Gender Norms Research Articles

Effectiveness of Father-Focused Interventions to Prevent or Reduce Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy and Early Parenthood: A Systematic Review

During pregnancy and the early parenting period, women are especially vulnerable to intimate partner violence (IPV), with devastating impacts on women, children, and families. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of father-focused interventions to prevent or reduce IPV during pregnancy and early parenthood. Six databases were searched, using a combination of the concepts “fathers,” “pregnancy/early parenthood,” “IPV” and “intervention.” Articles were double screened by title and abstract, and then full-text. Methodological and reporting quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool. Fifteen papers were eligible for inclusion; these articles were mostly of poor-to-moderate quality. Only three of the articles reported on interventions in lower- and middle-income countries. The most common forms of IPV addressed in these interventions were physical (10), psychological (8), sexual (4), and economic/financial (3). Of 12 articles reporting on data from both intervention and control groups, only six indicated statistically significant results; among these, only three reported robust analyses showing significantly greater reduction in IPV in intervention than in control groups. All three took place in lower- or middle-income countries. Two were underpinned by theoretical frameworks, which considered transforming traditional perceived gender norms. Therefore, interventions based on principles that address transformation of gender norms show promise but the success of such underlying principles needs to be confirmed, and better-quality evidence and reporting are needed for interventions targeting fathers to prevent or reduce IPV.

GLOBALIZATION'S DOUBLE EDGE: ASSESSING ITS IMPACT ON WOMEN

The duple outcome of globalization has had a compelling sway on women all across the globe as it offers prospects as well as complications. On the one hand, today’s women now have more options to contribute through work, access to education, and healthcare which is a result of improved economic opportunities derived from globalization where technology disseminates ideas to share with the world, empowering women to establish and confront the world for their rights but with the uninterrupted gender-based exploitation, with the forced low remunerations accompanied by the ambiguous employment in some specific sectors like manufacturing. Furthermore, the deconstruction of social safety nets brought about by the neoliberal policies that accompanied globalization has increased the care obligations placed on women which hinders admittance of their access to economic opportunities, which makes women's experiences with the current phenomenon of globalization more complex and context-specific, which demand a detailed and comprehensive evaluation to ensure the fair distribution of its positive outcomes by minimizing its negative effects. This study analyses the impact of globalization on women in the underdeveloped and developed nations. It is a noticeable fact that globalization positively supports East Asian countries by providing more opportunities that generate economic prosperity but also results in inequality and exploitation, specifically for females and children living in less or least developed areas. Because of the reduction in public services, women in these areas often experience low earnings, unfavorable working conditions, and an increase in household duties. According to this study, globalization tends to uphold unfair labor practices and discriminatory gender norms even when it can give women access to the workforce and financial independence so there is no doubt in the fact that, Gender inequality and economic development both go hand in hand in developing countries, where women are more likely to be exploited and have lower levels of economic engagement.

‘Saying No’: Frames of Sexual Abuse in Survivors’ Narratives

AbstractUsing qualitative interviews with survivors and activists against sexual violence in the Catholic Church in Switzerland, this article suggests that the expression “saying no” or the idea of “refusal” frames discussions regarding child sexual abuse with detrimental consequences. This discourse is sometimes linked to a restrictive understanding of sexual consent and is applied to children in very asymmetrical relationships, who should be placed outside the scope of sexual consent. Particularly for men who have been sexually abused as children, this understanding of consent is referred to when speaking about sexual abuse. This asks questions about the gender norms influencing the discourse of consent and the challenges of understanding oneself as a victim of abuse. The article argues for a critical examination of the concept of consent and its connection to children and minors. It suggests that it is crucial, as many (feminist) scholars in different fields have argued, to abandon a negative standard of consent (saying no, resisting) in politics against sexual violence and instead focus on the capability to participate in and determine the sexual relationship.

From conceptualising to modelling structural determinants and interventions in HIV transmission dynamics models: a scoping review and methodological framework for evidence-based analyses

Abstract Background Including structural determinants (e.g. criminalisation, stigma, inequitable gender norms) in dynamic HIV transmission models is important to help quantify their population-level impacts and guide implementation of effective interventions that reduce the burden of HIV and inequalities thereof. However, evidence-based modelling of structural determinants is challenging partly due to a limited understanding of their causal pathways and few empirical estimates of their effects on HIV acquisition and transmission. Methods We conducted a scoping review of dynamic HIV transmission modelling studies that evaluated the impacts of structural determinants, published up to August 28, 2023, using Ovid Embase and Medline online databases. We appraised studies on how models represented exposure to structural determinants and causal pathways. Building on this, we developed a new methodological framework and recommendations to support the incorporation of structural determinants in transmission dynamics models and their analyses. We discuss the data and analyses that could strengthen the evidence used to inform these models. Results We identified 17 HIV modelling studies that represented structural determinants and/or interventions, including incarceration of people who inject drugs (number of studies [n] = 5), violence against women (n = 3), HIV stigma (n = 1), and housing instability (n = 1), among others (n = 7). Most studies (n = 10) modelled exposures dynamically. Almost half (8/17 studies) represented multiple exposure histories (e.g. current, recent, non-recent exposure). Structural determinants were often assumed to influence HIV indirectly by influencing mediators such as contact patterns, condom use, and antiretroviral therapy use. However, causal pathways’ assumptions were sometimes simple, with few mediators explicitly represented in the model, and largely based on cross-sectional associations. Although most studies calibrated models using HIV epidemiological data, less than half (7/17) also fitted or cross-validated to data on the prevalence, frequency, or effects of exposure to structural determinants. Conclusions Mathematical models can play a crucial role in elucidating the population-level impacts of structural determinants and interventions on HIV. We recommend the next generation of models reflect exposure to structural determinants dynamically and mechanistically, and reproduce the key causal pathways, based on longitudinal evidence of links between structural determinants, mediators, and HIV. This would improve the validity and usefulness of predictions of the impacts of structural determinants and interventions.

Enhancing Professional Development for Science Teachers in Selected Elementary Schools in Suakoko Town, Bong County, Liberia

This paper probes into the multifaceted issues surrounding violence against women and challenges to girls' education in Liberia. Coomaraswamy's 2002 research underscored the role of cultural behaviors in family structures contributing significantly to violence against women. King and Winthrop's 2015 study explored factors such as poverty, gender norms, and cultural expectations, contributing to discussions on fair educational opportunities. Cunningham et al.'s 2023 research delved into gender disparities across economic, educational, healthcare, and political spheres, employing a women's empowerment perspective. Theoretical frameworks rooted in gender and social norm theories were employed to understand the impact of cultural identity on preschool girls' education in Liberia. The study focused on evaluating negative effects on preschool girls in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba counties, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to create a supportive environment. Coomaraswamy's 2002 insistence on rejecting the use of cultural considerations to justify violence against girls resonates globally. The study also highlighted disparities in girls' primary school enrollment rates in the region compared to the global average, emphasizing the urgency of addressing educational inequalities. Overall, this paper contributes valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and communities, advocating for positive change in Liberia's educational landscape and women's empowerment.

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.

Reclaiming Cross-Dressing: Masculinity Construction in the All-Female Yue Opera’s Shakespearean Adaptations

Because it offers the stage such scope for polyerotic interpretation, crossdressing has held an irresistible appeal to theatre practitioners across times and cultures, including Shakespeare in early modern England. The Shakespearean cross-dressing theatre, however, has long excited critical disapprobation as a cultural form which excluded women. However, can cross-dressing as a theatrical device be reclaimed by women as an alternative mode of Shakespearean performance? What academic and practical significance can a reversed, all-female casting of Shakespearean production offer? This paper will argue that the Chinese Yue opera’s Shakespeare adaptations may shed light on how gender impersonation can be used to express women’s wishes and desires. As the second largest Chinese opera genre, Yue opera is a theatreform in which all roles are played by actresses for a predominantly female audience. Interestingly, Shakespeare is also Yue opera’s most adapted foreign playwright. General Ma Long (2001, an adaptation of Macbeth) and Coriolanus and Duliniang (2016, an adaptation of Coriolanus) are two representative specimens of Yue opera Shakespearean adaptations with all-female casting. The male protagonists of both are played by cross-dressed actresses. How do Yue opera female performers, whose style is generally perceived as soft and feminine, stage the Shakespearean war heroes famous for their bloodthirsty masculinity? Deploying a theoretical framework based on Judith Butler’s gender performativity theory and Bertolt Brecht’s account of the epic theatre, this essay aims to examine the masculinity construction in the all-female Yue opera Shakespearean adaptations, in order to open a discussion of how cross-dressing can be used to deconstruct and reassemble gender norms.

Positive inclusive experiences of a same-sex desiring male Foundation Phase teacher

Background: Much work has been done to realise the discourse of diversity and gender equality in the perceived feminised Foundation Phase (FP) of teaching and learning. Part of the work was done through the inclusion of males in FP teaching to provide learners and teachers alike with diverse learning experiences. In South Africa, most research focuses on why FP teaching remains a feminised space, the marginalisation of few male FP teachers. However, less is known about male FP teachers’ positive inclusive experiences.Objectives: To contribute to the discussion by presenting Camagu’s case study, a same-sex desiring male FP teacher, and his positive inclusive experiences in a conservative context in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative single case study methodology employing photovoice to elicit Camagu’s positive inclusive experiences in FP teaching.Results: Findings revealed positive inclusive practices implemented by the school, discussed under two themes: Finding a sense of belonging through school structures and ‘It’s nice to have someone as different as you in the school …’ - Learners’ perspective.Conclusion: The study suggests a need for increased support for school leadership and teachers to promote inclusive policies and practices affirming diverse identities of all learners and teachers.Contribution: Camagu’s experiences offer new research dimension by sharing best practices for fostering inclusive school environments. The study challenges deeply rooted gender norms in South African education, particularly in FP teaching. It advocates for inclusion and acceptance of male teachers, regardless of their diverse gender and sexual orientations, promoting gender diversity.

Beyond inclusion politics: A critical discourse analysis of sex and gender in medical education.

Medical training refers frequently to sex and gender, yet these terms are often used vaguely and interchangeably with little critical engagement. We aimed to better understand the key discourses around sex and gender in medical training. All verbal and written instances of gendered/sexed language, occurring in lectures, slides and provided written materials, within 1year of preclerkship medical education at a single institution in Canada were recorded autoethnographically by a medical student. We analysed these instances using critical discourse analysis informed by anticolonial, feminist and queer theoretical perspectives, particularly contrasting the concepts of governmentality and ungovernability to better understand how sex and gender are deployed in medical training. Despite the proliferation of ostensibly queer- and trans-positive content in medical curricula, sex and gender were frequently communicated inconsistently and imprecisely. In addition to, and perhaps as a result of, this inconsistent use, we uncovered three key discourses of (1) gender policing, (2) misogyny and (3) gender legibility. Collectively, these discourses can illustrate how medical education governs and reinforces gender norms. The repetitive and everyday use of ill-defined and uncritical gendered and sexed language can be seen to discursively uphold systems of cisheteropatriarchy and transphobia within medicine. Trans and intersex bodies cannot be considered addendums to be tacked on to a foundation of cisnormative and inaccurate teaching in medical education. Institutional attempts to improve curricula must go beyond the addition of new modules, which can be undermined by otherwise cisheteropatriarchal understandings of sex and gender.

Women of Gülhane: multiple femininities and gendered spaces of ‘The Festival of Spring and Flowers’

This paper explores the discursive and spatial construction of feminine norms during the ‘Festival of Spring and Flowers,’ a momentous urban event held at Gülhane Park, İstanbul, from 1950 to 1960. Gülhane was a bustling and highly frequented location during the Festival, serving as a significant site of convergence, interaction, and contestation. Consequently, Gülhane provides a crystallized and concise cross-section of the ubiquitous femininities in 1950s Istanbul. Drawing upon textual and visual archival evidence, the author(s) argue that the Festival played a pivotal role in perpetuating gendered norms by consistently portraying ‘liberated, domesticated, and pariah’ femininities. Concomitant with the trifold construction of femininity, the space itself took on a ‘gendered persona’; Gülhane was depicted as a safe and sterile location when frequented by the ‘liberated and domesticated’ women, but was perceived as an ‘immoral’ space when ‘invaded’ by the ‘pariah’ women. The gendered history of 1950s İstanbul have been largely overlooked in the current scholarship, despite the emergence of new gendered norms alongside the transforming political landscape in Turkey during that time. This article will address this literature gap by conducting an in-depth historical analysis of the gender norms within the Festival. Additionally, this study will contribute to İstanbul’s urban literature by exploring the notable yet relatively uncharted Festival.

Navigating double liminality: Chinese returnees’ gendered experiences during border-crossing amidst COVID-19

In this study, we examine the gendered experiences of Chinese returnees within a double liminality formed by prolonged border crossing and the COVID-19. Through qualitative interviews, we identified three themes based on features of liminality observed by Victor Turner: 1) gender norms ostensibly challenged but actually reinforced in the anti-structure, 2) kinship and romantic relationships renegotiated for comradeship, and 3) gender awareness gained through personal reflexivity. We seek to uncover the profound effects of these experiences within a complex space-time construct between points of departure from host countries and arrival at home. We hope to enrich scholarly discussions of gender dynamics observed in transnational mobility during a global health crisis and facilitate policy makers’ recognition of the gendered disparities in treatment for physical and mental suffering during a pandemic border-crossing.

#FrauenSagenNein - bridging the divide: analyzing the affective network of gender-critical alliances

ABSTRACT The influence of anti-gender movements is on the rise globally as they seek to prevent the expansion of transgender rights. In Germany, the anti-gender debate has gained renewed intensity in the wake of the publication of the draft Self-Determination Act in June 2022. Within this discourse, two prominent groups of actors emerged: gender-critical feminists and right-wing populists. Despite their divergent ideological and political positions, the affordances of social media provide them with a platform for collaborative interactions. Thus, under issue-related hashtags, the boundaries between these actors are becoming increasingly blurred. This research utilizes affect theory and analysis of hashtag activism to investigate the collective protest on Twitter against the proposed Self-Determination Act. Employing social network analysis (SNA), the study identifies pivotal structures and actors within the #FrauenSagenNein (#WomenSayNo) network. Additionally, qualitative content analysis delves into the narratives and sentiments employed in constructing hostile portrayals of transgender individuals. The findings illustrate that #FrauenSagenNein served as a bridging tool that connects gender-critical feminists and right-wing populist actors, leading to their intersection. Based on these findings, it is vital to critically monitor such alliances to counter the spread of binary gender norms and heteronormative beliefs.

‘The change happens with our kids’: parent perspectives on gender diversity in sport and children’s literature

ABSTRACT Books have an influential role in children’s understandings of identity and the (re)production of and resistance to social norms. With limited diversity in children’s literature about sport, two children’s books were created that had as their central plot a challenge to dominant gender norms in ice hockey and in figure skating. Nine parents with children 10 years old and younger read the books and then participated in semi-structured interviews. Informed by queer theory, a critical discursive analysis of the transcripts was conducted. While gender diversity and sport remained central considerations, parents also reflected on the role that books might play in educating children as well as adults. Three interrelated themes were created: open dialogue, modelling action, and empowering exploration. Findings suggest that children’s books can be leveraged as educational tools for both children and the adults in their lives, including but not limited to destabilizing dominant gender discourse in sport and the larger cultural context.

Why gender norms matter

AbstractThis study examines the influence of gender norms on household behaviour and welfare. Using Japanese household data, we find that households with a conventional norm on gender roles spend more time on housework and less money on family‐common goods. To understand the underlying mechanism, we construct a collective labour supply model that explicitly introduces gender norms. We show that an inefficient ratio of wives' household time to that of husbands leads to an increase in the shadow price of domestic goods, through which the norm distorts the time and money allocated to home production and decreases household welfare.

Rethinking ‘Healthy Masculinity’ Training From a Queer Boys+ Perspective

ABSTRACT Contemporary discourses on feminism’s role in Australian boys’ lives focus on how feminism might guide strategies that train boys to resist negative or ‘toxic’ performances of masculinity and instead encourage them to strive for a ‘healthy’ or ‘positive’ masculinity. In this article, I question whether training young people to attach themselves to a particular masculinity is aligned with a commitment to queer politics or serves the interests of boys, particularly queer boys or gender-diverse young people. I begin by tracing unsettled contests over masculinity's ontological foundations, including the roles of biology, identification, ‘gendered’ traits, and affective attachments. Through the method of autoethnography, I then explore issues that arise in the logic and implementation of common desires to train boys into ‘healthy’ men. I argue that, drawing on a queer liberation tradition, feminism can be an invitation to solidarity and freedom as well as a ‘way out’ or ‘refuge’ from the regulatory policing of gender norms associated with boyhood. I suggest a detachment or disaffection with masculinity does not have to lead to an identity crisis and can instead be part of a feminist killjoy survival kit [Ahmed, Sara. 2017. Living a Feminist Life. Durham: Duke University Press].

Navigating the disclosure landscape: Parents' perspectives on healthcare professionals' role in supporting intersex children and families.

Intersex, an umbrella term, describes individuals with sex characteristics that cannot be exclusively categorized into binary definitions of male or female. The intersex community faces a lack of social visibility perpetuated by a history of medical discrimination and pathologization shaped by "normalizing" genital surgeries without the child's consent. Despite efforts to reform clinical practice, there remains a paucity of research centering the needs of the intersex community and their families. This study explored parents' perspectives on how healthcare professionals (HCPs), such as genetics professionals, can provide patient-centered education and support when parents first learn of their child's intersex variation, with the aim of offering recommendations to HCPs to promote parental adjustment and protect intersex children's right to autonomy. Thirteen qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 parents of intersex children. Through reflexive thematic analysis, under the framework of an agency-based approach to intersex health, thematic categories were inductively conceptualized, including barriers and facilitators to HCPs' sensitivity and to parental adjustment in the early disclosure environment. Barriers to HCPs' sensitivity were imposed by educational, religious, or medical institutions, along with sociocultural prejudices and pathologizing language. Barriers to parental adaptation included uncertainty regarding their child's future, sociocultural gender norms, and unsuitable information provision. Incorporating parental needs in the disclosure environment can facilitate familial acceptance, including normalization of variations of sex characteristics (VSCs), enhanced medical education, facilitation of patients' navigation, and prioritization of parents' social support needs.

Faith and Intimate Partner Violence in Rural South Africa

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of violence against women and is associated with risk factors at the individual, interpersonal and societal level. Women often resort to various coping mechanisms to manage their daily lives due to the complex nature by which these factors interact. We qualitatively interviewed a cohort of rural women participating in a microfinance “plus” program in South Africa where women received loans for small-scale business ventures and received training sessions on gender norms. Our findings detailed women’s experiences of IPV and the role of faith as a coping mechanism for navigating economic hardship and abuse. Belief in a higher power was predominant in almost every interview, offering a sense of purpose and optimism for the future amid precarious circumstances. Interventions for violence prevention need to consider the important role that faith can play in strengthening women’s sense of self and preventing IPV.

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.

Developmental Trajectories of Transactional Sex and Age-Disparate Relationships During Adolescence: An HPTN 068 Analysis.

Transactional sex and sexual relationships with older partners increase HIV risk in adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), yet little is known about how these behaviors co-evolve over time. We characterize temporal patterns of transactional sex and age-disparate relationships among AGYW in South Africa. Longitudinal data are from a randomized controlled trial (HPTN 068) of school-aged, HIV-negative, AGYW who attended ≥ 3 study visits. We used group-based trajectory modeling to identify trajectories of transactional sex and age-disparate relationships (partner ≥ 5 years older) in the last year and assessed the interrelationship (conditional probability) between both trajectories. At baseline, median age was 14 years, 14.5% of girls were sexually active, and transactional sex (2.1%) and age-disparate relationships were uncommon (2.7%). We identified two trajectories for transactional sex ("low" [81.9%] and "increasing" [18.1%]) and two for age-disparate relationships ("low" [91.7%] and "increasing" [8.3%]). In a separate joint trajectory analysis, nearly a third (28%) had increasing trajectories for both transactional sex and age-disparate relationships, but most (53%) had a low trajectory of both outcomes. Baseline reporting of early sexual debut, depression, and inequitable gender norms were highest in the increasing transactional sex group. Prior pregnancy, early sexual debut, and IPV were highest among those with increasing age-disparate relationships. AGYW who engage in transactional sex or age-disparate partnerships in early adolescence are more likely to experience sustained engagement in both behaviors as they transition to adulthood, increasing HIV risk. Engaging girls early may maximize effectiveness of behavioral and biomedical HIV prevention efforts.

Honour Killing in India and role of Khap Panchayats

A horrific example of cultural customs and society standards that put family honour ahead of personal freedom and rights are honour murders. throughout spite of societal disapproval and legal restrictions, these heinous crimes—which are mostly committed against women—recur throughout India. Examining the issue of honour murders in India, this study focuses especially on the important role that traditional caste-based councils known as Khap Panchayats play in rural areas. Honour murders are first contextualised in the study within the larger framework of patriarchal systems and deeply ingrained gender norms that characterise Indian culture. It also emphasises how political and law enforcement officials in the area have allowed honour killing offenders to operate with impunity, therefore highlighting the systemic character of the issue. The report also looks at community-based awareness programmes, grassroots activity, and legislative actions meant to stop honour murders and question Khap Panchayat power. It underlines the need of confronting underlying sociocultural beliefs and enabling underprivileged people—women in particular—to stand up for their rights and oppose repressive policies. This study emphasises how urgently multidimensional approaches—including legislative changes, societal mobilisation, and educational programmes meant to question regressive norms and undermine caste-based oppressive systems—are needed to end honour murders in India. It urges coordinated measures to hold offenders and their supporters responsible and to promote gender equality and human dignity.