Gender Role Socialization Research Articles

Examining the relationship between social well-being levels of health personnel and their perception of gender roles: a university hospital example

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the social well-being of healthcare professionals and their perception of gender roles. The correlational screening model was used in the research. The study group consisted of 247 healthcare professionals working in a university hospital. As a data collection tool in the research, the Social Well-Being Scale-Healthcare Professionals Version, Gender Roles Attitude Scale, and Demographic Data Form were used. Unrelated Samples t-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. It was determined that the social well-being average of healthcare workers was 121.43 ± 24.46 and the gender role average was 99.48 ± 9.70. It was observed that the average social well-being of healthcare professionals differed at a statistically significant level according to family structure, length of service in the current institution, alcohol use, gender roles, gender, and profession (p < .05). As a result of the research, it was determined that there is a positive relationship between social well-being and gender roles. It was determined that gender roles, gender, length of service in the current institution and alcohol use status significantly predict social well-being.

What explains the sex differences in family leisure activities of children? A genetically sensitive analysis with twin data

Objective: This paper examines to what extent genetic and environmental influences contribute to differences in family leisure activities of girls and boys. Background: While family leisure activities have been described as relevant for child development, it remains unclear what accounts for differences in the leisure behavior of girls and boys. While research emphasized the importance of the environment, e.g., in relation to gender role socialization, other studies pointed to biological and, thus, genetic differences as explanatory factors. Method: The analysis is based on 954 female and 1036 male twins aged 10-12 years who are part of the first wave of the German Twin Family Panel Study. Our analysis examines five family leisure activities using variance decompositions and gene-environment interaction models. Results: Overall, there were only minor differences between girls and boys in the contributions of genes and environments to family leisure activities. Only for singing and making music did influences from the environment common to both twins contribute more strongly to the performance of these activities in the girls than in the boys. Conclusion: There is no evidence that genetic differences lead to differences in family leisure behavior between girls and boys in the activities considered here. Existing differences are more likely to be due to environmental influences.

THE DECLINE AND REVITALISATION OF TRANSHUMANCE IN THE VALLES OCCIDENTALES OF SPAIN’S ARAGONESE PYRENEES

This case study of the decline and revitalisation of transhumance in the Valles Occidentales challenges the dominant narrative that transhumance is a practice of the past without present-day relevance and viability. Drawing from interviews and participant observation with current and former transhumant herders in 2010 and 2018, this case illustrates that transhumance remains an important adaptation to take advantage of varying forage availability over space and time, using a production system that is more profitable than semi-extensive management with winter stable feeding. Social concerns, rising winter-forage costs and declining labour availability led most herders in the Valles to abandon transhumance in the 1980s. In the 2010s, increasing profitability, changing technology and increasing cooperation facilitated revitalisation, while shifting social norms and gender roles both facilitated and challenged continuity of transhumance. This case study suggests a number of interventions that could support revitalisation and continued viability of transhumance in other regions of Spain. This article was published open access under a CC BY-NC 4.0 licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ .

Manifestations of gender stereotyped patterns in activities in digital environments of Chilean university students

Introduction: gender stereotypes are transmitted from generation to generation and become naturalized, making it difficult to deconstruct gender roles. Digital environments are not free of these stereotypical patterns, perpetuating values ​​and social roles related to gender. The objective of this research is to identify activities in digital environments of Chilean university students that may be associated with gender stereotypical behaviors.Methods: 324 women and 185 men aged 18 to 27 were evaluated through a questionnaire with a six-level Likert scale, where information was collected on the frequency with which students provided information and carried out actions on networks. Significant differences between sexes were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U.Results: women are more likely to provide personal information when requested. Men are more likely to use aliases, include avatar photos, and accept strangers into their networks. Women update their profile picture more and check who sees their posts. Men tend to make public more sensitive personal information such as political tendencies and religious beliefs.Conclusions: college students engage in stereotypical gender behavior on digital networks. These stereotypical behaviors condition students' behavior on social networks, leading to a migration from the analog to the digital world in terms of types of behavior, perpetuating social gender roles.

A small shift, a major leap: Changing gender-role attitudes among adolescents across two ethnic groups.

The current study examined a growth mindset intervention designed to promote egalitarian gender role attitudes among adolescents during a pivotal stage of their development, as these attitudes may have important implications for their identity development, well-being, and future life decisions. A sample of 181 eighth-grade students (61% female, Mage = 13.14, SD = 0.42) from six Israeli schools participated in the study. The sample consisted of 49% Jewish and 51% Arab adolescents, including both Muslims and Christians. Adolescents engaged in a two-session intervention that included videos and reflective writing tasks. Pre-and postintervention, they completed self-administered questionnaires assessing their gender-role mindsets, attitudes toward women, and sexism. The data collection and intervention process took place from late 2021 to early 2023. After the intervention, there was an increase in growth mindsets and egalitarian attitudes towards women among adolescents, and a reduction in benevolent sexism and fixed gender-role mindsets. Hostile sexism, however, remained unchanged. No significant sex or ethnic differences were found in the effectiveness of the intervention. Gender-role mindsets mediated the association between the intervention and egalitarian attitudes, but not the association between the intervention and benevolent sexism. The findings demonstrate the potential of brief and targeted growth mindset interventions in promoting favorable changes adolescents' attitudes towards gender roles. According to this study, despite prolonged gender-role socialization, adolescents from diverse ethnic backgrounds can move towards more egalitarian attitudes and flexibility in gender roles through a rather targeted process. This finding is promising especially in adolescence, when stereotypes are often intensified.

Motivations to Enhance One’s Facial Hair: Affiliation, Rivalry, and Stress

Facial hair is a sexually dimorphic trait with potential evolutionary and sociocultural functions. Bearded men are perceived as dominant, aggressive, and masculine, but also as having better parenting skills. Men may intentionally manage the amount and shape of their facial hair as a part of their self-promotion strategy; however, facial hair management entails costs in terms of time, effort, and money. We explored psychological factors associated with facial hair enhancement motivation among men. A total of 414 men (aged 18–40 years) reported the current amount of their facial hair along with their facial hair enhancement motivations, gender role stress, intrasexual competitiveness, and fundamental social motives. Willingness to care for facial hair was associated with the amount of facial hair men claimed to have and correlated with the fundamental social motives of affiliation and social status, intrasexual competition, and gender role stress. Therefore, facial hair enhancement may be regarded as a self-presentation strategy aimed at acquiring a beneficial position in social networks.

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.

The poetics of mourning or loss: a study in Angeliki Sidira’s poetry

ABSTRACT This study aims to present lament in contemporary Greek poetry as it emerges through Angeliki Sidira’s poems. The poetics of mourning allows poets to highlight a multitude of other themes around death (existential anguish, illness and therapy, social anguish and protest). Angeliki Sidira is the main contemporary Greek representative of the subgenre, connecting lamentation and rage through a feminine perspective and domestic poetry. Her poetry opposes the traditional image of a woman in poetry and replaces her at home as a mother, wife and daughter. Sidira’s poetry expands the way in which the dynamics of the feminine can be understood, through the pain of loss and its place in the home; it offers new ways of reading the relationship between emotional life and the broader social and political contexts that have shaped gender perceptions. Poetics of mourning or loss abandon the elegiac praise of the dead highlighting memory and pain. The autobiography of a female writer is an act of liberation, as it reveals political aspects through personal experience and social gender roles.

"Something we can all share": Exploring the social significance of food insecurity for young people in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Food insecurity remains a pressing global issue and South Africa continues to face socioeconomic inequalities that make securing food a challenge for many young people. To address this challenge, we need better understanding of the social context of food and its importance in driving perceptions and behaviours about food and its scarcity. In this study, we examine the meaning of food for young people living in urban informal settlements and rural villages in KwaZulu-Natal, and investigate how they exert agency in the face of food insecurity. We use qualitative data from 17 photo/video elicitation interviews conducted from December 2020-January 2021 with young people experiencing food insecurity. The sample consisted of 9 women and 8 men who were part of the Siyaphambili Youth ("Youth Moving Forward") project. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Themes included the challenges young people face in securing food and money for food. However, in exploring young people's agency, food also plays a critical role in shaping their identities and social networks. Relevant themes included the use of food as a means of bonding with others; solidifying relationships; and as a signifier of social status and gender roles. Despite the challenges of food insecurity, young people demonstrated resilience and agency, utilising social and gendered coping strategies to secure food and to maintain their social networks. Our study contributes to the understanding of food insecurity amongst young people in South Africa and highlights the need for a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to addressing this issue. We argue that interventions aimed at addressing food insecurity should prioritise the empowerment of local communities and consider the sociocultural and gendered context of food in their design and implementation.

The Effects of Social Restraints and Gender Roles on the Female Characters in Sons and Lovers

Abstract: This study looks at how societal norms and gender roles are portrayed in D.H. Lawrence's novel Sons and Lovers and how they affect the female characters. In the sociocultural backdrop of late Victorian England, this study examines the complexity of female identity, agency, and autonomy through a thorough analysis of the three main female characters: Gertrude Morel, Miriam Leivers, and Clara Dawes. Using theoretical frameworks from social constructivism, gender studies, and feminist theory, the study explores how societal norms and gender roles influence the relationships, ideas, and behaviors of the female characters. By analyzing the narrative strategies, symbolism, locations, objects, and language that Lawrence uses, the research clarifies the novel's complex representation of social norms and gender expectations. The article also addresses Sons and Lovers applicability to current debates concerning gender issues and social standards, emphasizing the novel's lasting value as a piece of literature that elicits contemplation on the survival of patriarchal systems and the necessity of social transformation. The article concludes by outlining potential directions for future investigation and study in this field, such as interdisciplinary studies that look at the intersections between gender expectations and other identity markers and comparative assessments of gender portrayal in other literary works.

Daddy’s (not) home: work and gender-related factors in men’s attitudes towards shared parental leave

ABSTRACT Uptake of Shared Parental Leave (SPL) in the UK remains poor, with fewer than 2% of eligible fathers utilising the policy since its introduction in 2015. With limited extant research addressing the policy, reasons behind the low level of uptake remain unclear. Specifically, the role of work (family supportive organisation perceptions [FSOP]) and gender-related factors (perceived social identity threat and traditional gender role orientation) in men’s attitudes towards SPL have been largely overlooked. This study sought to identify the extent to which work and gender-related factors influenced employed men’s attitudes towards SPL, utilising social role theory to understand the mechanisms underpinning these relationships. A survey of 120 employed men captured attitudes towards SPL, traditional gender role orientation, perceived social identity threat, and FSOP. Results showed that perceived social identity threat was positively associated with traditional gender role orientation, which was, in turn, the mechanism through which FSOP and perceived social identity threat affected attitudes towards SPL. At low levels, FSOP moderated the relationship between perceived social identity threat and traditional gender role orientation, but did not moderate the indirect effect between perceived threat and attitudes towards SPL. Theoretical contributions and recommendations for organisations to improve workplace gender equality are discussed.

Political Mobilization of Farmers in India: A Case Study of Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) in Punjab

Growing agrarian contradictions and peasant protests globally are seen as outcomes of the commercialization of agricultural production systems. The Indian Punjab is one such site that has also witnessed a high degree of agricultural commercialization, and farmers’ movements and protests are attributed to growing discontentment among peasantry due to the emergence of agrarian crises. This has led to massive farmers’ movements and protests through their unionization over time. These protests received global limelight during the introduction of three farm laws by the union government of India in 2020, which were repealed in 2021. This necessitates understanding the organizational structure and functioning of unions; their social composition, mobilization strategies and role of gender. This article examines the evolution and strategies of Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan, ekta meaning united), which is the largest farmers’ union in Punjab and one of the largest in India. Using a mixed-method approach of research, which included interviewing union member farmers and agricultural workers through a semi-structured schedule and conducting focused group discussions with block presidents and executive committee members, the study finds that the unionization of farmers has accelerated the process of rural democratization. However, active persuasion of social reforms along with other agrarian issues in rural society by the unions is needed to bring social inclusiveness to make rural development process pro-poor and inclusive.

Virtual Facades: Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Presentation on Facebook and Social Anxiety Among Egyptian Generation Z Users

This study investigates the correlation between the ‘false-self’ – the persona presented to the public that may not accurately reflect one’s true identity – and social anxiety among Generation Z Facebook users in Egypt. An integrated methodology approach was used to explore the connection between Facebook usage, false self-presentation and social anxiety levels. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire targeting 420 Facebook users belonging to Egypt’s Generation Z demographic. The study findings demonstrate a strong positive correlation between higher Facebook usage intensity and false self-presentation. Furthermore, false self-presentation was found to be positively correlated with social anxiety. Significant gender differences in self-congruence on Facebook were revealed, supported by theories related to social norms and gender roles. These findings illustrate the potential influence of social media on gender identity and self-presentation, underscoring the need to take gender differences into account when studying the effects of social media on mental health. Additionally, significant differences in Facebook intensity and attachment between genders were revealed. This study adds to our understanding of the intricate relationship between social media use, self-presentation and mental health outcomes among Generation Z by providing insight into the risks associated with false self-presentation and high Facebook usage intensity.

A Qualitative Analysis of Beliefs about Masculinity and Gender Socialization among US Mothers and Fathers of School-Age Boys.

Internalization of culturally dominant masculine gender role norms can have harmful impacts on the physical and emotional health of men and boys. Although parents play an important role in influencing gender-related beliefs in their children, limited research has examined how contemporary parents conceptualize masculinity and their role in gender socialization. The current study conducted 13 focus groups with Black, Latino, and White parents (N = 83) of school-age boys from rural and urban areas in a large southeastern state in the US. Parent beliefs about masculinity existed across a spectrum from "rigid" (representing narrow, culturally dominant masculine norms) to "flexible" (defining a broader set of behaviors and attitudes as masculine). In general, more flexible beliefs were expressed by mothers than fathers, and by White than Black and Latino parents. Most parents reacted positively to messages about potential harms associated with restrictive masculinity norms; however, many saw these issues primarily as parenting challenges (e.g., teaching boys to resist negative peer influences) rather than related to gender socialization. Some unique themes also emerged within racial/ethnic groups, with Black parents noting the impact of racial discrimination on societal expectations for Black men and fathers, and Latino parents describing generational shifts towards more equitable gender role attitudes and parenting practices. These findings highlight the need for more complex and nuanced messages about masculinity norms and their relationship to health and well-being and can help inform the development of interventions to promote healthy masculine gender socialization, increase health equity, and prevent injury and violence.

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.

Gender Socialization of the Child in the Ukrainians’ Traditional Culture (Late 19th – Mid-20th Century)

The article is dedicated to one of the important aspects of Ukrainian traditional culture, namely the gender-role education of a child, his or her gender socialization. The relevance of the topic is specified with the high interest in the peculiarities of Ukrainian folk culture, its evolution and transformation, the need to understand the determining factors of the existence of Ukrainians of previous generations, a wide range of issues related to the social influence on the human personality in the past and present. A person’s adoption of a social role, acquisition of certain psychological traits, determined by society depending on gender, is a process of gender socialization. In traditional society, in particular Ukrainian one, this process has taken place through upbringing, using ritual and magical actions, designing a successful life scenario for the child. At the same time, ritualism is combined with practices related to the child’s appearance. The processes of gender-role socialization are reflected vividly in the ethnographic material of the late 19th and mid-20th centuries concerning maternity rites, norms related to the child’s appearance and initiation practices. Children’s clothing culture has largely reflected and consolidated the established norms of upbringing, social role. The change of the child’s status has been taking place with his or her maturity, especially with the attraction to economic activities. The social division of labour into women’s and men’s has been reflected both in the rites related to new-born children, through the use of appropriate attributes, and in attraction to corresponding work. Clear observance of symbolic rites has been combined with less regulated standards of appearance, those haven’t reflected a clear gender difference of children in certain periods of life. The process of raising a child in Ukrainian traditional culture implies the modelling of clearly regulated roles of adults, the symbolic consolidation of gender and the designing of a successful social role in the future.

The Influence of Space Standards on Housing Typologies: The Evolution of the Nuclear Family Dwelling in England

This article explores the evolution of dwelling typologies in London, examining how regulations and standards have transformed housing layouts and indirectly informed personal and social interactions at home. Housing policy of the past century, as reflected through space standards, type plans, housing manuals, and reports, reveal a socio-political agenda of promoting nuclear family dwellings, traditionally a household of parents and their children. This article contributes to this discussion by exploring the contextual drivers, spatial reasoning, and evidence underpinning the decisions of housing reports such as the &lt;em&gt;Tudor Walters Report&lt;/em&gt; (1918), the &lt;em&gt;Dudley Report&lt;/em&gt; (1944), and the &lt;em&gt;Parker Morris Report&lt;/em&gt; (1961). Changes in household structures can be seen through regulations: from multiple families sharing a house, to the separation of individual families into single homes, to prioritising the individual over the family unit. This article analyses how five historical moments in which typological shifts promoted nuclear family dwellings that have determined spatial hierarchies and family dynamics around cooking, eating, and socialising. Similarly, societal shifts in housing expectations, such as the changing perceptions of social status symbols, privacy, gender roles, and household dynamics have contributed to the spatial arrangement and layout of homes. By shedding light on the socio-technical transformations, this research highlights the need for innovative design solutions and evidence-based space standards to meet contemporary needs.

Exploring the role of psychological assistance hotlines in improving mental health problems among Chinese adult women: A perspective based on social expectations and gender roles

This paper looks at how social expectations and gender roles affect the mental health of Chinese women. Traditional Chinese culture, influenced by Confucianism and patriarchy, still has a negative impact on women's mental well-being, despite efforts for gender equality. Women's mental health is vital for both individuals and society, and this study aims to understand these issues better to help shape policies and interventions.

Daily Rumination Among Older Men and Women: The Role of Perceived Family and Nonfamily Social Partner Life Stress.

Women tend to ruminate more than men, and are generally more hypervigilant to the emotions of others in order to maintain positive social ties. Thus, compared to men, women may ruminate more when their social partners have greater life stresses. However, the literature on stressful events typically focuses on individuals' experiences and perceptions of stressors experienced by specific social ties such as spousal partners and adult children. The purpose of this study was to examine links between perceptions of a broad array of family and nonfamily social partner stresses and daily rumination among older men and women. Adults aged 65 and older (N = 293, 55% women) completed baseline assessments of family and nonfamily life stressors and 5-6 consecutive nightly assessments regarding rumination, interpersonal tensions, worries, and support provision. Multilevel structural equation models revealed that perceptions of greater family and nonfamily life stressors were associated with greater rumination. The links between family stress and rumination varied by gender: family stress was related to greater rumination among women and not men. Moreover, among women, family and nonfamily stress-rumination links were accounted for by greater daily worries about others, and among men, the nonfamily stress-rumination link was due to greater interpersonal tensions as well as daily worries. These findings may be due in part to gender role socialization and women's greater kin-keeping and investment in family ties.

CHESS AS A SUBJECT OF SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL CREATIVITY OF HUMANITY: PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION

The research highlights the key paradigms of social and spiritual background of chess; the profound philosophical insight into chess as a distinct social and cultural phenomenon has been provided. Chess was proved to be the result of collective creativity of many generations and to be initially endowed with ritual, religious and educational functions. A set of rules and core values of chess suggest that the game pinpointed the existing social relations, applying military strategies and tactics, and embraced the influence of religious, cultural and gender factors; primarily it represented the structure of the Indian army, subsequently encompassing the European reality and principles of social hierarchy: the sanctity and supremacy of the monarchy and class system. The alteration of social relations, military strategy and gender roles determined the paradigm shift in chess as well (considering a showcase of the Renaissance Western-European innovations).