Traditional Gender Roles Research Articles

Masquerade of power: women entrepreneurs reshaping gender norms in Kazakhstan's male-dominated sectors

PurposeThis study aims to examine how women entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan's male-dominated sectors utilize the concept of positionality to navigate and redefine gender norms, focusing on their engagement with entrepreneurial masculinities and femininities. It explores the transformative potential of their strategic actions on gender dynamics within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachEmploying qualitative research through 27 in-depth interviews, this study adopts constructivist grounded theory to delve into how women entrepreneurs interact with gender norms within their entrepreneurial context. This approach highlights the dynamic interplay between gender norms and the strategies employed by women entrepreneurs to navigate these challenges.FindingsThe findings reveal that women entrepreneurs actively employ and navigate entrepreneurial masculinities and femininities as strategies to challenge traditional gender roles. Their approaches vary from conforming to, challenging and creatively redefining the gendered expectations encountered in their entrepreneurial journey. This demonstrates their agency in reshaping gender norms and contributing to the diversity of gender performances within the domain of entrepreneurship.Research limitations/implicationsWhile focused on Kazakhstan, the study's findings suggest broader implications for understanding gender dynamics in entrepreneurship across different cultural contexts. Future research could extend this inquiry to varied sociocultural settings, employing post-structuralist and ethnographic methodologies to further explore the performance of gender roles and the negotiation of belonging in entrepreneurial contexts.Originality/valueBy foregrounding the concept of positionality, this study enriches the dialogue on gender dynamics within entrepreneurship, offering fresh perspectives on the agency of women entrepreneurs in male-dominated sectors. It illustrates how gender identities and performances are not fixed but are actively constructed and negotiated, contributing to the evolving landscape of entrepreneurial masculinities and femininities.

Constraining Factors to Rural Women's Empowerment: A Perspective from the Specialized Literature

This study analyzes the constraining factors of women's empowerment in rural contexts, focusing on socioeconomic and sociocultural factors. It examines the limited access to economic resources, employment opportunities, gender roles, social norms, and access to education as segregating elements, restricting empowerment. From this perspective, the purpose of this research is to review the specialized literature to analyze these factors and determine guidelines to strengthen empowerment in rural communities. With a qualitative approach, the research is also descriptive and reviews studies and specialized sources. The findings show that the main obstacles are limited access to economic resources and employment opportunities, along with traditional gender roles and lack of education, which in turn limit the economic participation and influence of rural women in the community, leading to the conclusion that it is necessary to address these elements comprehensively, promoting policies and programs that improve access to resources, education and gender equality, facilitating an environment that empowers rural women and allows them to fully contribute to their communities.

Unveiling Violence and Masculinity through a Psychoanalytic Study of Sam Shepard's Curse of the Starving Class (1977), Sarah Kane' Blasted (1995) and The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield in Bosnian War (1996) by Matei Visniec

The examination of violence and its association with masculinity is depicted in three distinct plays: Blasted, written by Sarah Kane in 1995; Curse of the Starving Class, authored by Sam Shepard in 1977 (it was made into a Hollywood film in 1994); and Matei Vişniec’ The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield in the Bosnian War (1996). Utilizing a qualitative approach, this study employs close textual analysis and an extensive review of relevant literature to examine the representation of violence and masculinity in theatrical framework while also exploring the wider societal implications of such portrayals. The chosen plays present a wide range of viewpoints regarding violence, encompassing both highly intense manifestations of violence and the repercussions of warfare on the individuals. This analysis utilizes Judith Butler's theory of gender construction and Antonio Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty in order to examine the ways in which these plays either challenge or uphold conventional gender. Furthermore, it investigates the intricate correlation between trauma and aggressive conduct as depicted in the plays. By going deeply into the text and exploring its underlying concepts, it reveals the crucial function of theater in tackling and evaluating complex social problems. The plays act as a mirror for society viewpoints, forcing readers and the audiences to face uncomfortable truths about aggression, masculinity, and emotional anguish. The impacts of trauma on individuals and communities are brought to light. These plays demonstrate how war trauma can induce rage and promote violent behavior. It also highlights the power of theater to challenge harmful social conventions and catalyze positive social change by challenging traditional gender roles and power dynamics. Improving the audiences understanding of cultural attitudes and potential paths for societal change, this study contributes significantly to the assessment of violence and masculinity as depicted in theatrical performances.

Doing gender in energy communities: A gendered perspective on barriers and motivators

In the transition to a renewable energy system, the European Union champions community-based initiatives like energy communities to promote decarbonization as well as broader societal benefits. Despite these goals, there is a marked underrepresentation of women in energy communities. In 15 qualitative interviews with experts in community-led energy organizations mainly from Germany, our study addresses women specific barriers for participation. The modal organizational setup poses barriers in terms of existing male overrepresentation, technical knowledge as entry requirement, a focus on financial investment, heavy and inflexible time requirements, and the lack of social integration of energy communities. Organizational realities align little with women`s motivators for participation, which encompass environmental enthusiasm and social engagement. The nature of the discovered barriers is compatible with the concept of "doing gender", where malleable, socially constructed organizational arrangements perpetuate traditional gender roles and thereby hierarchies.

Factors contributing to gender differences in language use during Bukusu marriage ceremonies in Bungoma County

This study sought to examine the factors contributing to gender differences in language use during Bukusu marriage ceremonies in Bungoma County. Discursive practices provide context through which language is used. Some of the cultural practices, such as Bukusu customary marriages, which provide context for language use, more often than not perpetuate gender differences in language. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 respondents in four marriage ceremonies. Data was collected from all four key stages of a Bukusu marriage ceremony on a cross-sectional basis. Data was collected through direct observations during marriage ceremonies, in-depth interviews with respondents, and focus group discussions. The study was informed by Ruth Wodak’s Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA). The data was translated, transcribed and analysed to identify the factors behind gender differences in language use. The findings indicate that gender differences in language use during Bukusu customary marriage ceremonies in the Kimilili sub-county are shaped by societal expectations, cultural heritage, traditional gender roles, socialisation and gendered power dynamics. The study is important as it explores gendered language in Bukusu marriage ceremonies, shedding light on how language reinforces gender norms. It will fill a research gap and contribute to promoting gender equality by informing strategies for inclusive language use in various settings.

The Body as a Battlefield: A Feminist Interpretation of Mulan as a Source of Theology in the Face of Gender-Based Violence

This study delves into the intricate interplay between cinema, theology, and gender-based violence through a feminist lens. It centers on the film Mulan as a unique source of theological reflection in addressing cases of gender-based violence. The title, “The Body as a Battlefield,” encapsulates the core theme of this research, emphasizing the body as a contested terrain where power dynamics and societal norms converge. Through a meticulous feminist interpretation of the film, we explore how Mulan’s narrative challenges traditional gender roles, illuminates the resilience of the female body, and offers a fresh perspective on theological discourse. By bridging the realms of film analysis, feminist theology, and social justice, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how popular culture can serve as a resource for theological engagement in the pursuit of gender equality and the eradication of gender-based violence.

EVOLVING MASCULINITY: A STUDY OF BODY POSITIVITY IN MEN

If we are to understand why it is so rare and what the future holds, the topic of body positivity in males has evolved into a complex one that requires discussion. Men frequently encounter irrational expectations that result in body dissatisfaction and a low sense of self- worth in todays society, when media representations of the ideal male form and gender stereotypes predominate. The medias depiction of the ideal male body, which is characterized by muscular proportions and low body fat, is a major reason man are not positive about their bodies. These restrictive rules put pressure on men to conform, which can cause body dissatisfaction and a decrease in self- esteem. Furthermore, the traditional gender roles of men and women indicate the idea that men should be portrayed as strong, stoic, and emotionally controlled, which discourages open conversations about body image issues and the need for assistance. The psychological and mental toll it takes on a person can cause various issues in men, both physically and mentally. It may be caused by constant pressure to meet these standards. Feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction can also be a contributing factor. It can lead to chronic problems in life. The most important part of maintaining a healthy state of mind is managing these body image concerns. In men, theres a lot of ways to support positive body image. Through education and awareness programs, these programs challenge harmful beauty norms and promote positive body image. Resources and workshops to help men reject outdated ideas and accepting body positivity need to be provided by schools, organizations, and communities. Its critical that we dismantle obstacles when it comes to mens body image. The secret to building an environment where guys can talk about their issues and receive assistance without fear of judgment is to have open dialogues about topics like how they feel about their bodies and mental health. Social media can also be a useful tool for promoting campaigns that celebrate the diversity of peoples bodies and for sharing fascinating tales that people can relate to.

Unravelling the threads: understanding the interplay of Cultural values, female workforce engagement, human development index and suicide rates.

Suicide is a major public health problem across the world. Extensive research on the field shows that suicide is affected by several sociological, economic, and cultural risk factors. Over the last century, social changes have driven the reshaping of traditional gender roles, often in an uneven fashion, strongly depending on context. This study proposes updated findings on the impact that changes in traditional gender roles could have on suicide rates METHODS: It will do so by examining the correlation between female labor force participation (FLPR) and sex-specific suicide rates. Moreover, it will examine this association depending on human development (HDI) and Hofstede's individualism index. To do so, data from 2010 to 2019 from 47 countries is collected from the WHO, ILOSTAT and UN agencies' websites. Analysis show a significant interaction between FLPR, HDI and individualism index scores on male suicide rates (p = 0.002). There is a negative association between FLPR and male suicide rates in relatively lower HDI countries, while in very high HDI countries an increase in FLPR is correlated with an increase in male suicide rates. Similar trends but no significant interaction is observed for female suicide rates. This study suggests that female participation is beneficial for male population as it reduces male suicide rates. However, this association appears to be context dependent. In countries where institutional adjustment is already established, and human development is very high, other factors might be of interest in examining the trends of suicide rates among men and women.

Sultana’s Dream: Religion as an Apparatus in Gender Role Assignment

Sultana’s Dream, written by Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain in 1905, is a utopian novella that challenges established gender norms in a manner that effectively undermines the process of conventional gender stereotyping. Hossain’s narrative unfolds in Ladyland, a society where women assume responsibility for various aspects of life, while men are confined to purdah, secluded quarters designated for their isolation. The story, despite its brevity, explores the re-establishment of a matriarchal government, the peaceful stabilization of society, the widespread use of technology without male involvement, the celebration of intellect over physical strength, and the subversion of traditional gender roles. Although the story occasionally favours women over men, its purpose, as is proper to the function of utopianism, is to inspire readers by demonstrating the possibility of a better future. This article, therefore, aims to explore the role of religion as an apparatus of the inherent Indian culture in oppressing and isolating women, with reference to Hossain’s seminal work, Sultana’s Dream.

Armed conflict effects in intimate partner violence: Revealing pathways using the socioecological framework.

We explored women's narratives about their experiences as victim-survivors of multiple forms of armed conflict violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) in Colombia and examined pathways that clarify the relationships between these two types of violence. Thematic analysis of 47 interviews identified connections that explain how armed conflict influences IPV at all levels of the socio-ecology. At the societal level, armed conflict events amplified patriarchal notions and intensified men's expressions of hypermasculinity through violence. At the community level, rules imposed by armed groups excused IPV if women did not comply with their traditional gender roles as wives and caretakers. At the relationship level, husbands/partners blamed victim-survivors of sexual violence perpetrated by armed groups, which intensified IPV situations. At the individual level, the armed conflict generated high levels of stress that contributed to increasing IPV. Results highlight the need to recognise armed conflict as an IPV risk factor that penetrates multiple socio-ecological domains. Post-conflict societies should consider the effects of the armed conflict on family dynamics and intimate partner relationships. Interventions should be developed to deconstruct hyper-militarised masculinity identities and traditional gender roles as an integral part of peace efforts.

Console to Movie Success, Leveraging Nostalgia, and Introducing Subversion in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

This research examines the success of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" by leveraging nostalgia and introducing subversion. The adaptation process from video game to film often fails, as seen with previous attempts like "Warcraft" (2016) and "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li" (2009). However, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (2023) succeeded by retaining core elements of the original game while innovatively transforming its narrative and character dynamics. The movie's success is attributed to its nostalgic appeal, faithful yet refreshed character portrayals, and the subversion of traditional gender roles. By making Princess Peach a mentor and strategist and providing Mario a hero's journey from an ordinary plumber to a savior, the film connects with both old fans and new audiences. This study utilizes Andrew Tate's theory of fidelity and transformation, along with perspectives on nostalgia, audience engagement, and gender role subversion, to analyze the movie's reception and success.

Employment and work intentions of refugee women. Evidence on Syrians in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT This study examines the employment and work intentions of Syrian refugee women in the Netherlands. While earlier studies showed that refugee women have dramatically low labor force participation rates, it remains poorly understood why this is the case. In this study, we provide new insights, using large-scale, nationally representative data on Syrian refugee women in the Netherlands. Our analyses provide evidence to suggest that beyond human capital characteristics, three gender-specific factors contribute to lower participation rates: discrimination of Muslim women who wear a veil, family constraints and traditional gender role attitudes. Among Syrian unemployed women, we find that wearing a veil or having young children is associated with an inability to work, whereas traditional gender role attitudes are significantly associated with unwillingness to work.

Cultural proximity and gender representation: Why Italian women are drawn to Turkish TV serials

This study investigates why women in Southern Italy are attracted to Turkish TV serials, which may seem culturally distant at first glance. By conducting semi-structured interviews with 30 women, the research aims to uncover the specific elements of Turkish serials that resonate with these women. The findings reveal that participants appreciate the portrayal of strong, independent female characters in Turkish serials, which challenge their preconceptions about Muslim women and foster a sense of shared human experiences across cultures. The romantic ideals depicted, without overt sexualization, and the subtle reinforcement of traditional gender roles, align with the viewers’ cultural values, offering a comforting blend of familiarity and novelty. Additionally, the high production values and aesthetically pleasing depiction of Turkish settings and lifestyles enhance the appeal. These serials not only entertain but also prompt audiences to reflect on their own cultural and feminist issues. This study highlights the intricate dynamics of cross-cultural media consumption and its impact on cultural perceptions and viewer engagement.

Maternity leave reform and women's labor supply: Evidence from China

China has extended maternity leave to encourage childbirth. This study specifically investigates the effects of China's maternity leave reform (MLR) on women's labor supply, utilizing a difference-in-difference analysis with data from the China Family Panel Studies. Our findings show that MLR leads to a notable decrease in women's working hours, with an average reduction of 2.6 h per week. However, no corresponding impacts are observed in men's labor supply. Mechanism analysis suggests that these effects may stem from women facing more disadvantaged positions in the labor market, having increased intentions for fertility, and experiencing heightened household responsibilities. These findings hold significant implications for the future design and implementation of childbirth promotion and gender equality policies.

Development of coparenting during the transition to parenthood: Integrating parents' representations with observed interactions.

The transition to parenthood is a significant period of transformation and adjustment for all members of a new family, reshaping relational dynamics that often endure throughout the initial years of a child's life. This qualitative and longitudinal study aimed to explore coparenting representations held by both partners in a parental couple, along with observations of their family interactions, at three distinct points in time, with the aim to better understand the interaction between these representational and behavioral observations. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 heterosexual, first-time parents in Santiago de Chile, during pregnancy and at two different times during the first year of their child's life. Family interactions were assessed using the Lausanne Trilogue Play task (LTP) on all occasions. Three main coparenting representation categories emerged: traditional, ambiguous, and co-responsible. On observation, approximately half of the couples showed cooperative coparenting interactions, while the other half had conflictual interactions. Couples generally followed stable trajectories over time. Cooperative couples demonstrated co-responsibility and open dialogue, while conflictual couples tended to follow traditional gender roles with tacit communication styles. This study highlights the importance of promoting co-responsibility and dialogue for fostering cooperative relational dynamics during the critical transition to parenthood.

Impact of Gender-Specific Marketing on Consumer Purchasing Behavior in Philippines

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze impact of gender-specific marketing on consumer purchasing behavior in Philippines. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Recent studies on the impact of gender-specific marketing on consumer purchasing behavior in the Philippines reveal that tailoring marketing strategies to gender preferences significantly influences buying decisions. Research indicates that campaigns designed with gender-specific appeals are more effective in resonating with target audiences, thereby enhancing engagement and driving sales. For instance, marketing messages emphasizing traditional gender roles or specific lifestyle aspirations often result in higher purchase intentions among female consumers, while campaigns highlighting strength and technology tend to appeal more to male consumers. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social role theory, consumer culture theory (CCT) & theory of planned behavior (TPB) may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of gender-specific marketing on consumer purchasing behavior in Philippines. Organizations should implement mentorship programs tailored to the specific needs of women in different sectors and career stages. Policymakers and organizations should develop and enforce structured mentorship policies that include regular evaluations, clear objectives, and accountability measures.

Unspoken Challenges: Maternal Complexities in Three Asian Short Stories

This study examines the unspoken challenges experienced by Asian mothers through the lens of Asian motherhood as depicted in literature. The research aims to investigate how cultural norms and societal expectations shape the roles and experiences of mothers in Asian societies. Employing qualitative research methods, specifically thematic analysis, this study interprets and classifies the unspoken challenges portrayed in three short stories from Indonesia, China, and Japan. The findings reveal three prominent themes: developing resilience, performing silent sacrifice, and facing individual conflicts. The mothers in these stories exhibit diverse coping strategies in response to the unacknowledged challenges they encounter. This study contributes to the understanding of the enduring nature of traditional gender roles and expectations in Asian societies, highlighting the need for greater recognition and support for mothers facing these unspoken challenges. The results underscore the importance of continued research and dialogue on the experiences of Asian mothers to promote gender equality and the well-being of women in these contexts. The insights gained from this study can inform future research, policy, and practice aimed at addressing the unspoken challenges faced by mothers in Asian societies and beyond.

Practicable strategies parents can apply in their daily routine to successfully implement the 50/50-split-model of paid work, childcare, and housework: a qualitative content analysis

BackgroundMany young couples are planning to share paid work, childcare, and housework equally between each other. But implementing such a 50/50-split-model is difficult and parents often return to traditional gender role distributions after the birth of a child. This return has potential negative effects on mental health, physical health, and relationship satisfaction. Therefore, this study aims to find practicable strategies on a behavioral-level which new parents can apply in their daily routine to successfully implement the 50/50-split-model if they wish to do so.MethodsThis qualitative study, DREAMTALK, is part of the multi-method, prospective Dresden Study on Parenting, Work, and Mental Health (DREAM). For DREAMTALK, N = 25 parents implementing a 50/50-split-model were selected based on quantitative data regarding time use, which participants had provided in questionnaires. In DREAMTALK, problem-centered interviews were conducted with the selected sample at 17 months postpartum. Those were analyzed via qualitative content analysis, which is systematic, rule-guided, and based on the criteria of validity and reliability.ResultsThe qualitative content analysis revealed a catalog of 38 practicable strategies to manage daily routine, which can help parents to successfully implement a 50/50-split-model. Individual participants used 23 success strategies on average. Examples include having a regular coordination appointment with the other parent, planning foresightedly, flexibility, reducing cleaning, optimization of routes, or moderate split-shift parenting. Some of these strategies seem opposing, e.g., planning foresightedly, and at the same time, meeting unpredicted changes with flexibility. Those seemingly opposing strategies were well balanced by the participants, which was an additional strategy.ConclusionsParents can use the success strategies relatively independently of external circumstances. This behavioral perspective extends prior theories, which have focused on explaining unequal gender role distributions with external circumstances. A behavioral perspective can be a gateway to assist more parents to pioneer in implementing the 50/50-split-model, which might in turn lead to a healthier and more satisfied public population.

A qualitative exploration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender-based violence against women living with HIV or tuberculosis in Timor Leste.

Violence against women or gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant public health issue facing women and girls in different settings. It is reported to have worsened globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on increased violence against women in general, which has been reported in many settings globally, there is a paucity of evidence of its impact on violence against highly vulnerable women living with HIV or tuberculosis (TB). Using a qualitative design, this study aimed to explore the views and experiences of women living with HIV (n = 19) or TB (n = 23) in Timor Leste regarding the GBV they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were recruited using the snowballing sampling technique. Data were collected using one-on-one, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The five steps of qualitative data analysis suggested in Ritchie and Spencer's analysis framework were employed to guide the analysis of the findings. Findings indicated that women in this study experienced intensified physical, verbal, sexual and psychological violence by their partners, spouses, in-laws, and parents or other family members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several prominent risk factors that worsened violence against women during the pandemic were (i) HIV or TB-positive status, (ii) traditional gender roles or responsibilities and expectations, (iii) economic and financial difficulties reflected in the loss of jobs and incomes due to the pandemic, and (iv) individual factors such as jealousy and increased alcohol drinking developed during the lockdowns. The women's experience of GBV during the pandemic also led to various negative psychological impacts. The findings underscore the urgent need for multifaceted interventions to address GBV, which should encompass challenging traditional gender norms, addressing economic inequalities, and targeting individual-level risk factors. The findings also indicate the need for the development of robust monitoring and evaluation systems to assess the effectiveness of policies and interventions addressing GBV where the results can inform future improvement. The findings also indicate the need to include GBV in the protocol or guidelines for HIV and TB management. Future large-scale quantitative studies to capture the magnitude and specific drivers of GBV against women living with HIV and TB during the pandemic are recommended.

“It’s a bit of a paradox, as she considers herself a feminist”: Tensions of doing household-related occupations as a young cis-heterosexual couple in France

ABSTRACT Despite a rise of feminist values, the organisation of household-related occupations remains unequal. This research aimed to problematise the tensions existing in the organisation of household-related occupations of cis-heterosexual couples who self-identify as feminist. Narrative data were collected through individual and joint interviews with two couples. Individuals’ and couples’ storylines were studied through a narrative analysis. Subtle reproductions of traditional gendered roles were revealed, despite each couple’s strategies to reach equality. Their organisation was not explicitly negotiated as a couple but embedded in daily life. Couples’ task allocation rationales were related to the context within which they live and work, and occupational preferences rooted in unconscious gender stereotypes. Feminist values were paradoxically acting as a constraint for the women interviewed, adding perceived norms to conform to. The study responds to calls for occupational science to move beyond individualistic approaches to occupation and embraces a critical stance towards the complexity of ‘doing feminism’ in everyday life, thus revealing many layers of intersecting tensions.