Gender stereotypes: persistence and challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gladys Merma-Molina ◽  
María Alejandra Ávalos-Ramos ◽  
María Ángeles Martínez Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Household Chores ◽  
Data Collection Strategy ◽  
And Gender

PurposeThe aims of this study are to identify and analyse prevalent gender roles and the persistence of sexist stereotypes among teachers in training in Spain, to determine the reasons for them and suggest solutions for eradicating sexist prejudices.Design/methodology/approachA gender role questionnaire was administered to 1260 workers from 54 different professions who were enrolled on a postgraduate training course to qualify as secondary education teachers. The instrument contained six variables for both quantitative and qualitative analysis: professional work, family (looking after children), feelings and emotions, household chores, body image and free time.FindingsHousehold chores, looking after children and gender roles linked to body image were those most indicated by both men and women. It is concluded that men participate little in bringing up children and household chores and that women continue to shoulder the responsibility. Both are concerned about their body image, but women have little self-acceptance of and satisfaction with their bodies and a stronger sense of being judged by how they look. Gender stereotypes persist, despite extensive legislation in Spain since 2004.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has limitations deriving from its choice of convenience sampling. Although it includes participants from six Spanish autonomous communities, the number from each region is not very high. Nevertheless, the sample is representative of almost all branches of knowledge (54 professions). Another limitation concerns the images used in the research instrument as a data collection strategy insofar, as they could not be obtained from a data bank specific to the research subject but instead had to be found in databases of general images. It can be inferred that a data collection strategy without any danger of bias would be to encourage each participant to design their own images, reflecting their perceptions and auto-perceptions of gender roles and stereotypes. The fact that there were no pre-existing studies using this type of research instrument in education sciences was a handicap for the investigation. Despite these methodological limitations, the results of the study may serve as a basis for implementing specific future actions originating from any area – but especially from the area of education – aimed at teaching people about equal roles in order to eliminate sexist sterotypes. This research was carried out as part of the Proyecto Diseño y Atención a las Oportunidades de Género en la Educación Superior (Project on Design and Gender Equality of Opportunities in Higher Education) funded by the Vicerrectorado de Cooperación al Desarrollo (Office for University Cooperation for Development) at the University of Alicante (Spain).Practical implicationsSpanish legislation has not been able to promote significant changes in the performance of traditional gender roles or to eliminate sexist stereotypes that perpetuate imbalances between men and women. The ideal and prevalent model of a Spanish woman is still that of a “self-sacrificing mother”, responsible for the household chores and childcare. She must combine this first job with a second profession, and, in addition, she must have a “desirable physical image”. The study puts forward various possible solutions for reducing and/or eradicating sexist attitudes with the participation of different social agents and in particular through education. The investigation could be of use when carrying out specific cross-sectional interventions on the subject of gender equality with students on postgraduate teacher training courses, for the purposes of encouraging the elimination of stereotypes and strengthening the capacity for critical judgement, positive self-concept and self-esteem.Originality/valueThe study may be useful for carrying out specific and transversal university training interventions in postgraduate teacher training on gender equality aimed at promoting the elimination of stereotypes, the strengthening of critical judgement capacity, positive self-concept and self-esteem.

scholarly journals Skuespillerfaget som lønarbejde og kønskonstruktion

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Sjørup ◽  
Charlotte Kirkegaard
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Working Mothers ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Bodily Experience ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Stereotypical Roles

The article is based on a survey concerning gender equality among artists in Denmark, conducted in 2007. It particularly focuses on the situation of actresses as modern, well-educated and gender equality conscious women, placed in a dilemma between their own desire to deconstruct and reconstruct images of gender in their work and the traditional, gender-stereotypical roles offered to them. They moreover are the victims of late working hours and low salaries, making it very difficult to maintain themselves financially and to live a life as independent working mothers. Ageing is also a very difficult bodily experience for the actresses, who will often be excluded and replaced by younger actresses. There is however a battle going on between the gender equality oriented actresses and the primarily male directors and instructors, in charge of allowing modernisation of gender roles in films and theatre. In sum, the article explores how gender is constructed culturally and how femininity might be reformulated to challenge heteronormative gender stereotypes.

scholarly journals Relaciones entre sexismo e ideología de género con autoconcepto y autoestima en personas con Lesión Medular

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Torregrosa-Ruiz ◽  
María-Ángeles Molpeceres-Pastor ◽  
Jose-Manuel Tomás-Miguel
Keyword(s):  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Spinal Injury ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
And Gender

The process of adapting to a physical disability is complex and multi-dimensional. It is influenced by many variables that affect adequate life adjustment and psychological wellbeing. This study addresses the specific effects of sexism and gender stereotypes on self-esteem and self-concept in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The research design is cross-sectional and correlational. The sample comprises 127 persons, including 95 men and 32 women, with a long-term spinal injury. The results of the MANOVAs do not demonstrate statistically significant differences based on sex for the following variables: self-esteem, self-concept, traditional sexism and neosexism. The relationships among variables suggest that negative relationships exist between neosexism and family and emotional self-concept and self-esteem among men with SCI, though not among women with SCI. The discussion emphasizes the important role of intervention programs that strengthen gender equality in order to reduce sexism.

Socio-Psychological Criteria of the Formation of Gender Stereotypes of Appearance

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 651-666
Author(s):  
Oksana M. Shyian ◽  
Larysa F. Foster ◽  
Tatiana M. Kuzmenko ◽  
Larysa V. Yeremenko ◽  
Nina P. Liesnichenko
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Aesthetic Perception ◽  
Social Evaluation ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Aesthetic

The article considers the socio-psychological criteria for the formation of gender stereotypes of appearance. The priority of the study is implementing a system of criteria for gender stereotypes of appearance, taking into account the system of socio-psychological factors and gender-oriented forms of prevention of overcoming sexism and discrimination on the grounds of personality attractiveness. It is substantiated that social evaluation through physical criteria creates several psychological problems because the "physical self" is an essential component of the "self-concept" and one of the criteria of self-esteem. It is proved that the properties of gender stereotypes coincide with the social ones. They are the bearer of emotional and evaluative characteristics, taking into account the group of values associated with the ambivalence of ideas about another. A methodical approach to the assessment of gender stereotypes of appearance and personality is proposed, which allows determining the criteria of human well-being, taking into account discrimination factors, intrapersonal parameters of affective-negative perception of one's appearance and self-concept, as well as the aesthetic perception of identity. An assessment of socio-psychological factors of gender stereotypes of appearance, which is based on the methodological provisions of psychoanalysis and humanism, cognitive paradigm, dispositional theory, cross-cultural approach, and some sociological studies, is carried out. As an experiment on empirical verification of the stereotypes of appearance, their gender differences, and socio-psychological factors, a set of methods of psychological diagnosis is used, which allow determining indicators of stereotypes of appearance, self-esteem, and attitude to beauty; socio-psychological criteria for the formation of gender stereotypes of appearance. A methodology for assessing the criteria for improving the attitude of respondents to their own appearance by determining the level of self-esteem, satisfaction with appearance, awareness of gender differences in appearance, and the desire to improve their own appearance in case of discrimination has been developed and implemented.

Family dynamics and gender perspective influencing copreneurship practices

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário Franco ◽  
Patricia Piceti
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Family Dynamics ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Business Management ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
And Gender

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the family dynamics factors and gender roles influencing the functioning of copreneurial business practices, to propose a conceptual framework based on these factors/roles. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, a qualitative approach was adopted, through the analysis of seven businesses created by copreneurial couples in an emerging economy – Brazil. Data were obtained from an open interview with each member of the selected couples who are in charge of firm management. Findings The empirical evidence obtained shows that the most important factors for successful copreneurial family businesses are professionalization, dividing the couple’s tasks and business management. Trust, communication, flexibility and common goals are other essential relational-based factors for the good functioning of this type of family business and stability in the personal relationship. Practical implications It is clear that professionalization and the separation of positions and functions are fundamental for a balance between business management and the couple’s marital life. When couples are in harmony and considering factors such as trust, communication and flexibility (relational-based factors), the firm’s life-cycle and business success become real and more effective. Originality/value From the family dynamics factors and gender roles, this study focused on one of the most important and integrated family firm relationships, copreneurial couples. As there is little research on the heterogeneity of family firms runs specifically by copreneurial couples, this study is particularly important and innovative in the context of a developing economy, such as Brazil. Based on empirical evidence, this study was proposed an integrative and holistic framework that shows the functioning of copreneurial businesses practices.

CULTURE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE SELF-ESTEEM OF COLLEGE STUDENTS: A FOUR-COUNTRY COMPARISON

1996 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Watkins ◽  
Adebowale Akande ◽  
Christopher Cheng ◽  
Murari Regmi
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
School Students ◽  
Country Comparison ◽  
Undergraduate University Students ◽  
Second Year ◽  
And Gender

The responses of 268 Hong Kong and 399 Nigerian first- or second-year social science undergraduate university students to the Personal and Academic Self-Concept Inventory (PASCI; Fleming & Whalen, 1990) were compared to previously reported findings with similar groups of American and Nepalese students. Country × Gender analyses indicated clear, statistically significant mnain and interaction effects which varied according to the area of self-esteem under investigation. Support was found for the tendency found in research with secondary school students for subjects from non-Western cultures to report higher academic but lower nonacademic self-esteem than their Western peers. However, the gender differences did not generalize across cultures.

Trajectories of Body Mass and Self-Concept in Black and White Girls

2012 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Mustillo ◽  
Kimber L. Hendrix ◽  
Markus H. Schafer
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Black Girls ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Black And White ◽  
White Girls ◽  
Body Image Discrepancy

As a stigmatizing condition, obesity may lead to the internalization of devalued labels and threats to self-concept. Modified labeling theory suggests that the effects of stigma may outlive direct manifestations of the discredited characteristic itself. This article considers whether obesity’s effects on self-concept linger when obese youth enter the normal body mass range. Using longitudinal data from the National Growth and Health Study on 2,206 black and white girls, we estimated a parallel-process growth mixture model of body mass linked to growth models of body image discrepancy and self-esteem. We found that discrepancy was higher and self-esteem lower in formerly obese girls compared to girls always in the normal range and comparable to chronically obese girls. Neither body image discrepancy nor self-esteem rebounded in white girls despite reduction in body mass, suggesting that the effects of stigma linger. Self-esteem, but not discrepancy, did rebound in black girls.

scholarly journals Gender Advantages and Gender Normality in the Views of Estonian Secondary School Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiiu Kuurme ◽  
Gertrud Kasemaa
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
School Life ◽  
School Students ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Central Condition

Abstract The aim of the study on Estonian secondary school students was to obtain an overview of the gender-related views and experiences of the everyday school life by students, and to analyse the school-related factors in the development of gender roles and gender-related expectations. We view gender equality as a central condition for social sustainability. In the article, we focus on the perceptions and interpretations of the so-called normal boy and girl and the advantages of both genders at school. We analyse the experiences and the views of young people regarding their gender positioning in everyday school life vis-à-vis their views on gender equality. The survey used in the study consisted of 50 questions, mainly open-ended. It was conducted in 10 basic and secondary schools in grades 7, 9, 10 and 12, with a total number of 649 respondents. The open answers were analysed by applying the method of thematic qualitative content analysis. The findings reveal that the perceived advantages of both genders at school and the behaviour considered as normal at school are strongly related to traditional gender stereotypes. At the same time, students claim that they are primarily people with equal opportunities. We conclude that the belief in the ideology of gender equality outweighs personal gender-related experiences.

scholarly journals Gambaran Konsep Diri Orang dengan HIV AIDS (ODHA) di RSUD Kabupaten Indramayu

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Bestina Nindy Virgiani
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Data Collection Tool ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Negative Role ◽  
Descriptive Approach

The self-concept of PLHIV is a decisive factor in interpersonal communication, because everyone behaves as much as possible according to his concept. The results of interviews with 10 PLWHA showed that the respondents still felt ashamed and felt that they were not useful for this life and felt excluded by their family and environment. The purpose of the study is to describe the concept of self (PLWHA). The design used in this study is quantitative with a descriptive approach. The sampling method uses accidental sampling as many as 188 respondents. The data collection tool uses a questionnaire. The results showed 113 respondents (60.1%) had a positive self-concept. 98 respondents (52.1%) had a positive body image, 116 respondents (61.7%) had an ideal positive self, 96 respondents (51.1%) had negative self-esteem, 167 respondents (83.5%) had an appearance negative role and 98 respondents (52.1%) had a positive self-identity. Conclusion in this study more than half the number of respondents have a positive self-concept, the respondent has accepted what happened to him and is ready to face life in the future and considers that life is a process of discovery. Keywords: PLWHA, self concept.

scholarly journals Students’ Gender-Related Choices and Achievement in Physics

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-95
Author(s):  
Ivana Jugović
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
School Students ◽  
School Grades ◽  
Traditional Gender Roles ◽  
Educational Domain

The goal of the research was to explore the role of motivation, gender roles and stereotypes in the explanation of students’ educational outcomes in a stereotypically male educational domain: physics. Eccles and colleagues’ expectancy-value model was used as a theoretical framework for the research. The research sample included 736 grammar school students from Zagreb, Croatia. The variables explored were expectancy of success, selfconcept of ability and subjective task values of physics, gender roles and stereotypes, and educational outcomes: academic achievement in physics, intention to choose physics at the high school leaving exam, and intention to choose a technical sciences university course. The results showed that girls had a lower self-concept of ability and lower expectancies of success in physics compared to boys, in spite of their  higher physics school grades. Hierarchical regression analyses showedthat self-concept of physics ability was the strongest predictor of physics school grades, whereas the utility value of physics was the key predictor of educational intentions for both genders. Expectancy of success was one of the key predictors of girls’ educational intentions, as well. Endorsement of a typically masculine gender role predicted girls’ and boys’ stronger intentions to choose a stereotypically male educational domain, whereas acceptance of the stereotype about the poorer talent of women in technical sciences occupations predicted girls’ lower educational outcomes related to physics. The practical implication of the research is the need to create gender-sensitive intervention programmes aimed at deconstructing the gender stereotypes and traditional gender roles that restrain students from choosing gender-non-stereotypical careers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document