Women's Gender Identity Research Articles

Gender Identity of Women in Ukraine as a Result of Cultural Texts Inter-pretation

The paper focuses on the problem of constructing gender models of a Ukrainian woman’s identity in a social-cultural context. Gender identity is analyzed as a comprehension of the individual «Self», connected with cultural determination ofmasculinity and femininity. The role of culture is being disclosed as a text within formation of social-cultural experience of a person, creation of new gender senses, concepts. Comprehending cultural texts, a personality develops as a discursive subject. The paper gives coverage to different cultural texts, the analysis of which let us identify concepts of Ukrainians’ gender culture, which determine construction of models of women’s gender identity. Crucial concepts of gender relations, gender identity of a woman in Ukraine are analyzed in the light of different communities which inhabited its territory over various periods of time on the basis of academic studies, papers devoted to the current problem.

She Who Shall Not Be Named: The Women That Women's Organizations Do (and Do Not) Represent in the Rulemaking Process

AbstractThough the concept of intersectionality has been in circulation for nearly 30 years and women's organizations have long been criticized for failing to prioritize the concerns of women of color, poor women, and LGBTQ women, more research is needed to determine precisely why women's organizations do and do not discuss those intersectional identities during policy debates. This study analyzes 1,021 comments that women's organizations submitted to rulemakers to test a series of hypotheses about how women's organizations’ references to women's intersectional identities increase or decrease depending on the organization's primary constituency and ideology, the proposed rule's target population, and other features of the policy-making context. Using automated text analysis and a series of models, it shows that women's organizations do discuss intersectionally marginalized women in their comments. However, not all subgroups of women are equally represented during the process. Women's organizations focus on women's sexual orientations and gender identities more than their races, ethnicities, nationalities, or socioeconomic statuses. Intersectionally marginalized women also tend to receive the most attention when commenters are from organizations that are explicitly focused on representing intersectionally marginalized women and when bureaucrats include references to intersectionally marginalized women in their proposed rules.

"That's Kind of One of Our Jobs": Sexual Activity as a Form of Care Work Among Women with Sexual Difficulties.

Willing engagement in unwanted or undesired sexual activity, often associated with fulfilling a partner's needs or sustaining intimate relationships, is common. Acquiescence with undesired sexual activity can be conceptualized as sexual care work, that is, domestic "labor" that women undertake with the goal of caring for their partners' well-being. Drawing on interviews with 53 women with dyspareunia (pain experienced during intercourse) and low desire, the aim of this study was to examine how women with sexual difficulties engage in sexual care work, the implications of the inability to perform such work for gender identity, and the ways in which sexual care work may blur the lines between women's perceptions of coercion and consent. The women in this study engaged in sexual activity for a number of reasons, including the pursuit of intimacy, to care for their partner, and to fulfill their perceived sexual obligations. Sexual compliance was conceptualized as a form of work, similar to other forms of unpaid care work such as housework or childcare, which negatively affected women's gender identities when it could not be performed. For many women, sex was simultaneously wanted and unwanted, contributing to women's ambivalence regarding the meaning of consent. Further exploration of these issues may lead to a better understanding of how gender is achieved through normative sexuality.

College Women's Gender Identity and Their Drinking Choices

Because college women's drinking rates now rival men's rates, the authors interviewed college women to ascertain how gender identity affected their drinking choices. Interpretative phenomenological analysis indicated that high‐risk drinkers viewed their gender identity differently than did low‐risk drinkers. Counseling implications are discussed.

The Transformation of Gender Identity for Women and Men in a University Classroom

This research paper examines the way in which a university classroom focuses upon patriarchy and sexism and the responses to these issues. The 110 students in this upper division class were encouraged to examine their beliefs and values in an environment where they could be challenged by readings, other students’ reactions and web posts. These web posts were anonymous so that students could feel safe and were classified in a six-stage identity scheme developed by Hoffman (1985). Their six-stage categories were modified by the authors of this paper and were used to describe the transformation of students’ identities from sexist to anti-sexist.

Gender difference in experiences with and adjustments to infertility: the case of infertility patients at family guidance association of Ethiopia

While the experiences of infertile women to infertility have been well studied in African countries, the gendered differences in experiences with infertility and how men and women respond to infertility in societies with strong social expectations of becoming a parent is understudied. This article discusses how women’s and men’s experiences with infertility is molded by the prevailing structure of gendered behaviours, roles and expectations and how they process, make sense of, and negotiate their identities in relation to ‘failing’ upon a highly expected dimension of life, namely parenthood. To address this dearth, phenomenological research design and a combination of methods, such as in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, review of secondary literature, and case histories, were used. The study was conducted at Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia model clinic in Addis Ababa. The study reveals that infertility challenges self-perceived gender identity of women and men. However, at the social level, women’s gender identity is more strongly challenged than men’s. Further, there are tremendous and gendered variations in the types of stigma and psychological distresses experienced and coping mechanisms adopted. In general, women carry the greatest burden of infertility within the existing gender structure, and social sufferings resulting from infertility have not produced new alternatives to masculine and feminine identities.Keywords: Infertility, gender, social suffering, copping strategy

‘I am not a man’: Trans-specific barriers and facilitators to PrEP acceptability among transgender women

ABSTRACTThe frequent conflation of transgender (‘trans’) women with ‘men who have sex with men (MSM)’ in HIV prevention obscures trans women's unique gender identities, social and behavioural vulnerabilities, and their disproportionately high rates of HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an efficacious biomedical HIV prevention approach. However, trans women are underrepresented in PrEP research, and are often aggregated with MSM without consideration for their unique positions within sociocultural contexts. This study examined PrEP acceptability among trans women via three focus groups and nine individual interviews (total N = 30) in San Francisco. While knowledge of PrEP was low, interest was relatively high once participants were informed. Due to past negative healthcare experiences, ability to obtain PrEP from a trans-competent provider was cited as essential to PrEP uptake and adherence. Participants noted that PrEP could address situations in which trans women experience reduced power to negotiate safer sex, including sex work. Trans-specific barriers included lack of trans-inclusive marketing of PrEP, prioritisation of hormone use, and medical mistrust due to transphobia. Findings underscore the importance of disaggregating trans women from MSM in HIV prevention strategies to mitigate disparate risk among this highly vulnerable population.

Menstruation During a Lifespan: A Qualitative Study of Women's Experiences

Menstruation is a natural phenomenon for women during their reproductive years. Our aim was to describe women's experiences of menstruation across the lifespan. Qualitative interviews with a narrative approach were conducted with 12 women between 18 and 48 years of age in Sweden. Using thematic analysis, we found menstruation to be a complex phenomenon that binds women together. It is perceived as an intimate and private matter, which makes women want to conceal the occurrence of menstrual bleeding. Over time, menstruation becomes a natural part of women's lives and gender identity. Health professionals play a central role supporting women to deal with menstruation.

Accepted, desired and ashamed: Images of female alcohol use and drinking-related gender orders described by Finnish women of different ages

Aims The article deals with how Finnish women of different ages perceive acceptable and desirable images of female alcohol use as well as gender orders associated with drinking. A focus on women and differences between women is motivated by the fact that women's increased drinking is one of the most significant changes in the Finnish alcohol landscape in recent history. Data and Design The data consists of group interviews with women aged 50–60, 35–40 and 25. The images of female alcohol use adopted in these groups are analysed by studying what representations of women's alcohol use and what drinking-related gender identities women in different age brackets identify themselves with as they interpret the stimulus images of drinking situations shown in interviews. Results The analysis suggests that women in different age groups have different ideas of what kind of images of female alcohol use are considered suitable, acceptable and desirable. The different generations also express and repeat different drinking-related norms and attitudes. Conclusions Overall, the analysis shows that women have achieved greater autonomy in their alcohol use and that the construction of women's gender identity in relation to drinking has expanded beyond traditional feminine values and become more varied and layered. Younger generations thus have access to a wider range of feminine imageries, norms and ways of being women.

Childhood Trauma, Adult Sexual Assault, and Adult Gender Expression among Lesbian and Bisexual Women

Several studies have demonstrated that lesbian and bisexual women are more likely than heterosexual women to report childhood abuse and adult sexual assault. It is unknown, however, which sexual minority women are most likely to experience such abuse. We recruited adult sexual minority women living in the US through electronic fliers sent to listservs and website groups inviting them to complete an online survey (N=1,243). We examined differences in both childhood abuse and adult sexual assault by women's current gender identity (i.e., butch, femme, androgynous, or other) and a continuous measure of gender expression (from butch/masculine to femme/feminine), adjusting for sexual orientation identity, age, education, and income. Results indicated that a more butch/masculine current self-assessment of gender expression, but not gender identity, was associated with more overall reported childhood trauma. Although one aspect of gender expression, a more butch/masculine gender role, was associated with adult sexual assault, feminine appearance and a femme gender identity also significantly predicted adult sexual assault. These findings highlight the significance of gender identity and expression in identifying women at greater risk for various abuse experiences.

Sexual Minority Women's Gender Identity and Expression: Challenges and Supports

Sexual minority women were divided into four groups to study their gender identities (butch and femme), and gender expression (traditionally gendered and non-traditionally gendered women who do not identify as butch or femme). Experiences of heterosexist events (discrimination, harassment, threats of violence, victimization, negative emotions associated with these events), mental health (self esteem, stress, depression), and supports for a sexual minority identity (social support, outness, internalized homophobia) were examined across these groups. Findings suggested that butch-identified women experienced more heterosexist events than femme women or women with non-traditional gender expressions. There were no differences in mental health variables.

Christian Missionaries and Their Impact on Socio – Cultural Development - Undivided Koraput District a Study

Before the coming of Christian Missionaries the undivided Koraput District of South Odisha was passing through a 'Dark Age'. Hilly and undeveloped, it was inaccessible and so isolated from the mainstream for century together. The region could not see the light of the modern world and remained backward. The inhabitants were up to their neck in evil practices like superstition, female infanticide, child marriage, Mariah sacrifice, seclusion of women, bethi and goti system, rigidity of caste system and untouchability. The lower caste people were indigent, ignorant, illiterate, and superstitious and considered untouchable, outcaste and uncivilized. Above all, it was a malaria prone district and there was no health care facility. So, the people took resort to supernatural power. They were worshipping various elements of nature, ancestors and many Gods and Goddesses. In these critical circumstances, the Christian Missionaries came on 15 th May, 1882 A.D. and heralded a new epoch in socio- cultural development of this district. They introduced and implemented handful of welfare schemes such as eradication of illiteracy, economic upliftment, and social mobilization, consciousness of health and hygiene and gender identity of women. Thereafter, a tremendous impact of missionaries' activities was observed on the people of this area. th Century witnessed a great intellectual upheaval all over Orissa. The rational mind interrogated the inner purport of social customs and religious forms. In course of time, a series of socio-religious movements with reformative sinew began to renovate the society and rationalized religion. These movements raised its voice against superstitions, blind beliefs and irrational practices. In this connection, the missionaries played a vital role. They were inspired with civilizing mission to eradicate the socio-cultural evils prevailed in the undivided Koraput district. It was the home land of the aboriginals. These people were considered outcaste and untouchable. Most of them were poor and leading miserable and deplorable life. Hence, the social status and suffering of the lower caste people were indescribable. The undivided Koraput district was full of mountainous regions and hilly tracts. Due to inaccessibility, it was isolated from outside world for century together and remained backward and undeveloped. Thats why, people of this area could not see the light of modern world and were rolling on a number of superstitious beliefs. There were various problems besetting this district such as child marriage, infanticide, seclusion of women, bethi and goti system, mariah sacrifice, superstition and illiteracy. There was no female education and gender identify in this area. Rigidity of caste system and untouchability made social life hellish. The high caste people used to oppress and suppress the lower caste people. The sahukars, moneylenders, zamindars, royal officers and police personnel had vampire in them. Being a malaria prone district health hazard was a regular feature (1) and people solely depended upon sorcery, magic spells of local physicians like Dissaris, Bejjus, Siras, Guniyas and Gurumains (2) and were dying without proper medical treatment. Above all, the British hegemony aggravated the untold suffering and misery of the people. Therefore, prior to the advent of the missionaries, this district was passing through Dark Age In this critical circumstance, the missionaries came to Koraput district on 15 th May, 1882 A.D (3) with two noble objectives i.e. Arise and Shine and raised a ray of hope for the despondent, hopeless, helpless, downtrodden and desolate people and heralded a new epoch in the history of Koraput district. Their noble objectives were directed to changing the society. The missionaries had to struggled for existence in the initial stage and suffered a lot due to the bureaucratic hassles, stunt opposition and threatening both from the police personnel and the high caste people (4) but they never lost their spirits rather remained determined to continue the evangelical activities in this district in the face of all that came their way. They ultimately succeeded in carrying out their work in this hilly district because of their dedication, sacrifice, determination and benevolent motive. Thereafter, the history of Koraput witnessed a tremendous transformation in the socio, economic, educational, health and religious spheres. There was in fact historic leap from tradition to modernity, darkness to light, superstition to reason, illiteracy to literacy, ignorance to knowledge, enmity to fraternity, unhealthiness to

‘Trapped between two worlds’ – Muslim Palestinian women from Israel in Jordanian universities: new identity and the price it demands

Interviews were held with 12 Muslim Palestinian women from Israel, presently studying in Jordan (6) or who had completed their higher education in Jordan (6). They explained the factors that pushed or pulled them to study in Jordan, the independence that they experienced there, the empowerment they achieved, and the price they paid when they returned to Arab society in Israel. The Arab cultural space in Jordan is defined as both foreign and close, due to its geographical and cultural proximity, and yet its distance from home and patriarchal supervision. The research findings indicate that this situation influences the formation of these women's gender identity and their empowerment but also creates much pain and conflict. The Palestinian women's new identity, formed during their studies, assists them in their efforts to reintegrate and establish their status when they return from their academic studies abroad to their society of origin, Muslim Arab society in Israel.

Gender Identity Salience and Perceived Vulnerability to Breast Cancer

Breast cancer communications that make women's gender identity salient can trigger defense mechanisms and thereby interfere with key objectives of breast cancer campaigns. In a series of experiments, the authors demonstrate that increased gender identity salience lowered women's perceived vulnerability to breast cancer (Experiments 1a, 3a, and 3b), reduced their donations to ovarian cancer research (Experiment 1b), made breast cancer advertisements more difficult to process (Experiment 2a), and decreased ad memory (Experiment 2b). These results are contrary to the predictions of several prominent theoretical perspectives and a convenience sample of practitioners. The reduction in perceived vulnerability to breast cancer following gender identity primes can be eliminated by self-affirmation (Experiment 3a) and fear voicing (Experiment 3b), corroborating the hypothesis that these effects are driven by unconscious defense mechanisms.

Sense of Gender Identity in Women Practicing Football with Consideration of the Formation

Sense of Gender Identity in Women Practicing Football with Consideration of the Formation Introduction. Identification of gender is one of the most important dimensions of building a sense of self-identity; it is also one of the basic criteria for identifying individuals by society. The aim of this study was to determine the types of psychological gender football female players (taking into account the formation), i.e. the sport deemed "masculine". Material and methods. The research group was composed of the female players of the Polish national football team, seniors (n = 26), youth team under the age of 19 (n = 21) and the Polish extra league club athletes (n = 16). The tool research was the "Inventory to assess psychological gender (IPP)" by Kuczyńska. Results. Nearly 70% female football players were included in the androgynous type, while 20% were the persons representing the so-called specified psychological type. The most important feature identifying cultural gender patterns, selected by the female players was "tolerant" - feature of the cultural stereotype known to be neutral, as well as the characteristics attributed to both women and men: "friendly" and "nice". Conclusion. The studies allow for determining the dominant type of psychological gender of female players as androgynous, which is highly expressed combined male and female characteristics.

The Cuban Woman's Revolutionary Experience: Patriarchal Culture and the State's Gender Ideology, 1950–1976

Soon after the triumph of the 1959 Cuban Revolution, the government led multiple efforts to reconstruct Cuban society. The state's articulation and implementation of new gender politics was central to the massive mobilization of Cubans. During the first twenty-five years of the revolution, politics were constructed through and built upon a familiar and accepted gendered framework in which men held social power. In this process, in which socially reconstructed sexual differences and roles came to serve the needs of the new political agenda, new ideas about womanhood were produced. This article contends that the revolutionary state framed its expectations of Cubans using a familiar gendered language that made possible the popular acceptance of the reconfiguration of traditional gender roles. In order to shed light on the evolution of Cuban women's gender identities under a socialist government, it contrasts Cuban premises of womanhood during the 1950s with postrevolutionary reconfigurations of, sometimes contradictory, notions of womanhood.

Surfing the Skin: Images of Brides as the Sexualized Other in Cross-Border Marriages

This study is focused on gendered otherness in cross-border marriage and an examination of images of foreign brides in the context of cultural hybridity. It starts with the premise that skin is the place where cultural and racial identity is determined and mediates the formation of the gender identity of women. It examines and interprets images, faces and videos of bride candidates introduced by marriage agencies on their homepages, the text that introduces characteristics of the women and the marriage after-notes posted by men. Through the process of cross-border marriage, i.e., choosing a marriage partner and getting married, racial and cultural filters are noted as significant in the men's gaze of the images of desirable bridal candidates. This, in turn, revealed that women are objectified as cultural and sexualized others in the process.

‘Girl disease’: Women managers' reticence and ambivalence towards organizational advancement

AbstractThis paper addresses the theme of the special issue by drawing attention to ways in which gender scholarship can influence management and organizational studies in an analysis of the pathways to senior management. Based on an Australia-wide study of the experiences of women and men in senior management, it adds new empirical data to the body of knowledge on women's career advancement at senior levels of organizations. Many women interviewed expressed reticence and ambivalence about the advancement of their careers and their prospects for promotion, which was called ‘girl disease’ by one woman. Forms of ambivalence varied according to different age and sector cohorts; in particular difficulties were identified in reconciling family responsibilities with the demands of senior level appointments. We analyse expressions of ambivalence and reticence by exploring the tensions between women's gender identity and the organizational factors that shape their ‘managerial’ identity. We conclude by suggesting strategies to improve organizational practices in relation to women's career development and promotion.

‘Girl disease’: Women managers' reticence and ambivalence towards organizational advancement

AbstractThis paper addresses the theme of the special issue by drawing attention to ways in which gender scholarship can influence management and organizational studies in an analysis of the pathways to senior management. Based on an Australia-wide study of the experiences of women and men in senior management, it adds new empirical data to the body of knowledge on women's career advancement at senior levels of organizations. Many women interviewed expressed reticence and ambivalence about the advancement of their careers and their prospects for promotion, which was called ‘girl disease’ by one woman. Forms of ambivalence varied according to different age and sector cohorts; in particular difficulties were identified in reconciling family responsibilities with the demands of senior level appointments. We analyse expressions of ambivalence and reticence by exploring the tensions between women's gender identity and the organizational factors that shape their ‘managerial’ identity. We conclude by suggesting strategies to improve organizational practices in relation to women's career development and promotion.

Gender stereotypes and normative heterosexuality in matrimonial ads from globalizing India

Matrimonial ads serve as unobtrusive sites to observe the construction and perpetuation of normative heterosexuality through socio-cultural discourses. The current study focuses on gendered spousal expectations and sex role preferences in 1065 matrimonial ads from two popular newspapers in India. Gender differences in ad type, financial stability, physical attractiveness, fairness, slimness, personality traits, and occupational preferences were examined. Results found support for social exchange of men's financial stability for women's physical attractiveness, gender polarization in ideal spousal occupations, and the relative fluidity in gender identities of women as compared to men. A strong preference for fair and slim women was observed. Implications for sexual objectification of women and changing gender roles in globalizing India are discussed.