scholarly journals Are women the more empathetic gender? The effects of gender role expectations

Author(s):  
Charlotte S. Löffler ◽  
Tobias Greitemeyer

AbstractThe present research aimed to extend the state of knowledge regarding the relationship between self-perceived empathy and traditional gender roles and placed particular focus on the contextual conditions under which gender differences in empathy are present, can be created, or eliminated. Across two studies, women rated themselves higher in empathy than men in all experimental conditions, whereas an objective female superiority in emotion recognition was only evident in one condition. In Study 1 (n = 736), using the term ‘social-analytic capacity’ instead of ‘empathic capacity’ increased gender differences in self-reported empathy and resulted in women performing better in the Eyes-test than men. In a neutral task (verbal intelligence), gender differences (in this case, a male superiority), were only found when participants believed that this task had an association with empathy. In Study 2 (n = 701), gender differences in self-reported empathic capacity, but not in performance in emotion recognition, increased when motivation for empathy was raised. Further, gender-role orientation mediated the association between gender and self-reported empathic capacity, whereas it did not account for the association between gender and emotion recognition. Overall, the present studies provide strong support for the idea that empathy is influenced by contextual factors and can be systematically biased by gender roles and stereotypical beliefs.

Author(s):  
Brian J. Willoughby ◽  
Spencer L. James

This chapter provides an overview of emerging adults’ views on gender and gender roles. The authors describe their findings regarding who emerging adults believe benefits more from marriage, men or women. Little consensus seemed to exist regarding how emerging adults viewed the connection between gender and marriage; the authors propose that this is a reflection of our current culture, which continues to move toward gender neutrality and the dismissal of gender differences. The authors also explore how emerging adults believe gender roles will play out in their own marriages. A specific paradox whereby emerging adults aspire to an egalitarian role balance yet tend to end up in traditional gender roles is discussed.


Author(s):  
Sarah K. Murnen ◽  
Linda Smolak

In American culture, men experience greater body appreciation and less body dissatisfaction than women. To help explain these findings, this chapter examines theory and data concerning the relationship between gender role expectations and women’s and men’s embodiment. Data show that traditional feminine roles promote a focus on appearance and self-objectification that is negatively associated with body empowerment, while traditional masculine roles promote more functional body experiences associated with greater embodiment. This chapter discusses how gender roles can be changed to promote positive embodiment. According to social role theory, traditional gender roles result from, and help support, a gender unequal society. Feminism has led to some change in gender roles, but more change is needed, such as encouragement of caretaking among boys and men and instrumental traits and roles for girls and women. There is also the need to render people less vulnerable to body image pressures, supporting body empowerment during development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alper Çuhadaroğlu

In this study, the relationships between university students and their perceptions of gender roles and epistemological beliefs were investigated. Gender roles are a phenomenon that are determined by culture, and begin to emerge at an early age, which may include some stereotypical behaviors along with a number of attitudes, duties and obligations that the individual is expected to perform as a woman or a man. Epistemological belief is seen as an individual feature of how knowing and learning take place. In this study, a mixed method was used. The quantitative study group consists of 517 students from both universities, while the qualitative study group consists of 85 people. Gender Role Attitudes Scale and Epistemological Beliefs Scale were used to collect quantitative data. In order to obtain qualitative data, participants were given a form consisting of open-ended questions. According to the analyses, it was determined that there was a significant relationship between the participants' epistemological beliefs and gender roles attitudes and, epistemological beliefs were a significant predictor of gender roles attitudes. The results obtained are discussed in line with the existing literature. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0798/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>


1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikki Krane

This study is an examination of homonegativism in sport as described by lesbian collegiate athletes. These athletes (N = 12) participated in semi-structured interviews about their athletic experiences. Analysis of the homonegtive experiences of these athletes revealed three mechanisms inherent in homonegativism in sport. These were (a) discomfort with females who do not conform with the traditional feminine gender-role, (b) application of the lesbian label, and (c) distancing from the lesbian label. Female athletes perceived to act in a manner contrary to traditional gender-roles are labeled as lesbians. Through this labeling society reinforces traditional gender-roles and, ultimately, protects male dominance in sport. Many of the labels heard by the athletes reflected stereotypical beliefs about lesbians. The athletes described many situations where coaches and administrators attempted to promote or preserve a feminine image within their athletic teams and programs. The disempowering aspects of homonegativism also were revealed as lesbian athletes felt powerless to challenge homonegativism in sport.


2020 ◽  
pp. 12-45
Author(s):  
Cat M. Ariail

This chapter chronicles the international athletic experiences of Alice Coachman, the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, examining how her successes, especially at the 1948 Olympic Games, challenged the ideal image of American athleticism and, in turn, American identity. The relative invisibility of Coachman in the white sporting press indicates that she raised uncomfortable questions about race, gender, and American belonging. The interracial homecoming held in her hometown of Albany, Georgia, and a visit to Oval Office further expose how Coachman’s achievement required white America to rethink the relationship between race, gender, and American identity. While black sport culture lauded Coachman, they presented her as figure of black womanhood, reinforcing the centrality of traditional gender roles to ideal Americanness.


1993 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
DIANE N. LYE ◽  
TIMOTHY J. BIBLARZ

This study examines the relationship between the gender role and family attitudes of husbands and wives and five indicators of marital satisfaction. The authors argue that men and women who espouse nontraditional attitudes are likely to be less satisfied than their more traditional counterparts. An empirical analysis is presented using data from husbands and wives interviewed in the 1987-88 National Survey of Families and Households. Husbands and wives who hold nontraditional attitudes toward family life are less satisfied with their marriages, as are men and women whose attitudes diverge from their spouse's attitudes. The effects of attitudes did not vary according to the actual gender roles observed by the couple.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. S56
Author(s):  
B. Kuhn ◽  
E. Bartley ◽  
S. Palit ◽  
S. Martin ◽  
K. Kerr ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serap Kavas

It is increasingly acknowledged that gender (in-) equality is one of the most significant factors underlying change in fertility behavior. Researchers have extensively studied the link between gender (in-) equality and fertility decision-making in various settings. However, most of these studies have focused on industrialized countries in North America, Europe, and East Asia, while very few examine this relationship in a non-western, developing country context. Employing individual-level survey data, this paper examines the relationship between parents’ gender role attitudes and their fertility intentions for an additional child in urban Turkey, surveyed in 2014. The findings of this study show that parents’ attitudes toward gender roles were not an important predictor of fertility decision-making in Turkey. This study suggests that the lack of significant findings supporting the expected association may be related to the measurement of gender role attitudes, suggesting a need to construct a measure that addresses culture-specific aspects of gender roles. This study contributes to the literature by providing a new data point, Turkey, and bringing a comparative perspective to the existing research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-24
Author(s):  
Asmita Bista

Bisheshwar Prasad Koirala’s novel Tinghumti is always tempting for the reader as it still reflects the relevant picture of Nepali society. In this novel the characters defy as well as define the gender roles. Influenced with revolutionary thought they defy the prescribed gender roles; but chained in age old thought they, time and again, define the traditional gender role. This article aims to identify the reasons that drive these characters to defy and define the traditional gender roles. For that Judith Butler’s and Connell’s idea of gender theory has been used. The significance of this study is to contribute a different perspective for the reader to see the novel Tinghumti showing that traditional gender roles are meddled and confirmed in it. The study concludes that in the novel, the characters defy as well as define the socially prescribed gender role because gender is socio-political construction that achieves legitimacy and naturality via perpetual observation and repetition.


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