Gender Expectations Research Articles

Unveiling Lady Audley’s Secret: Navigating Femininity, Autonomy, and Societal Constraints in Victorian Literature

The paper analyzes Lady Audley's Secret in the context of Victorian gender inequality. During this era, women faced societal expectations rooted in domesticity, limiting their access to education and public life. Braddon's novel challenges these norms, portraying a complex heroine, Lady Audley, who engages in criminal activities to navigate the constraints of her gender and social expectations. The novel explores themes of economic dependence, the limitations of marriage, and the use of madness as a societal tool. Lady Audley's character embodies paradoxes, reflecting the tension between societal ideals and individual desires. Braddon's portrayal of ordinary women's struggles provides a nuanced perspective on femininity, challenging the prevailing stereotypes of the time. The analysis examines the societal implications of madness and the consequences of resisting prescribed gender roles. Lady Audley's Secret emerges as a subversive work that addresses the invisible lives and personal conflicts of ordinary women, contributing to the broader discourse on female autonomy in the Victorian era.

Becoming a university educator in Canada: Learning experiences of two tenure-track women faculty members

This study focuses on two early career academics learning their way into university teaching. Their narratives of learning to teach in the Canadian university system highlight the intersectionality of university neoliberal core values and the female experience. Using a comparative case study framework for analysis, this small qualitative study’s findings aligned with current literature to show that the participants learned to teach mostly experientially and through critical reflection. Furthermore, normative gender expectations and student evaluations in their tenure and promotion process show how biases currently affect female faculty entering the field of higher education. The paper argues for equity from a gender perspective as neoliberalism is cloaked under the guise of equal opportunity.

Media (re)presentation of a black woman esports player: The case of Chiquita Evans in the NBA 2K League

This study investigates the media construction of Chiquita Evans, the first woman to participate in the NBA 2 K League, uncovering a complex interplay of gender norms and power dynamics. Explored through Foucauldian discourse analysis, her identity negotiation within this unique space, where sport, gaming, and media converge, is illuminated. Evans emerges as a trailblazer who challenges and reshapes established gender conventions in the male-dominated esports arena. While her defiance of gender norms is evident, the media's focus on her physicality inadvertently perpetuates gendered expectations. Moreover, Evans’ participation showcases her navigation of racial and gender norms, exposing lingering biases. The intersection of sport and media logic demonstrates evolving dynamics while also highlighting challenges faced by women players. Overall, the media construction of Evans works to encourage acceptance while reproducing established stereotypes, suggesting that increased representation may not inherently challenge power dynamics.

Exploring Women’s Lived Experiences of Early Marriage in Rural Indonesia

Early marriage is still a global concern, and Indonesia ranks second behind Cambodia in the number of early marriages within the ASEAN region. Despite the spread of technology and the influence of Western media, some Indonesian families, especially those who live in rural areas, continue to practice early marriage. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the reasons behind early marriage based on the perspective of Indonesian women who were married before the age of 18. Based on a phenomenological approach, thirty women, ages 18-45, from the Madurese community in Situbondo, East Java participated in the study. Results showed that young Madurese women decided to get married for love and companionship, as well as for economic benefits and protecting the family’s honor. Participants also believed that cultural norms and values related to marriage, sexual purity, and gender expectations play a role in early marriage. Suggestions for future studies and community interventions are discussed.

“Boys Love Boy Toys”: a qualitative study exploring the role of fathers in young boys’ gendered toy preferences

Children come to understand the concept of gender and learn to differentiate roles and norms on the basis of gender in early childhood. By interacting with individuals in their social contexts (i.e., family and peers), children are taught about gender norms and expectations, and as a result, learn to negotiate their own identities within different contexts. Parents have an especially important role in how children come to understand their own gender identity, as they have the ability to shape their childrens’ behaviors by endorsing certain gender stereotypes (e.g., girls wear pink, and boys play with trucks). For young boys, their fathers are a key socialization agent in their gender development, as they convey both implicitly and explicitly, gender-appropriate ways of being. Fathers may endorse ideas of traditional masculinity, which constrain boys to conform to the expected male norms, and discourages them from engaging in perceived feminine behaviors, such as cross-gender play. Accordingly, young boys are often expected to prove their manhood by marking their masculinity against femininity, in a power struggle where they are trying to get their gender right. Based on established and current literature in the field of gender identity development and masculinity in early childhood, this qualitative study aimed to explore young boys’ existing working schema of masculinity and the role that their fathers play in shaping it. Participants included six father–son pairs, with boys (ages 4–6) and their fathers (ages 34–37). Fathers were first asked to complete an adapted version of the Child-Rearing Sex-Role Attitude Scale, which assessed their attitudes and beliefs about gender-related toys, activities, and behaviors. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with the father–son pairs, where they participated in a series of toy-preference activities in a virtual game. Descriptive coding and content analysis were used to analyze the responses boys provided for their toy preferences. Boys reported having a more stereotyped definition of “girl toys” than of “boy toys”, as reflected in their choices of toys that they felt that only girls would like to play with. Fathers’ self-described beliefs reported on the Child-Rearing Sex-Role Attitude Scale were similarly reflected in their behaviours and comments during the interviews with their sons, such that fathers who shared stereotypical beliefs about gender-related behaviours and activities on the scale, engaged in behaviours which corresponded to their beliefs when interacting with their sons. Implications for families and educators are discussed.

Experiences of men in the minority: understanding men’s sense of belonging studying primary education, nursing and social work in higher education

ABSTRACT Male students are in the minority in nursing, social work and primary education university programmes leading to professional recognition. This article explores the experiences of men studying on these professional programmes in Higher Education (HE) in the United Kingdom. A phenomenographic methodology was used to explore male students’ conceptual understanding of their education experience. The findings suggest these students can struggle to ‘fit in’ across four conceptual categories (i) Forming Relationships; (ii) Standing Out and Singled Out; (iii) Confronting Gendered Expectations; (iv) Developing Careers. These categories are discussed in relation to the notion of a sense of belonging in HE enabling considerations of similarities and differences across male students’ experiences. All participants conceived their education experience as pervaded by gendered experiences which intersect with age, sexuality and choice of profession. Most male students in the study found ways to develop a sense of belonging within university life and to fit in socially but representational and communication practices meant that most had experience of exclusion, particularly during placements. Male primary education students experienced a greater sense of belonging within their peer group aided by greater numbers of males on the programme. We conclude that partnership working between university, placement staff and students is required to raise awareness, challenge and not perpetrate stereotypes in order to provide inclusive, supportive environments for male students in the minority.

Determinants of American Adults' Use of Digital Health and Willingness to Share Health Data to Providers, Family, and Social Media: A Cross-sectional Study.

With the global pandemic driving the adoption of digital health, understanding the predictors or determinants of digital health usage and information sharing gives an opportunity to advocate for broader adoption. We examined the prevalence and predictors of digital health usage and information-sharing behaviors among American adults. Data were from the Health Information National Trends Survey 5 Cycle 4. More than two-thirds used a digital resource for health-related activities (eg, to check test results). About 81% were willing to share their digital data with their provider, 75% with family, and 58% with friends. Only 14% shared health information on social media. Gender, education, device types, and performance expectancy of digital health were common factors associated with both digital health usage and information-sharing behaviors. Other predictors included rurality, patient portal access, income, and having a chronic disease. Of note, we found that Asian American Pacific Islanders, compared with Whites, were less likely to share information with providers. Performance expectancy was a significant determinant of information sharing. Those diagnosed with diabetes were 4% less likely to share information with their providers. With the growing digital divide, there is a need to advocate for more usable and accessible digital health to assist with person-centered care.

The Art of Blending In Unveiling Camouflaging Traits in Adults with or Without Autism

Camouflaging a complex behavioral and social phenomenon commonly associated with individuals on the autism spectrum, takes center stage in this study. However, it doesn't stop at autism; it delves into the intriguing realm of camouflaging strategies employed by both adult individuals with and without autism. Additionally, the research further investigates the influence of gender on these camouflaging behaviors. This quantitative study exposes notable distinctions in camouflaging traits between adults with and without autism. Individuals with autism spectrum frequently utilize camouflaging to replicate socially accepted behaviors, such as maintaining eye contact and suppressing repetitive actions, in order to integrate into society and escaping potential stigmatization. Nevertheless, this adaptive coping strategy can exact a toll on their mental health & well-being, resulting in heightened stress, anxiety, and mental exhaustion. Remarkably, the research also highlights that camouflaging isn't unique to autism; individuals without autism also harness these strategies in various social situations. These individuals may adjust their body language, behavior, emotional expressions, and appearance to align with dominant societal norms, foster social harmony, or seamlessly integrate into specific social circles. This indicates that camouflaging is a broader phenomenon rooted in the universal human impulse for social adaptation and compliance. Moreover, the study underscores the significance influence of gender expectations on the adoption of camouflaging strategies. It notes that camouflaging appears to be more prevalent among females, irrespective of their autism status, reflecting the unique social challenges and societal expectations faced by women across various cultural landscapes. In essence, this research illuminates the multifaceted nature of camouflaging behaviors and their far-reaching implications. It emphasizes the vital importance of comprehending these behaviors and their potential impacts on individuals' overall mental health & well-being. Moreover, the study advocates for further exploration of the long-term effects of camouflaging and the creation of interventions focused on promoting authenticity in social interactions while alleviating the need for excessive camouflaging efforts.

Work-Family Conflict among Police Personnel’s Job Satisfaction in Special Region of Yogyakarta with Gender as a Moderating Variable (Study in Police Administrative Unit at the County Level)

Research has shown that both men and women experience work-family conflict, but the nature of the conflict differs based on gender. Women often face conflicting demands between their work and family roles, which can lead to role overload and stress. Men, on the other hand, may experience conflict when their work responsibilities interfere with their family responsibilities, but they may also experience pressure to prioritize work over family due to traditional gender norms and expectations. It is important to recognize and address these gender differences in work-family conflict in order to promote greater work-life balance and job satisfaction for all individuals. This study aims to examine and analyze the effect of work-family conflict among police personnel’s job satisfaction in Special Region of Yogyakarta, especially at police administrative unit at county level. Moreover, this study focuses on exploring the moderating effect of gender on relationship of work-family conflict with job satisfaction. This quantitative study designed to test the hypothesis. The data for the present study were primary cross-sectional data collected from total of 193 police personnel in Yogyakarta. The result of the study show that work family-conflict have a significant negative effect on job satisfaction. Moreover, gender has no impact significantly on the relationship between work-family conflict with job satisfaction.

Secondary School Teachers Teaching Strategies Toward Gender-atypical Students

More people need to be aware of how easily gender-atypical youths can be hurt in terms of body, sex, or emotions. Gender-atypical individuals refer explicitly to males with feminine qualities and females with masculine qualities, namely those who deviate from traditional gender expectations and often labeled as sissy or tomboy by society. Since gender-atypical behaviors are deemed to deviate from the mainstream, destabilize the power-based social construct in which male is associated with dominance while the female is related to submissiveness and is associated with homosexuality, Boys who act in ways that are associated with femininity and girls who act in ways that are associated with masculinity are at a high risk of becoming rejected, bullied or victimized. It is of great necessity for the secondary school teachers and relevant organization to take initiatives to develop strategies that specifically support gender-atypical students because primary and secondary schools have previously been more traditional and resistant to social change and students at that age are more likely to reinforce the patriarchal social system and conventional gender norms. To buffer the victimization and distress gender-atypical youngsters encounter in their lives and help them develop into healthy adults with self-love and self-acceptance, secondary school teachers should reform teaching practices and programming decisions to establish a supportive and inclusive school environment and apply what they have learned about gender disparities and gender norms into practice to encourage their students to embrace a positive view on heterogeneity and diversity. Moreover, knowledge about homosexuality should be popularized to abate the negativity of homophobia.

Gender-specific personal values and life priorities: Insights from the Bedouin minority in Israel

Abstract Introduction Personal values play a crucial role in shaping health behaviors and decision-making. The study aimed to explore the values and priorities of the Bedouin minority in Israel using the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-21). While the PVQ-21 is widely used, few studies have examined its use among minority populations in Israel. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 331 Bedouin participants in Southern Israel. Participants completed the PVQ-21 questionnaire, which measures four key values related to self-transcendence (universalism and benevolence), self-enhancement (achievement and power), openness to change (self-direction, stimulation and hedonism), and conservation (security, conformity and tradition). Results The overall PVQ-21 score was significantly higher (p < 0.001) among Bedouin males (6.40±0.67) than females (5.92±0.89). Gender differences were significantly higher among men in self-transcendence (7.02±0.9 vs. 6.02± 1.21, respectively) and conservation (7.04±0.73 vs. 6.11±1.07, respectively), but not in self-enhancement and openness to change. Specifically, significant differences (p < 0.05) in conservation values were observed between residents of recognized towns and residents of newly recognized/unrecognized villages (6.66±1.07 vs. 6.42±0.95, respectively). Religiosity, marital status, and education were significantly associated with self-transcendence and conservation values. Conclusions This study provides valuable insights into the personal values and priorities of the Bedouin minority in Israel. The results suggest that Bedouin women prioritize values related to benevolence and conservation, which may reflect the traditional gender roles and expectations within Bedouin society. Recognizing the cultural context and unique value orientations within minority populations is essential for developing effective and inclusive health promotion strategies that can contribute to reducing health disparities and improving overall well-being. Key messages • Gender differences in personal values among Bedouin minority in Israel highlight the importance of understanding cultural context. • Recognizing the value priorities of minority populations is crucial for developing effective and inclusive health promotion strategies that address health disparities.

From gender segregation to epistemic segregation: a case study of the school system in Iran

Abstract In this paper, I show that there is a bidirectional relationship between gender-based social norms and gender-segregated education policies that excludes girls from knowledge production within the Iranian school system. I argue that gender segregation in education reproduces hermeneutic inequality through the reinforcement of epistemic segregation as a form of epistemic injustice. In particular, I focus on gender-based instructional epistemic injustice, which refers to a set of epistemic practices that actively exclude a student or an education professional in their capacity as a knower from the process of knowledge production within an education system based on gender dynamics, roles, norms, or expectations. This, in addition, has an impact on schoolboys through the reproduction of active ignorance. I conclude that in societies such as Iran, where highly gendered norms play out in the school system and are further reinforced by that system, the result is not limited to gender segregation itself, but extends beyond it to a form of epistemic injustice that wrongs students by reproducing and reinforcing those highly gendered norms.

Help-Seeking Barriers for Latinx Victims of Intimate Partner Homicide: Insight From Survivors, Advocates, and Community Practitioners

Limited studies have considered the experiences of Latinx intimate partner homicide (IPH) survivors. A federally designated, culturally specific gender-based violence resource center partnered with nine community-based organizations to enhance culturally specific knowledge on IPH prevention by conducting listening sessions and key informant interviews with Latinx survivors, advocates, and community practitioners. The current study analyzed data from the larger project to explore help-seeking barriers encountered by Latinx IPH survivors, specifically cisgender and transgender women. Results identified six themes impacting help-seeking: an inaccessible criminal justice system, inequitable resources, immigrant identity, gender role beliefs and expectations, a lack of culturally sensitive services, and family concerns. Policy implications and future research are discussed.

“Laughing in the Face of Patriarchy”:

Comics for children have a unique ability to entertain and educate young readers. Often dismissed as comical or unserious, comics are actually an important form of literature that can have a profound impact on children’s beliefs and values. This article will examine various approaches to feminist humor in the context of cultural studies in Mafalda, a popular Argentine comic strip that ran from 1964 to 1973, created by cartoonist Quino. The comic features a precocious and socially aware six-year-old girl named Mafalda, who frequently comments on politics, philosophy, and social issues, criticizing societal norms and structures. She constantly grapples with and questions the societal, political, and moral landscapes of her time, making astute observations that prompt readers to reflect on the complex world she is navigating. Beyond the humor and light-hearted exchanges, Mafalda emerges as a significant cultural text. It seamlessly intertwines entertainment with critical reflection, offering its audience not just a moment of leisurely reading but also compelling them to reckon with the profound questions and critiques articulated by its young protagonist. The use of humor in Mafalda not only serves as a form of critique but also empowers young girls and challenges the dominant gender narratives, because the comic employs gendered humor as a means of challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes. This article explores the role of humor in Mafalda, specifically in relation to gender and how it challenges gender norms and expectations, ultimately offering a new perspective on gender and power dynamics in comics and beyond.

Moderating Role Of Gender In The Effect Of Perceived Parental Acceptance-Rejection On Social Appearance Anxiety

Social appearance anxiety is a condition that negatively affects a person's relationships in social life. It is assumed that particularly negative early socialization experiences within the family increase the risk of experiencing social appearance anxiety. It is known that there are societal pressures towards male and female appearances due to societal roles and gender expectations. Therefore, it is important to understand and compare the female and male perspectives to comprehend the development of social appearance anxiet. For these reasons, The main problem of this research is the moderator role of gender in the effect of perceived parental acceptance-rejection on social appearance anxiety.
 
 The study group of the research consists of 310 participants, 112 (36%) men and 198 (64%) women. The relevant literature was searched, and two theoretical models were formed, which included the variables that were the subject of the research, and the research was built on these variables. Within the scope of this construct, the predictive relationships between the related variables were tested. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the theoretical models created. It was determined that the theoretical models tested with Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) had acceptable fit indices. During the analysis, the findings were evaluated by using SPSS and AMOS package programs. In the findings; It was seen that perceived mother and father acceptance-rejection level had a positive effect on social appearance anxiety. In addition, it was determined that as men's perceived maternal and paternal rejection increased, they felt more social appearance anxiety compared to women. However, it was determined that while gender had a moderator role in the effect of perceived maternal acceptance-rejection on social appearance anxiety, gender did not have a moderator role in the effect of perceived father acceptance-rejection on social appearance anxiety. No studies have been found in the literature that examine perceived parental acceptance-rejection and social appearance anxiety together. This makes the current study valuable. Furthermore, considering that most studies on social appearance anxiety focus on individuals in adolescence, it is thought that this study will contribute to the literature as it is conducted with adult.

Butlerian Theory of Performativity in Kartini: Princess of Java

<p>This research examines Kartini in Kartini: Princess of Java through the lens of Judith Butler’s concepts of vulnerability and gender performativity. Butler argues that cultural norms and power structures shape individuals’ gender identities and render them inherently vulnerable to external influences. By applying Butler concepts to the stories in Kartini: Princess of Java, the article asserts that the characters not only conform to gender norms to gain recognition but also face vulnerability due to her position within societal structures. This research carried out in a qualitative framework. The analysis explored how the character performed gender roles and the implications of her actions in the social realm. The findings show that Kartini’s performative acts involves breaking free from the normative scripts assigned to women of her time. She confronts gender expectations through her outspokenness, challenging practices like early marriages and polygamy that perpetuate inequality. Her advocacy for women's education is a performative act that aims to disrupt the conventional roles of women and to open new possibilities for their empowerment. This performative activism is intricately intertwined with Kartini's vulnerability. She shares her inner struggles, aspirations, and conflicts, transcending the boundaries set by her society. Her vulnerability becomes a catalyst for social change, inspiring other women to join her cause and challenge existing norms. Kartini's willingness to embrace her vulnerability demonstrates authenticity and sincerity, making her advocacy relatable and impactful.</p>

Legitimacy and Respectability on the Skin: Bruises, Women’s Rugby and Situational Meaning

Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork, this article explores amateur rugby women’s reflexive negotiation of the bruises they earn as a result of the physicality of the game. On one hand, participants take pride in body marks that confirm their athletic strength and rugby identity and which grants them respect and belonging. On the other hand, these body marks can be anchors of stigma, signalling women’s rugby bodies as ‘deviant’ to non-initiated audiences. The article unpacks this tension between bruises as empowering or disempowering artefacts by demonstrating the situational and interactional nature of gendered dispositions and expectations. I show that the moral and symbolic order of entrenched gendered expectations is perpetuated in the flesh, but that it must be understood as being produced and reproduced in situ through intercorporeal processes. Through the analysis of bruises, I argue that to study bodies is to study (social) space.

The Pragmatics of Refusal: A Study of Parent-Daughter Communication Dynamics in Saudi Arabia

This study examines the realization of refusal speech acts by female Saudi Arabic speakers in response to parental requests, focusing on the potential impact of parental gender and request imposition on refusal strategies. Sixty participants from (anonymous) University completed a written discourse completion test (DCT) containing six scenarios with varying degrees of imposition (low, medium, high) featuring either a mother or a father. Findings revealed significant variations in refusal strategies directed toward mothers and fathers, influenced by gender expectations and imposition levels. Saudi females predominantly employed the "Excuse, reason, explanation" strategy with both parents but demonstrated distinct strategies in high-imposition request situations when interacting with fathers versus mothers. Females tended to use the "Attempt to dissuade interlocutor" strategy with fathers and the "Statement of alternative" approach with mothers. Furthermore, Saudi daughters were less inclined to use direct refusals when responding to fathers compared to mothers. These findings highlight communication, power, and relationship dynamics within Saudi families, potentially leading to distinct communication patterns and expectations among interlocutors.

"It’s like a happy little affirmation circle": a grounded theory study of nonbinary peoples’ internal processes for navigating binary gender norms

Background: Nonbinary people experience marginalization through discrimination, rejection, microaggressions, and stigma as a result of not always conforming to societal gender norms embedded in the gender binary. There is limited research about how nonbinary Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) living in the United States navigate societally enforced binary gender norms, which is especially important to understand given how racism and Euro-colonization have enforced the gender binary. Better understanding the internal strategies nonbinary people use to cope, embody affirmation, and regulate emotions in response to marginalizing experiences could increase understanding of how to best prevent and address the health disparities experienced by nonbinary people. Aim: Drawing on the practices of interrogating norms central to queer theory with a sensitization to racism and settler colonialism, this study aimed to identify a framework to understand nonbinary peoples’ processes of navigating gender norms internally through their lived experiences with an awareness of how context impacts these processes. Method: This qualitative interview study utilized construcitivist grounded theory methodology, guided by queer theory. Twenty-one nonbinary individuals were interviewed over Zoom with 15 being BIPOC. Results: Participants navigated binary gender norms internally by self-defining affirmative nonbinary ways of being, noticing affirmation in a chosen community that allowed them to experience existing authentically outside of binary gender norms, and internally connecting to an embodied, authentic sense of gender within themselves and in community with other nonbinary people. These internal processes were influenced by two contextual factors: societal and cultural expectations of gender; and the contextual impacts of holding multiple marginalized identities. Discussion: Understanding the contexts of the gender binary, racism, and cissexism that impact nonbinary people on a daily basis is crucial for mental health professionals, researchers, policy makers, and creators of gender inclusive education and support programs to support and affirm nonbinary people.

Young Afghan-Canadian Women’s Negotiations of Gendered Cultural Scripts and Hybrid Cultural Identities

Abstract A hybrid identity is neither a happy nor an undesirable mixture; it involves negotiating sometimes two contrasting cultural identities of the home and host nations. Research on post-migratory negotiations of gender identity, roles, and expectations has found that partner selection and marriage are significant cultural practices in a diasporic context. In this study, the authors contribute to two sets of literatures: studies on the lived experiences of Afghan-Canadian migrant and refugee women and postcolonial debates on cultural hybridity. The authors employ in-depth feminist interviews to reveal second-generation Afghan-Canadian women’s gendered negotiations of partner-selection practices and marital ceremonies, including their resistance and conformity to these practices through the mobilization of their hybrid diasporic identities. Overall, the study design allows the authors to situate the voices of young Afghan women at the forefront.