Gender Role Socialization Research Articles

When women speak up: investigating how gender influences the effect of workplace incivility on performance via voice behaviour

ABSTRACT Workplace incivility can cause adverse impacts on employees’ voices and performance in public service organisations. Drawing on social exchange and gender role theory, this study examined a moderated mediation model of the indirect effect of workplace incivility on performance via voice behaviour in which employees’ gender moderated the relationship. This study employed a quantitative method with a multi-wave data collection technique. Participants were recruited from various public service organisations in Indonesia. After removing participants who did not fully participate and failed the attention check item, 365 responses were retained for the data analysis. Data were analysed using Hayes’ moderated mediation regression technique with bootstrapping resampling of 5000. Results suggested that workplace incivility directly reduced employee performance. However, the indirect effect was not observed, as workplace incivility did not influence voice behaviour. The mediation model was moderated by gender in which female employees showed a positive impact of workplace incivility on performance via voice behaviour. Female employees were encouraged to speak up when they found incivility. This study can enrich scholars’ and practitioners’ understanding of workplace incivility across different contexts and cultures. Public service organisations can address workplace incivility by improving inclusive policies and procedures for all employees regardless of gender.

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

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

Digitalization and Education Equity in Remote Areas: Challenges and Strategic Solutions

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitalization in the education sector, highlighting disparities in technology access, particularly in remote areas like Bone Regency, South Sulawesi. This study explores the impact of digitalization on equitable access to education in this region and identifies challenges and potential solutions to bridge the digital divide. The study used ethnographic methods to gather insights from selected students, teachers, academics, and parents. Findings reveal that limited digital infrastructure, lack of technology skills, and economic disparities are major barriers to digital education in Bone Regency. Social norms and gender roles further affect students' ability to use technology effectively, particularly for female students. Initiatives such as enhancing teacher training in digital skills, partnering with the private sector for infrastructure support, and implementing flexible hybrid learning models are identified as possible solutions. This study contributes to ongoing discussions about digital equity in education, providing actionable recommendations for policymakers to expand inclusive digital education access in remote areas.

The influence of social media portrayal on the self-presentation of women in the digital era

Social media serves as a powerful force in shaping societal norms and values, often presenting idealized and unrealistic images of womanhood. This study explores how social media influences women's gender roles and identities, particularly its impact on their aspirations and self-esteem, while also providing opportunities for self-expression and empowerment. Using a phenomenological approach, the research involved focus group discussions with young women aged 18–25 living in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. The findings reveal that women respond differently to social media content based on their values, beliefs, and backgrounds. The results highlight social media's dual impact: it can both reinforce traditional gender norms and serve as a tool for self-empowerment. This complexity demonstrates the need to recognize individual differences in social media engagement and their effects on shaping gender identities. By exploring these diverse interactions, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted relationship between social media and gender role formation.

ENTRE PRESSIONS ECONOMIQUES ET ATTENTES SOCIALES : ANALYSE DES CAUSES DU DIVORCE A BAMAKO

In the study titled "Between Economic Pressures and Social Expectations: Analyzing the Causes of Divorce in Bamako," we adopted a mixed-methodology approach, using two primary instruments for data collection: questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. A descriptive questionnaire composed of two Likert-scale items was developed to collect perceived causes of divorce, and an interview guide with five items was addressed to five purposefully selected individuals. This approach allowed us to gather both broad and deeply nuanced perspectives on economic factors, communication challenges, discrepancies between marital expectations and realities, as well as the impact of social norms and gender roles. The results reveal that, while economic difficulties and communication problems are perceived as the main catalysts for divorce, sociocultural influences and unrealistic expectations also exacerbate marital tensions. Based on these findings, the article offers recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and the general community, suggesting targeted interventions to improve household financial stability, enhance couples' communication skills, and encourage critical reflection on oppressive social norms. In conclusion, the study highlights the need for a multidimensional approach to address the complexities of divorce in Bamako, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual, relational, and societal factors.

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

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

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

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

Virtual facades: Exploring the relationship between self-presentation on Facebook and social anxiety among Egyptian Generation Z users

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

CULTURAL-SOCIAL CONFLICTS IN MODERN EDUCATION: HOW RURAL INDIAN STUDENTS GRAPPLE WITH IDENTITY IN GLOBAL SCHOOLS

Urbanization is transforming India's socio-cultural landscape, with projections indicating that half of the population will be urbanized by 2040. This shift significantly impacts the educational sector, especially in newly urbanized or “rurban” areas where “Global” or “International” schools have emerged in considerable numbers. Marketed as progressive and modern, these schools offer advanced infrastructure and an English-speaking environment, appealing to parents in rural India as a means of providing better opportunities for their children. However, the rapid rise of these institutions creates a unique set of challenges for rural students, who must navigate between the traditional cultural settings of their homes and the cosmopolitan culture promoted in these schools. This study investigates the identity crises faced by these students, examining how they attempt to reconcile the contradictions between their home environments and school culture, particularly concerning social issues, family dynamics, language, gender roles, and traditional values. Through interviews, observations, and focus group discussions with students, parents, and teachers, this study reveals the significant conflicts that these children encounter. Framing the discussion within the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for holistic and inclusive education, this research underscores the need for educational policies that effectively bridge the gap between traditional rural values and the demands of modern schooling.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Symbolic of Female Body in the Anti-Japanese War Painting in China

From 1931 to 1945, Japan launched a 14-year war of aggression against China and it had a profound impact on China’s politics, economy, and culture. One of the reactions or responses from Chinese society to this tragic event is through art, especially in painting. However, most of the paintings in the Anti-Japanese War are dominated by male subjects and females only appear as a supporting role in the composition. The objectives of this study are to describe the female body through Chinese Anti-Japanese War paintings from the 1970’s and to interpret the meaning of signs and symbols through a conceptual framework that has been built from relevant concepts. This study adopts a qualitative research strategy that makes use of observation and documents as its main research methods. This study shows that these visual artworks reflected the social transformation and changing gender roles in culture at that time. The female body in these visual works conveys multiple meanings such as bravery, tenacity, and sacrifice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two Rings and a Doctorate: Gender and Marital Status in the Pursuit of Ph.D. Success in Moroccan Universities

This study provides a qualitative examination of the intersected impact of gender and marital status on Ph.D. success for both men and women in Morocco. Utilizing semi-structured interviews with 20 married doctoral students from both genders across three Moroccan universities, the research revealed a significant divergence in the lived experiences and Ph.D. success indicators of married men and women. Men were generally encouraged by gender expectations, which often served as a motivator in their academic journey, whereas women faced hurdles due to these expectations, as their academic roles often collided with traditional roles as wives and mothers. Both genders, however, reported struggles in maintaining work-life balance, with women experiencing more challenges due to social expectations and conventional gender roles. This research emphasized the importance of a strong support system and a conducive home environment for academic success. Cultural context significantly influenced the participants’ academic journey, stressing the need for societal change and redefinition of traditional gender roles. The findings suggest the need for institutional and societal efforts to establish a supportive infrastructure for all Ph.D. students, irrespective of their marital status or gender.