Norms Shape Research Articles

The Vitality of the Binary Gender Norm: The Entanglements of Wine Production, Biosociocultural Indicators, Reggaeton, Masculinities, Normality in Schools, and Water Management

This article presents the binary gender norm (BGN) as an active and lively concept. To show how gender happens and manifests more as an entanglement than as individual cases in particular communities or locations, the study examines this operation in the context of six apparently unrelated case studies produced simultaneously between 2019 and 2021. Addressing the topics of wine production, biosociocultural indicators, reggaeton, masculinities, normality in schools, and water management, these case studies help show how the binary gender norm maintains itself in invisible ways and responds to any methodological practice employed. How does gender persist as an implacable force that produces stigmatized differences among humans, and why does it seem normal? How is it that, despite all the sophisticated theories and research practices, the binary gender norm finds a way to become gender again? The binary gender norm is familiar but illogical; it is also mutable, sympathetic, and playful. Situated in post-humanist thinking, this article presents a theoretical and methodological discussion on how the binary gender norm shapes itself to continue framing lives.

Local Norms, Political Partisanship, and Pandemic Response: Evidence from the United States

A growing literature focuses on the role of political partisanship in shaping attitudes and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. We provide a different perspective, by developing a theory of how partisanship interacts with another important factor that shapes how people think and behave in the context of the pandemic—local norms. Using a combination of survey data and a survey experiment, we demonstrate the importance of norms in shaping both support for social distancing and reported social-distancing behavior, particularly amongst independents and Republicans. We then confirm that perceptions of norms are indeed tied to what is actually happening around people—that their partisanship does not blind them to reality. Our analysis is the first to examine how partisanship and norms interact with each other and helps to explain why partisan differences matter more in some places than in others.

Understanding sexual violence in sex working populations-Law, legal consciousness and legal practice in four countries (2021-2023): Study Protocol v2.5.

Globally, the most important human rights and public health issue that sex workers face is their experience of high levels of violence (Kinnell, 2006, Kinnell, 2008, Alexander, 1999). Deering's systematic review estimated levels of sexual violence in sex working populations as being between 14% and 54% (Deering et al, 2014). This international, robust mixed methods study will explore the frequency of sexual violence against sex workers, barriers in criminal justice and the legal consciousness of sex workers regarding their rights and consent. The hypothesis to be tested is that the safety of sex workers from sexual violence is mediated by the differing legal contexts of sex work environments. We will compare experiences across research sites in the context of legalisation (Nevada USA), client criminalisation (Northern Ireland), decriminalisation (New Zealand) and partial criminalisation (England, Scotland and Wales) [henceforth ESW]. An international survey (n = 1,000) will be translated into several languages, to disaggregate experiences by demographic categories (gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation) and sex work sector (including online, street-based and brothels). Interviews (n = 100) with sex workers, police, prosecutors and service providers will be thematically analysed to explore legal consciousness, why the patterns occur and contextualise the statistical findings. These data will be supplemented with comparative legislative, policy and case analysis. Research study data will be used to compare the social factors and legal norms shaping sex workers experiences of sexual violence, justice and support interventions. Recommendations for a 'best practice' review of legal improvements and support interventions will be produced following completion of the study. Given the sensitive nature of the research, robust ethical and data protection mechanisms are in place. The research has ethical approval from each research site, an Advisory Board and trained, paid peer researchers to assist with data gathering, analysis and dissemination. The study will report findings in 2023/2024.

Navigating non‐normative roles: Experiences of female‐breadwinning couples in Pakistan

AbstractThis study aims to explore the experiences of female‐breadwinning couples (FBCs) in Pakistan. Using the constructivist grounded theory approach, a sample of twenty participants (10 male and 10 females) was interviewed. The study findings show that FBCs experience social stigmatisation, social isolation and differential treatment. These couples are viewed as abnormal, different and violators of the normative gendered expectations. FBCs not only experience societal backlash, but their relationship dynamics are also negatively affected. To deal with societal responses and relationship problems, these couples adopt various normalisation strategies such as exercising discretion, relocation and performing gender identities. This study contributes to the literature by providing a culturally informed perspective on how deeply embedded gender norms shape interpersonal dynamics, normalisation strategies and overall experiences with non‐normative roles. The study also suggests for a more explicit consideration of cultural and normative contexts to enrich the application of social psychological theories.

Navigating norms and expectations: the influence of culture on Latino couples and their interpersonal communication and coping post-breast cancer diagnosis

ABSTRACT Objectives Cultural norms shape expectations, care, and communication. Effective interpersonal communication is a prominent predictor of patient-partner cancer management, improving the overall quality of life for the dyad by increasing their ability to cope with cancer. However, couples-based cancer interventions often do not consider cultural factors. Additionally, although Latinas have a high incidence of breast cancer, few studies focus on Latino couples and the influence of culture in cancer care interventions. This study focuses on understanding how Latino culture’s norms and expectations influence how couples communicate and cope post-breast cancer diagnosis. Design This study conducted interviews and focus groups with a purposive sample of Spanish-speaking Latina breast cancer survivors (N = 21) and intimate partners (N = 5). In the focus group and interviews, participants were asked about the influence cancer had on their relationship, with specific questions focusing on communication within the dyad. The study team used CARV: Community-Engaged Adaptation with Rapid Analysis and Visualization framework to identify cultural considerations and recurring themes. Results The cross-cutting cultural considerations and themes found were: the negative influence of gendered and social norms on managing emotions and coping; the silent struggle with physical intimacy; and the inability to discuss the topic – or even say the word ‘cancer.’ Conclusion Understanding the role of Latino culture in how couples cope with and communicate about cancer post-diagnosis is essential. This understanding will help strengthen the dyad by assisting with positive interpersonal support, which contributes to a better quality of life. These findings will also help providers assist dyads in navigating the cancer diagnosis and journey, helping to lessen the interpersonal stress and tensions that can occur after diagnosis.

Connecting gender norms and economic performance reveals gendered inequities in Malawian small-scale fish trade

Women play key roles in fish value chains, especially post-harvest processing and marketing of fish products. However, gendered inequities in small-scale fishery value chains persist around the globe, limiting livelihood benefits for many women and their households. This study uses a mixed methods approach to investigate how gender norms shape gendered inequities in marketing margins for fish retailers in small-scale fishery value chains. In the empirical case of usipa (Engraulicypris sardella) trade in Malawi, we find that there is nearly equal participation in fish retail between females and males. Yet, there is a statistically significant difference in marketing margins between female and male usipa retailers, with female retailers earning less. We find that gender norms indirectly impact marketing margins by disproportionately constraining time for women, shaping household decision-making regarding women’s spending, limiting women’s access to resources including financial services and fish, and maintaining patriarchal power dynamics. Despite these results, we find that there remains a dominant discourse among men that gender does not impact marketing margins. In connecting specific gender norms, revealed through qualitative methods, to specific livelihood outcomes, measured through quantitative methods, this study provides new insight into gendered inequities in small-scale fish trade.

Anti-Corruption Education Policy Outputs for Combatting Corruption in Indonesia: Applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Corruption is a bureaucratic disease that has become as entrenched as the common cold, undermining governments globally. Proactive government policies can reduce corruption crimes through prosecution, prevention and education. The Indonesian government has implemented a ‘trident’ corruption eradication policy in educational institutions aiming to shape the attitudes, norms and behaviour of the nation’s younger generation. Unfortunately, the existing literature is limited in assessing the policy output of preventing and eradicating corruption, particularly the effectiveness of anti-corruption education among university students. A policy output evaluation perspective is offered to fill this research gap. This study aims to evaluate the policy output of anti-corruption education in shaping attitudes, norms and behaviour using the theory of planned behaviour. A quantitative approach and survey method were chosen, and a total of 125 respondents participated. The partial least squares algorithm and bootstrapping methods were used to analyse the data. The study’s results reveal that perceived behaviour control, attitude, subjective norm have significant influences on students’ intention. Perceived behaviour control has significant influences on students’ anti-corruption behaviour, though attitudes do not affect students’ anti-corruption behaviour. The findings also show that it has a good level of effectiveness in anti-corruption education policy outputs in achieving policy goals. Our policy recommendations include socialisation about anti-corruption to the community, implementing ideology education and upholding the law on corruption to increase the success of corruption prevention and eradication policies.

Revealing Interactions between Temperature and Salinity and Their Effects on the Growth of Freshwater Diatoms by Empirical Modelling

Salinization and warming are of increasing concern for freshwater ecosystems. Interactive effects of stressors are often studied in bifactorial, two-level experimental setups. The shape of environmental reaction norms and the position of the “control” conditions along them, however, can influence the sign and magnitude of individual responses as well as interactive effects. We empirically model binary-stressor effects in the form of three-dimensional reaction norm surfaces. We monitored the growth of clonal cultures of six freshwater diatoms, Cymbella cf. incurvata, Nitzschia linearis, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Melosira varians, Ulnaria acus, and Navicula gregaria at various temperature (up to 28 °C) and salinity (until the growth ceased) shock treatments. Fitting a broad range of models and comparing them using the Akaike information criterion revealed a large heterogeneity of effects. A bell-shaped curve was often observed in the response of the diatoms to temperature changes, while their growth tended to decrease with increasing electrical conductivity. C. meneghiniana was more tolerant to temperature, whilst C. incurvata and C. meneghiniana were the most sensitive to salinity changes. Empirical modelling revealed interactive effects of temperature and salinity on the slope and the breadth of response curves. Contrasting types of interactions indicates uncertainties in the estimation by empirical modelling.

Social norms shape visual appearance: Taking a closer look at the link between social norm learning and perceptual decision-making

One of the most fundamental questions in social psychology is whether norms can change individuals' minds by shaping the visual appearance of stimuli. This question was first raised by Muzafer Sherif (1935). Drawing on the extended social reinforcement account (Germar and Mojzisch, 2019), we aimed to provide a rigorous test of the hypothesis that norm learning leads to a persistent perceptual bias and, hence, to a change in the visual appearance of stimuli. From a methodological perspective, we used both a diffusion model approach and the method of adjustment, a well-established technique from psychophysics and vision research. The results of Experiments 1–3 show that norm effects on perceptual decision-making are robustly replicable, and are due to genuine social influence, that is, they cannot be explained by non-social priming, contingency learning effects (Experiments 1 and 2) or anchoring effects (Experiment 3). Most importantly, by using a psychophysical approach, Experiment 4 shows, for the first time, that social norm learning alters individuals' point of subjective equality and, hence, the visual appearance of stimuli.

Global Health Expertise in the Shadow of Hegemony

What enables actors to shape norms in global health governance? Scholarship on global health has highlighted the role of experts and expertise in operationalizing norms across a variety of issues. The degree of expert consensus or dissensus and the negotiation processes between expert communities—for example, in international organizations, NGOs or academia—are commonly identified as centrally important for explaining these processes. In this article, we posit that norm-making in global health governance occurs in the shadow of hegemony; a system of status and stratification that is centered on economic and security concerns and maintained by countries at the core of the world system. These countries—notably the USA and other major economies in the Global North—project their hegemonic position in the world system across areas of global organizing, including in global health. We explore the relationship between epistemic consensus and hegemonic interests as parameters that shape the outcome of norm-making processes. To pursue this argument, we examine this relationship in the context of the development of policy norms to counter non-communicable diseases in developing countries and to pursue the securitization of global health.

Hi-fun among men who have sex with men in Bangkok: A scoping study exploring key informants' perspectives on hi-fun contexts, harms and support strategies.

The use of specific drugs (e.g. methamphetamine, GHB/GBL and other stimulants) to enhance sex among men who have sex with men (MSM), is the focus of global public health concern because of links to social harms, poor mental and sexual health. Often called 'chemsex' in Western settings or 'hi-fun' in Southeast Asia, this type of sexualised drug use is increasingly visible in Thailand where the unique sociocultural and legislative environments shape sexual cultures and harms. This study aimed to develop an understanding of key informants' perspectives on hi-fun contexts, harms and current responses in Bangkok. In-depth interviews were conducted with thirteen key informants from clinical, community, policy and development organisations. Four key informants had personal experience of hi-fun. Interviews covered hi-fun contexts, harms and support, were transcribed verbatim, translated to English (where necessary) and analysed using a thematic framework. MSM hi-fun 'influencers' shape norms and provide support online, primarily through Twitter. Hi-fun was linked to Westernisation and wealth; complex hierarchies emerged from asymmetries in social/financial capital. Police coercion towards MSM engaged in hi-fun was a concern. Given the nature of their funding, HIV/HCV/STI transmission was the most pressing focus for many organisations, however key informants were concerned especially about drug overdoses and mental health/well-being impacts. The political and economic context means funding for MSM health in Thailand focuses primarily on HIV prevention/treatment; restrictions on development aid constrain holistic hi-fun focused service development. Most hi-fun support was informally developed; successful strategies relied on partnership working and peer developed/delivered services, some of which were adapted from high-income settings. Despite substantial barriers, organisations developed services responding to the needs of MSM engaged in hi-fun. Given that many were informally developed or adapted from high-income settings, establishing a theoretical basis for further interventions that is grounded in this unique context is a priority.

The state of women’s empowerment in fisheries in rural Bicol, the Philippines

ABSTRACT This study examined the state of women’s empowerment in fishing communities in the Bicol Region, the Philippines. Using the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology, the results revealed that the ability to participate in making decisions related to productive resources (e.g. boat, fishing gear, fish processing equipment) and having access to and control over such resources were the key factors that contribute to women’s disempowerment in the study area. Furthermore, women were found to be in a less favourable position due to lower levels of formal education, large household size, limited sources for livelihood diversification, patriarchal norms shaping household headship, and meagre share in household income. On a positive note, control over household income and leadership in the community emerged as sources of women’s empowerment. Drawing on these findings, efforts to empower women should focus on providing them more access to formal and informal education, social infrastructure, microfinance services, and labour-saving technologies.

The Role of Religion in Shaping Gender Norms and Attitudes: A Case Study of Tanzania

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of religion in the shaping of gender norms and attitudes in the Tanzanian culture.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the role of religion in the shaping of gender norms and attitudes.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Constructionism theory, Symbolic Interactionism theory and the Intersectionality model may be used to anchor future studies on the role of religion in the shaping of gender norms and attitudes. Religious beliefs, teachings, and practices have a profound influence on societal expectations, reinforcing traditional gender roles and contributing to the perpetuation of gender inequalities. The findings highlight the complex interplay between religion and gender, with religious affiliation often associated with more conservative gender attitudes and the acceptance of gender-based violence. Recommendations drawn from the study include the promotion of gender sensitive religious education, engaging religious leaders and institutions, fostering interfaith dialogues, strengthening women’s empowerment programs, supporting grassroots initiates amongst others.

Impact of Sumadhur intervention on fertility and family planning decision-making norms: a mixed methods study

BackgroundMindful of social norms shaping health among women pressured to prove early fertility in Nepal, a bi-national research team developed and piloted a 4-month intervention engaging household triads (newly married women, their husbands, and mothers-in-law) toward advancing gender equity, personal agency, and reproductive health. This study evaluates the impact on family planning and fertility decision-making.MethodsIn 2021, Sumadhur was piloted in six villages with 30 household triads (90 participants). Pre/post surveys of all participants were analyzed using paired sample nonparametric tests and in-depth interviews with a subset of 45 participants were transcribed and analyzed thematically.ResultsSumadhur significantly impacted (p < .05) norms related to pregnancy spacing and timing, and sex preference of children, as well as knowledge about family planning benefits, pregnancy prevention methods, and abortion legality. Family planning intent also increased among newly married women. Qualitative findings revealed improved family dynamics and gender equity, and shed light on remaining challenges.ConclusionsEntrenched social norms surrounding fertility and family planning contrasted with participants’ personal beliefs, highlighting needed community-level shifts to improve reproductive health in Nepal. Engagement of influential community- and family-members is key to improving norms and reproductive health. Additionally, promising interventions such as Sumadhur should be scaled up and reassessed.

The Urban Environment and Disparities in Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes in the Global South: a Scoping Review.

By 2050, the Global South will contain three-quarters of the world's urban inhabitants, yet no standardized categorizations of urban areas exist. This makes it challenging to compare sub-groups within cities. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are a critical component of ensuring that populations are healthy and productive, yet SRHR outcomes within and across urban settings vary significantly. A scoping review of the literature (2010-2022) was conducted to describe the current body of evidence on SRHR in urban settings in the Global South, understand disparities, and highlight promising approaches to improving urban SRHR outcomes. A total of 115 studies were identified, most from Kenya (30 articles; 26%), Nigeria (15; 13%), and India (16; 14%), focusing on family planning (56; 49%) and HIV/STIs (43; 37%). Findings suggest significant variation in access to services, and challenges such as gender inequality, safety, and precarious circumstances in employment and housing. Many of the studies (n = 84; 80%) focus on individual-level risks and do not consider how neighborhood environments, concentrated poverty, and social exclusion shape behaviors and norms related to SRHR. Research gaps in uniformly categorizing urban areas and key aspects of the urban environment make it challenging to understand the heterogeneity of urban environments, populations, and SRHR outcomes and compare across studies. Findings from this review may inform the development of holistic programs and policies targeting structural barriers to SRHR in urban environments to ensure services are inclusive, equitably available and accessible, and direct future research to fill identified gaps.

Prior behavior and wording of norm nudge requests shape compliance and reciprocity

AbstractWe examined the effect of explicit norm nudge requests for compliance in a field study on workplace dishonesty and three controlled experiments on reciprocity. The requests were presented either with affirmation (e.g., “please pay” and “please remember to pay”) or negation (e.g., “please, do not forget to pay”) and solicited by either one person or three people who were also the beneficiaries of compliance. We also explored how these requests affected first time and repeated behaviors. We found no effect of the number of people soliciting the requests. However, we did find that for first‐time behaviors, any request increased compliance compared with no request, and those worded with affirmation were more effective than those worded with negation. We replicated this pattern in repeated behaviors—both at the group and at the individual level—but only when the initial compliance, before the request, was low. Importantly, no increase emerged when individuals did not receive requests, showing that requests only, and not regression to the mean, explained the effect.

ReclaimingSTEM: A healing-centered counterspace model for inclusive science communication and policy training

The dominant U.S. cultural norms shape science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and in turn, these norms shape science communication, further perpetuating oppressive systems. Despite being a core scientific skill, science communication research and practice lack inclusive training spaces that center marginalized identities. We address this need with a healing-centered counterspace grounded in the key principles of inclusive science communication: ReclaimingSTEM. ReclaimingSTEM is a science communication and science policy training space that centers the experiences, needs, and wants of people from marginalized communities. ReclaimingSTEM problematizes and expands the definitions of “what counts” as science communication. We organize ReclaimingSTEM with intentionality, emphasizing inclusion at every part of the process. Since initiating in 2018, five ReclaimingSTEM workshops have been held in multiple locations, both in-person and virtually, reaching more than 700 participants from all over the globe. In this paper, we share our model for ReclaimingSTEM, reflections of workshop participants and speakers, barriers faced during organizing, and recommendations for creating truly inclusive practices in science communication spaces.

Immigration and Intergenerational Co-Residency Among Working-Aged Adults in the United Kingdom.

Studies in the United Kingdom have shown distinctions in intergenerational co-residency between UK-born and foreign-born individuals, however, little research has examined how factors such as immigrant incorporation, economic adaptation, and kin availability shape household formation patterns among immigrants. This paper uses data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (2009-2010) to explore differences in the likelihood of UK-born and foreign-born working-aged adults to co-reside with at least one parent, highlighting distinctions by life stage (age) at migration and gender. Results show that, regardless of life stage at migration, foreign-born women and men are less likely to co-reside with parents than UK-born, however, intergenerational co-residency is high among some second-generation immigrant groups, particularly UK-born Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi individuals. These findings challenge cultural assumptions about household formation patterns and point to the need for additional research on how economic inequality, kin availability, and gender norms shape immigrant household composition.

Climate Politics and the Power of Religion, edited by EVAN BERRY

Is religion an overlooked resource in the quest to overcome international gridlock on climate change? Or is its power exaggerated, doomed to fizzle once lofty ideals meet real life? These two questions once served as the intellectual centers of gravity in discussions of religions and climate change. Evan Berry’s edited volume Climate Politics and the Power of Religion marks a welcome new phase of scholarship, one that shifts our attention from questions about the potential of religion writ large to questions about specific religions, at specific times, scales, and places. A companion volume to Understanding Climate Change Through Religious Lifeworlds (edited by David Haberman, 2021), Climate Politics and the Power of Religion aims to address three gaps in the existing literature: the paucity of literature on religions outside the richer countries of the global north (especially Christianity); a secular bias in the social scientific literature on climate change; and inadequate attention to politics in the religion and environment literature (3). To accomplish this, the volume assembles scholars from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, with a heavy emphasis on anthropology—a natural outcome of the project’s stated aim of emphasizing ethnographic scholarship (vii). The chapters of Part I analyze the role of religious actors and ideas in national-level climate policy discussions, via case studies in the Philippines, Trinidad, and India. The chapters in Part II articulate theoretical concerns about the treatment of religion in climate research. Part III investigates “novel and emerging modes of religious engagement with climate politics” (7) in India, Peru, and Puerto Rico. Crosscutting these divisions are three broad questions, the answers to which are assessed in the final chapter: how are religious actors shaping national and transnational climate disputes, how are religious norms shaping the understanding and experience of climate change on the ground, and finally, how is climate change changing religions.

Solid waste management regulation in the informal settlements: A social-ecological context from Kampala city, Uganda

So far, literature on solid waste management regulation in the informal settlements of Sub-Saharan African cities has yet to enlist the social-ecological context. To examine this context, we employ a mixed methods approach to collect data on waste management regulations and practices in the Makindye informal settlements. Our study reveals that multiple waste management practices are conducted simultaneously by households. Poor socio-economic status, spatial challenges and ignorance of regulations determine undesirable waste management practices such as open dumping and burning. Desirable practices such as waste sorting or recycling are neither merely practiced for monetary gain nor in observance of regulation. Practices, whether desirable or not, are acquired through interactions in the community, where formal rules, as well as informal ones, are at play. Notably, most residents are unaware of waste management regulations for Kampala city or their community. Thus, some residents engage in illegal waste management practices without the inclination to commit an offense, while others adopt “community malpractices”. However, residents are relatively more aware of informal rules than formal ones confirming the role of socialization. We argue that practices are not by instinct; therefore, while regulations shape values and norms, the reverse should also be true. Since residents are unaware of prevalent formal rules, we conclude that policymakers and enforcers may not have effectively socialized residents on regulatory instruments to transform undesired values and norms. Consequently, values and norms at the intrapersonal and interpersonal levels have influenced behaviors more than policies enforced by the government. Thus, sensitization initiatives should focus on socialization structures if responsive behaviors that conform to guidelines for better waste management practices are to be promoted in the informal settlements of Sub-Saharan African cities.