational differences in the time spent on childcare in the Czech Republic. In particular, we ask how gender and educational gradients in parenting time intersect and whether they vary by the child’s age. We consider the time parents spend in basic, interactive and focused childcare care as a way to address the intensive parenting model. Background: Prior research has documented an increase in parental time investment in childcare associated with changes in gender roles and the spread of norms of intensive parenting. However, it remains unclear whether educational and gender differences in parenting time are converging because of these changes and how they vary by the child’s age. Method: Using time-use data from the Czech Household Study Panel Study—a nationally representative sample from the Czech Republic (2015)—we applied mixed regression models to analyse time spent on three types of childcare activities. Results: The results indicate that highly educated parents allocate more time to basic and focused care, reflecting a commitment to intensive child-centred parenting. In addition, higher-educated fathers of preschoolers engage more in interactive care. Although gender disparities persist among higher-educated parents, the gap narrows for parents with children older than three years. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of analysing parenting time across different activities and child ages to understand family dynamics and child opportunities.

Intersectionalities and im/mobilities in family and marriage: a comparative study of Germany and India

This article investigates comparative intersections of gender and family sociology internationally, with a specific focus on urban Germany and urban India. In particular, this research examines a central dynamic that informs family and marriage relations globally, and for this research context, in Germany and India: What are the nuanced ways of conceptualizing changing gender roles in marriage and in family in Germany and India? Bringing together a robust understanding of the theoretical frameworks of Intersectionality and of Mobility as large bodies of scholarship that examine geographic and symbolic power geometries, we adopt the lens of Intersectional Im/Mobilities to explore changing gender roles in family and marriage in Germany and India. We particularly focus on an intersectionality-based analysis of two primary themes that arise out of our primary and secondary data: (1) Women’s employment and impact on family life/work–life balance; and (2) Changing gender roles in marriage (through the lens of the division of household labor and aspects of agency and decision making), questions which influence and inflect complex intersectional realities.

Factors affecting Changing Gender roles among farm families in Osun State, Nigeria

Gender roles are assumptions that individuals, and the general public have of people based on their biological characteristics. These assumptions are usually as a result of values and beliefs of the society. In spite of the global war against gender inequalities, many societies in Africa are structured in a way that socio-cultural norms form the basis of gender roles. This reflects on many households where men are typically favoured than women in gender roles. However, changing trends across the world has impacted on many areas of society. Therefore, the study assessed the key factors influencing changing gender roles among farm families in Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected through interview schedule. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select twenty (20) rural farming households from eight Local Government Areas in the State. Data were described and analyzed using percentage, mean and Pearson product moment correlation. Findings revealed a mean age of 43.5 ± 11.73 years. The mean household size was 6.9±1.7 persons. Access to education and resources (p =0.001) and economic opportunities (p = 0.002). Likewise, environmental factors generally had significant influence on changing gender roles (p = 0.01). This study points to the importance of ensuring that the fair share of responsibilities with regards to gender roles in society is constantly promoted and highlights of their contributions is well recognized.

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.

From the body as an object to embodied subjectivity: Social egg freezing as a personal definition rite among ultra-orthodox singles

As an innovative reproductive technology, social egg freezing (SEF) challenges the ultra-Orthodox community's position in the tension between tradition and modernity. On the one hand, SEF can enable singles of advanced age to fulfill their most important social and religious role of building big families when they eventually marry. On the other hand, exposure to SEF may lead to openness to social change, including changes in gender roles, division of labor, and control over female fertility. Based on in-depth interviews, the present study examined the experiences of ultra-Orthodox singles throughout the SEF process, based on conceptual frameworks of “rites of passage”, “group definition ceremonies” and “personal definition rites”. The findings reveal that ultra-Orthodox single women creatively invented strategies to discreetly cope with various obstacles, unassisted by their families or communities. Not only can personal definition rites take form without the community's participation and support, but they can also be carried out privately and secretively. By undergoing SEF, ultra-Orthodox singles exert agency in making independent choices over their bodies. Despite being embedded in a conservative, traditional context, the results indicate that participants initiate bottom-up change in social norms in relation to the status of singlehood, timing of marriage, and family size.

Socioeconomic impacts and government assistance in the aftermath of landslides in Mayoon since 2010: A qualitative study on the vulnerable village of Hunza, Pakistan

The primary objective of this study is to assess the socioeconomic conditions of the inhabitants of village and evaluate the level of government support provided to them following the landslide. Additionally, the study aims to explore any changes in gender roles that occurred during the resettlement process. Mayoon is a modest village situated in Lower Hunza that has endured multiple landslides, rendering it susceptible to such natural like avalanches, landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), rock fall and flash floods. However, the frequency of landslides has increased since 2010, between 1994 and 2014, there were 78 floods, 16 landslides, and 8 debris flows. Ten participants i.e., five males and five females were purposively selected for this research. A semi-structured interview protocol was prepared keeping in view literature and personal observations, which consisted of 12 open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Four major themes were extracted from transcribed data namely, post disaster impact on living, resettlement issues, government role and gender role and disaster. It was discovered that most residents of Mayoon village, who were mainly farmers relying on agriculture, suffered from the landslides. The disaster not only destroyed the farmlands but also the cultural such as cultural sites once they gathered for religious activities. Once they gathered to perform their religious activities, the region was devastated by the disaster. Marriages, cultural events, and festivals were celebrated with zeal and zest, but post-disaster celebrations changed the way they were celebrated earlier. Many affected people had to move to different areas for safety, resulting in the loss of social connections among them. Despite knowing the risk of more landslides, most of them resettled in the same village due to unavailability of sufficient land. The local government failed to relocate them to a safer place and is unable to provide services to the affected individuals.

An Analytical Study of Assessment of Gender Role Attitude through TV Dramas among the People of Pakistan

Media depictions of men and women shape our cultural ideals of them. TV dramas are changing gender roles. TV dramas usually shape gender roles more than other media. This study compares traditional and reformed gender roles in Pakistani TV dramas. Pakistan is a patriarchal society where men rule, make decisions, and are independent, while women are dependent, domestic, and limited. An observational media study using quantitative survey research design. Structure questionnaires are used to gather responses from 1200 married and unmarried 25–50-year-old male and female respondents from Pakistan's five major cities: Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi. Statistical test of Analysis of variance ONE WAY ANOVA for testing study hypotheses. The key findings of the study; TV Dramas preserve and develop gender roles and provide social capital to change society. Pakistani TV dramas show men and women in current and reformed gender roles to promote gender equality.

Do Men Care about Childcare? Women’s Relative Resources and Men’s Preferences for Work–Family Reconciliation Policies

Abstract Existing literature on the politics of work–family reconciliation policies focuses primarily on women and their policy preferences as the main driver of recent policy expansions. But what do we know about male preferences? This article explores this question in an innovative way by integrating insights from economic and sociological studies of division of labor and bargaining within the household. It investigates the link between women’s relative resources within the household and their male partners’ preferences for different types of reconciliation policies. Drawing on regression analysis of nineteen OECD countries using the International Social Survey Program data (Family and Changing Gender Roles IV), we find that: (1) men in dual-earner households, men in college-educated educational homogamy, and men in educational hypogamy (the woman is better educated) are more likely to support reconciliation policies; and (2) women’s earnings and education have different effects on men’s preferences.

Beyond Borders: A Review of Diaspora and Female Immigrant Experience

This article reviews the conceptualization of the diaspora and the inclusion of female immigrants’ experiences in diaspora studies. It surveys the changing notion of diaspora with the inclusion of varied groups of immigrants, including females. Then, it examines the previous research about female immigrants’ experiences, particularly focusing on South Asian female immigrants. Over time, the conceptualization of the diaspora has evolved from a perspective focused on victimhood to a more socially constructed view of identity formation that transcends the binary distinction between home and host countries. This broader conceptualization of diaspora includes various forms of transborder migration and settlement, allowing for a more inclusive examination of the experiences of female immigrants. In the beginning, women immigrants were often equated with male immigrants. However, as time passed, scholars started linking gender concerns with additional factors like social class, nationality, and ethnicity. In this context, the research on the experience of South Asian female immigrants revolves around changing gender roles and family dynamics, including contradictory aspects of whether migration reinforces domination or provides autonomy to South Asian female immigrants.

The Dynamics of Islamic Family Law in the Face of Technological Advancements and Social Changes in the Era of Society 5.0

In the era of Society 5.0, Islamic family law faces contemporary issues influenced by technological advancements and digital transformations. This research aims to analyze these issues and their impact on Islamic family law, focusing on changes in marriage patterns, divorce, gender roles, and individual rights. The research combines the concept of Society 5.0 with the unique aspects of Islamic family law, providing a deeper understanding of its adaptation to the challenges of the digital age. Through a literature review methodology, relevant sources such as textbooks, journals, and internet resources are analyzed to explore contemporary issues. The results highlight pressing matters such as polygamy, women’s rights in divorce, and inheritance rights. The influence of technological development and digital transformation on Islamic family law is examined, addressing the opportunities and challenges brought by digital communication tools and online platforms. The research contributes to formulating legal policies and strategies to address these issues, ensuring their alignment with religious principles and the needs of the Muslim community. By understanding the complexities and evolving nature of Islamic family law in Society 5.0, this research paves the way for the development of adaptive laws in accordance with changing times.
 Keywords: contemporary issues, gender roles, Islamic family law, marriage patterns, society 5.0, technological advancements

Religious pressures on women's rights in Southeast Asia: Examining the right to an abortion in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam

This article aims to interrogate the “cultural wars” in Asia brought upon by rapid changes in gender roles in the world and the reactionary “return” to heteronormative families in Asia. For this article, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam were chosen for their diverse religious, cultural, and political definitions of the family and openness to global human rights discourses. As the article will show, despite the diversity of these three countries, one prevalent theme in access to abortions is the influence of religion. As one of the fastest growing regions in the world, Southeast Asia experienced a resurgence in religiosity in response to a change in economic and social relations over the past two decades. This growth took place thanks to active efforts by the state to manage population growth, often times through family planning efforts—including through providing access to abortions in some countries. But in a region where deeply entrenched stigmas are attached to abortions, nations treated abortions as a health imperative on the personal level, or a population control tool at the national level, but never as a personal right. Thus, as the role of religion in the region changes, becomes deeper and more personal, this article argues that pressures on safe abortion access becomes threatened. Through a socio-legal lens, this article will examine the legal right to an abortion in three Southeast Asian countries and argues that because abortions were primarily used as a tool for population control, and was not treated as fundamental right, the rise of religiosity in the region threatens precarious access to abortions in Southeast Asia.

Contemporary Relationships: The Potential Risk of Affection and Suicidal Ideation

Introduction: Modern relationship dynamics, influenced by factors such as social media, changing gender roles, and societal expectations, have given rise to unique challenges in understanding the intersection of love addiction and suicide risk. This introduction sets the stage for thoroughly examining existing research, highlighting the need to address this pressing issue and its potential implications for mental health interventions. Aim: This article analyzes contemporary relationships, revealing their potential link to increased vulnerability to suicidal thoughts in modern romantic relationships, fostering a nuanced understanding. Methodology: This study explores the relationship between love, affection, and suicidal tendencies using NCRB data and relevant literature. Contemporary relationship dynamics were examined, with case studies included for support. Studies were critically appraised for quality, ensuring robust conclusions on how emotional factors influence suicidal behavior in modern relationships. Result: NCRB data from 2020-2022 reveals a 4.5% rise in suicides due to 'Love Affairs,' contributing to a total of 170,924 suicides in 2022. This highlights the increasing impact of romantic relationships on mental health, particularly among young adults and minors. Conclusion: Contemporary relationships have become increasingly complex, with affection as both a source of joy and a potential risk factor for emotional distress. While affection fosters emotional support and connection, it can also increase vulnerability to psychological pain due to unreciprocated love, conflicts, or neglect. This study highlights the link between love addiction and suicidal tendencies, emphasizing the influence of digital communication on unrealistic expectations. It calls for collaborative efforts among mental health professionals, educators, and policymakers to raise awareness and promote healthier relationship norms and coping mechanisms.

Exploring How Older Adult's Gender Role is Associated with Studied Outcomes Following an Outdoor Exercise Structure Program.

This study aimed to describe the gender roles of people interested in an exercise program done on outdoor exercise structures and test if gender roles were associated with studied outcomes. Older adults aged 65+ who were not currently performing resistance training were invited to participate. Gender roles were quantified using the Bem Sex Role Inventory 30-item questionnaire (-60 [feminine] to +60 [masculine]). Outcomes included completing the 6-week intervention (Y/N) and changes in physical function (one leg stance, 30-s chair stand), strength (predicted maximal chest press and leg press, grip strength), power (knee extensor power), and overall health via the SF-36 questionnaire. Twenty-nine adults (65.5% female; median 72 years old) participated in the study, and 17 completed the intervention (58.6%). The median (interquartile) gender role score was -13.0 (-19.5 to -8.5), with no gender role difference (p = .62) between completers and non-completers. These results suggest that older adults interested in such a program portray themselves as more feminine. No association was found between gender role scores and changes in any study outcomes. In this setting, gender roles did not seem to impact the study outcomes and therefore may not need to be considered when designing an outdoor exercise structure program.