Irrational Beliefs in Parenting Behaviors: Comparison of Turkish and Syrian Parents

This study aims to examine the irrational beliefs of Turkish and Syrian parents about parenting behaviors. The study was conducted with 22 mothers and eight fathers whose children are in kindergarten. Content analysis method was used for the analysis of the data acquired within the scope of the study. Four different cases were presented to the mothers and fathers in the study that they can encounter while raising their children. They were asked questions on their beliefs, emotions, and behaviors when faced with these circumstances. The first result obtained from the study findings is that the mothers made more irrational evaluations in all four scenarios than the fathers. Another finding from the study is the similarity of responses to all scenarios from Turkish and Syrian mothers. In summary, in line with the ranking of gender inequality in Turkey, fathers may have identified with a more masculine role and therefore tend not to see themselves as responsible for the care, upbringing and possible problems related to their children.

Men’s Psychotherapy Use, Male Role Norms, and Male-Typical Depression Symptoms: Examining 716 Men and Women Experiencing Psychological Distress

Men as compared to women are half as often affected by depressive and anxiety disorders and seek significantly less help for mental health issues than women. Adherence to traditional male role norms (AtTMRN) may hinder men from describing prototypical depression symptoms and from seeking psychotherapy. The current study compared whether AtTMRN, gender role identity, or the experience of prototypical or male-typical externalizing mental health symptoms were associated with psychotherapy use in men and women. In an anonymous online survey, 716 participants (37% men) reporting to currently experience psychological distress were examined. Information was obtained on psychotherapy use, depression and anxiety symptoms, gender role identity, and traditional male role norms. Although experiencing similar levels of depression, men compared to women showed a reduction in psychotherapy use by 29%. Masculine role identity was directly associated with reduced psychotherapy use in men (β = −0.41, p = 0.029), whereas AtTMRN was not (men: β = −0.04, p = 0.818; women: β = −0.25, p = 0.064). Higher externalizing depression symptomatology (β = −0.68, p = 0.005), but not prototypical depression symptomatology (β = −0.02, p = 0.499), was associated with reduced psychotherapy use in men but not women (p > 0.05). Interactions revealed that men, but not women, with high AtTMRN use psychotherapy only when exhibiting elevated symptom levels. The results corroborate previous reports showing reduced psychotherapy use in men as compared to women and identify elevated masculine role identity and male-typical externalizing depression symptomatology as direct factors associated with reduced psychotherapy use in psychologically distressed men. AtTMRN interacts with mental health symptoms to predict psychotherapy use, indicating that men with high AtTMRN only use psychotherapy when exhibiting high symptomatology.

“Let Us Be Giants”

Since 2003, a budding collection of English-language war comics dealing with military conflicts between India and Pakistan have become part of the comic book repertoire in both countries. This article focuses on two such comics, Siachen (2012) and Haider (2015). Drawing upon Raewyn Connell’s theorization of hegemonic masculinity, the article analyzes how the masculine role models depicted in Haider and Siachen vehemently deny the horrific emotional and physical costs of warfare. By examining hegemonic masculinity in the comics through masculinity nostalgia, and through close reading of the characters’ physical appearances and their shared military camaraderie, this article establishes how the comics endorse militancy and warfare for the purpose of entertainment and education, thereby serving as military propaganda, regardless of the creators’ personal intent.

“Let Us Be Giants”

Since 2003, a budding collection of English-language war comics dealing with military conflicts between India and Pakistan have become part of the comic book repertoire in both countries. This article focuses on two such comics, Siachen (2012) and Haider (2015). Drawing upon Raewyn Connell’s theorization of hegemonic masculinity, the article analyzes how the masculine role models depicted in Haider and Siachen vehemently deny the horrific emotional and physical costs of warfare. By examining hegemonic masculinity in the comics through masculinity nostalgia, and through close reading of the characters’ physical appearances and their shared military camaraderie, this article establishes how the comics endorse militancy and warfare for the purpose of entertainment and education, thereby serving as military propaganda, regardless of the creators’ personal intent.

The Relation Between Gender Identity and Well-Being

Does strong gender identity help or harm one’s well-being? Previous research suggests that acceptance of one’s social group and feelings of belongingness to the group are positively related to well-being, regardless of the group’s social status. However, there are inconsistent findings about the relation between well-being and how central the group is to one’s identity (centrality), especially among disadvantaged groups (e.g., women). In Studies 1 to 10 (total N = 5,955), we clarified these relations by controlling for shared variance between distinct gender identity aspects. Acceptance and belongingness were positively related to a range of well-being variables. Centrality was negatively related to well-being. These results were consistent across genders. Studies 11 to 14 (total N = 2,380) found that the negative relation between gender centrality and well-being might be mediated by perceived pressure to conform to the masculine role among men and perceived gender inequality among women. These results uncover a burden of strong gender identity.

Pentecostalism and women leadership: paradigm for gender re-construction in Nigeria

Gender construction in Nigeria is culturally constructed, gender processes are inculcated through the family, school, religion, peer group etc, as such women are relegated on their line of actions culturally. Thus, gender inequality has gained momentum. However, in the Pentecostal doctrines and dogma women position have change drastically giving credence to equal partnership with the men. Hence, this research aims at showing that Pentecostalism adapting itself as a Christian denomination that saturate itself as a possible gospel, involved in the rejuvenation of humanity have tendencies towards the appreciation and equivalent status women enjoys with the men counterpart, dominantly recognizing the important role women can play in the church and the society, as such priding the feminine role as a necessary complement to the masculine role. As such, women are allowed to own their parishes, women ministry, women pastorate, women counselors, women wing, and side by side leadership role with men etc. This serves as advocacy mechanism by Pentecostal ministry to reconstruct the cultural/traditional construct of gender in Nigeria.

The Relation Between Gender Identity and Well-Being

Does strong gender identity help or harm one’s well-being? Previous research suggests that acceptance of one’s social group and feelings of belongingness to the group are positively related to well-being, regardless of the group’s social status. However, there are inconsistent findings about the relation between well-being and how central the group is to one’s identity (centrality), especially among disadvantaged groups (e.g., women). In Studies 1-10 (total N = 5,955), we clarified these relations by controlling for shared variance between distinct gender identity aspects. Acceptance and belongingness were positively related to a range of well-being variables. Centrality was negatively related to well-being. These results were consistent across genders. Studies 11-14 (total N = 2,380) found that the negative relation between centrality and well-being might be mediated by perceived pressure to conform to the masculine-role among men, and perceived gender inequality among women. These results uncover a burden of strong gender identity.