It has been established that there is a deficit of research on the pastoral care of couples struggling with GRC (gender-role conflict). The focus of the study was to provide guidelines for the pastoral counsellor, so that he/she can apply effective marriage counselling to couples struggling with GRC. This is achieved by using Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology, namely: * The descriptive-empirical task – What is going on? * The interpretive task – Why is this going on? * The normative task – What ought to be going on? * The pragmatic task – How might we respond? The first task has been approached through empirical research with the aim to get an understanding of the participants’ experience regarding GRC in their marriages as well as their view of GRC. The empirical research was conducted by a qualitative research method using questionnaires (containing short and long questions) given to participants to answer. With the execution of this research, several aspects were identified that deserve further attention for the implementation of this study, namely: GRC result from a person’s involvement (or lack thereof) in a particular case, people’s reasons for the same GRC differ because of their experience of it, men and women experience GRC differently, people’s careers can be a determining factor of GRC, finance is the biggest GRC that people struggle with, people’s age and age differences may be linked to their experience of GRC and people are influenced by their parents. The second task has been approached through research especially in psychology, sociology and anthropology with the objective to further understand the issues that were raised in the previous chapter. Each of these issues are identified as a possible cause of GRC and discussed through various theories and research. The third task has been approached through exegesis of four pericopes with the aim to gain insight in connection with the Scripture’s perspective regarding the marriage relationship. A selection of 16 steps of Janse van Rensburg’s steps in conceiving a sermon is used to carry out the exegesis. The pericopes used for exegesis is the following: Genesis 1:26-31, 1 Corinthians 11:8-12, Galatians 3:26-29 and Ephesians 5:21-33. The fourth task has been approached by referring to certain counselling skills and guidelines with the aim to provide guidance in the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. All research done eventually leads to the point where certain strategies can be suggested for the pastoral counselling of couples struggling with GRC. The central theoretical argument of this study is partly met by acquiring an understanding of GRC, focusing on spiritual growth and ultimately making recommendations for effective pastoral counselling to couples, so that they can be guided to a better Christ-centered marriage. / MA (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Socializacijos metu kiekvienas vaikas formuojasi ir kaip visuomeninis žmogus, kaip savita asmenybė, kuri ateityje turės susiformavusias nuostatas bei įsitikinimus ir lyčių vaidmenų klausimais. Ikimokyklinio amžiaus tarpsnio svarbą tolimesniam žmogaus gyvenimui, savęs vertinimui akcentuoja sociologai, psichologai, pedagogai. Temos aktualumą įrodo ir tai, kad socializacijos vaikystėje metu atsiradus abejonėms dėl savo jėgų, sugebėjimų, atsiranda natūrali konfrontacija tarp būvimo „teisingu“ savo lyties atstovu ir būvimo savimi. Žvelgiant istorinėje perspektyvoje, liberalesnis požiūris į daugelį visuomeninio gyvenimo klausimų, keičia ir lyčių vaidmenų apibrėžtumą. Lietuvoje pastebima tradicinio požiūrio į lyčių vaidmenis bruožai, kur tradiciškai vis dar skirtinga lyčių padėtis tiek šeimyninių vaidmenų pasidalinimo, tiek darbo srityse. Jeigu stereotipinis požiūris į vyriškumą ir moteriškumą bei lyčių vaidmenis visuomenėje diegiamas nuo pat vaikystės, ilgainiui tampa sunku kovoti su įvairiomis socialinėmis problemomis: smurtas prieš moteris, seksualinis išnaudojimas, skurdo feminizacija, nelygybė darbo rinkoje, profesinio ir šeimos derinimo klausimų, vaikų auginimo sferoje. Šeimos vaidmuo tebelaikomas svarbiausiu socializacijos institutu, tačiau vis didesnę reikšmę įgauna ikimokyklinės įstaigos, žiniasklaidos vaidmuo. Nemažai atliktų tyrimų apie moters padėtį darbo rinkoje išryškina moters diskriminacijos apraiškas, kalbama apie ryškiausiai matomus lyčių vaidmenų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / In the process of socialization every child develops into a social person and individual who will have attitude towards the gender roles in the future. The importance of the preschool period for the person’s further life is emphasized by sociologists, psychologists and pedagogues. The relevance of this topic is proved by the idea that if the child has doubts about his abilities, the natural confrontation between being the “correct” representative of his gender and being him self will emerge. In the historical perspective, more liberal attitude towards many social topics changes the characterization of the gender roles. In Lithuania the traditional attitude towards the gender roles is noticed that is why the different gender positions in family and job levels are apparent. If the stereotypical opinion about femininity, masculinity and gender roles is inculcated from the childhood, eventually it becomes difficult to stem social problems: violence against women, sex abuse, poverty feminization, inequality in employment system, career and family questions. Family still plays the main role in the process of socialization, but at the same time preschool institution and mass media become more powerful. The number of researches concerning labour system show examples of woman discrimination, the most frequent gender role stereotypes in mass media, especially in the groups of teenagers and youth. But still we feel lack of thorough analysis of the prime socialization process and how the... [to full text]

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Normative Male Alexithymia (NMA; Levant 1992) and Gender Role Conflict (GRC; O’Neil, 2008) have emerged in the literature as empirically supported masculinity-based constructs that could be possible predictors of men’s psychological well-being. Moreover, several researchers examined the impact of masculinity in the contexts of men’s romantic relationships. Yet, there exists a paucity of research that investigates the intersection of the GRC, NMA, and men’s friendships, and psychological well-being of men. The purpose of this study was to examine the triadic relationship of GRC, NMA, and men’s friendships with other men; and the impact of this triadic relationship on men’s psychological well-being. The researcher collected survey data from 216 participants who identified as male. Data collection included responses to demographic questionnaires, Normative Male Alexithymia Scale (NMAS; Levant et al., 2006), Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS; O'Neil et al, 1986), Network of Relationships Questionnaire- Relationship Qualities Version (NRI-RQV; Buhrmester, 1992; Buhrmester & Furman, 2008), and the scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB; Ryff, 1989). Bivariate correlations revealed significant correlations among all four variables. NMAS scores yielded a small positive correlation (Cohen, 1988) with the NRI-RQV discordant scales scores (r = .202, p < .01), and a moderate negative correlation (Cohen, 1988) with the total full scale scores of PWB (r = -.427, p < .01). NRI-RQV discordant had a strong negative correlation (Cohen, 1988) with total scores of PWB (r = -.517, n = 216, p < .01). GRCS had a small negative correlation (Cohen, 1988) with the total scores of PWB full scales (r = -.166, n = 216, p < .05). The moderation analysis indicated that GRC significantly moderated the effect of NMA on men’s PWB scores (∆R² = .073, F (1,212) = 20.795, p < .001). High levels of NMA and friendship discords factored in as the best predictor of men’s PWB, and accounted for the 37% variation in overall PWB scores with an effect size of f² = .60. Clinical implications for mental health counselors are discussed based on the study’s results; limitations of the study and future directions are provided.

The purpose with this essay is to get a deeper insight into why there is a lack of male educators in Swedish preschools. I also want to know which role the male educators have in comparison to the female educators. This essay builds on four questions, which covers: The cause of the lack of males in Swedish preschools If there are any gender bound expectations on male educators in the Swedish preschools What the woman educators perceive about the roles of the male educators in the Swedish preschools How the male educator experience his own work in a workplace dominated by women The method I have used is a qualitative interview study in which I have interviewed four male educators and two woman educators from three different preschools. The result of this study shows that male educators gave different reasons to why there is a lack of male educators in Swedish childcare. According to the male educators the reason for this situation is that there is a worry to be seen as a feminine person, get singled out as a pedophile and that the childcare sector has low status. The study also shows that there is a great pressure on male educators in the Swedish preschool and stereotypical gender roles in the division of labor between men and women.

With increasing globalization, researchers are beginning to document the changing patterns of family life in collectivistic societies undergoing rapid economic development, such as India. With these changes, expectations of romantic relationships are also shifting as individuals re-calibrate their gender roles and attitudes towards romantic relationships to meet the challenges of modern society. Yet, not enough is known about the younger generation of collectivist youth and their evolving romantic habits and preferences. Therefore, the overarching goal of this thesis was to gain a more comprehensive understanding of cultural and familial influences in selecting a marital partner, maintaining a relationship, endorsing romantic beliefs, and anticipating future difficulties in marital life. In collectivist cultures, families tend to be characterized by respect for parental authority and strong, interdependent ties. Do these aspects of collectivism exert countervailing pressures on mate choices and relationship quality? In Study 1, I tested my predictions on a British sample by dividing participants into high or low collectivist groups based on their heritage cultural background, whereas in Study 2 I recruited participants from India and the United States. In both studies, I found that collectivism was associated with greater acceptance of parental influence over mate choice, thereby driving relationship commitment down, but collectivism was also associated with stronger family ties (referred to as family allocentrism), which drove commitment up (Study 2). Along similar lines, Study 1 found that collectivists’ greater acceptance of parental influence on mate choice contributed to their reduced relationship passion, whereas Study 2 found that their greater family allocentrism may have enhanced their passion. Study 2 also revealed that collectivists may have reported a smaller discrepancy between their own preferences for mates high in warmth and trustworthiness and their perception of their parents’ preferences for these qualities because of their stronger family allocentrism. However, their higher tolerance of parental V influence may have also contributed to a smaller discrepancy in their mate preferences versus their perceptions of their parents’ preferences for qualities signifying status and resources. Studies 3 and 4 moved away from familial dynamics and took a closer look at the cultural values of collectivism and gender role ideology. Previous studies have established that Indians tend to be greater in collectivism and gender role traditionalism than Americans. The purpose of Studies 3 and 4 was to examine whether these differences explained further cultural differences in romantic beliefs, traditional mate preferences, and anticipation of future difficulties in marital life. Results for both studies revealed that Indians reported greater collectivism than Americans and, in turn, held stronger romantic beliefs. Additionally, Indians’ greater collectivism, endorsement of more traditional gender roles and benevolent sexism in part predicted their preferences for a marital partner possessing traditional characteristics. Collectivism and gender role traditionalism accounted for Indians’ heightened concerns about encountering future difficulties in marital life in Study 3, while in Study 4 only collectivism explained these concerns. Overall, the results from these four studies shed light on the processes underlying cultural differences in relationship attitudes and preferences, and point to the need for greater cultural awareness and sensitivity to the diversity that exists in relationship functioning across societies.

Reality TV dating shows have increased in popularity during the last decade. The producers of this kind of reality TV tend to claim that their shows represent a true portrayal of social reality. Viewing the world from a social constructivist perspective, social reality and behavior are understood as social constructions. From that perspective the content of dating shows are viewed as constructions shaped by, for example, the producers. The purpose of this study is to examine how love ideals and gender roles are constructed within the Swedish dating shows Farmers wants a wife [Bonde söker fru] and Faith, hope and love [Tro, hopp och kärlek].Further this study aims to compare the constructions from each show. To investigate this, an adjusted version of Norman Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis has been used. There is not much previous sociological research done concerning reality TV in general, or dating TV more specifically. However, other disciplines have investigated these fields more. For example, several feminist studies have shown that dating TV shows enforces stereotypic gender roles, and a research study in psychology has shown that dating shows may affect attitudes toward sexual behavior among youths. The study shows that the constructions about love and gender roles are similar in both dating shows. In the shows constructed ideal of love, intimacy is one of the most important things. This love ideal could be understood in the context of Anthony Giddens theory of the pure relationship. The gender role constructions in the shows contain contradictions. In many aspects the constructed gender roles reflect upon the show’s love ideal, in sense of equality and the importance of mutual commitment to the dating process. But in some ways there are more traditional gender role expressions, for example women’s criticism towards passivity amongst men. / Tv-sända dejtingprogram har blivit en alltmer populär företeelse de senaste åren. Produktionerna bakom denna form av dokusåpor anser ofta att programmen speglar en sann social verklighet. Utifrån ett socialkonstruktivistiskt perspektiv förstås samhället och socialt beteende som sociala konstruktioner. Med ett sådant perspektiv ses skildringar i dejtingprogram som en konstruktion formad av bland annat produktionen. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur kärlek och könsroller konstrueras i de svenska upplagorna av dejtingprogrammen Bonde söker fru och Tro, hopp och kärlek. Vidare syftar studien till att göra en jämförelse av programmens konstruktioner rörande kärlek och könsroller. För att undersöka detta har studien utförts enligt en anpassning av Norman Faircloughs kritiska diskursanalys. En översikt av tidigare forskning visar att det inte finns mycket sociologisk forskning på området dokusåpor i allmänhet, och dejtingprogram mer specifikt. Angränsande discipliner har dock utforskat problemområdet mer. Bland annat har flera feministiska studier visat att stereotypa könroller förstärks i dejtingprogram och en studie i psykologi visade att ungdomars konsumtion av dejtingprogram kan påverka deras attityder kring sexuellt beteende. Denna studie visar att de båda programmens konstruktioner, gällande kärlek och könsroller, har stora likheter. I dejtingprogrammens genomsyrande kärleksideal betonas bland annat vikten av intimitet. Detta ideal kan förstås utifrån Anthony Giddens begrepp det rena förhållandet. Studien visar även att könrollskonstruktionerna i programmen präglas av en slitning. Till stor del går könsrollerna i linje med dejtingprogrammens kärlekskonstruktioner, då könsrollerna utmärks av en jämlikhetssträvan och vikten av ömsesidigt engagemang i dejtingen. Samtidigt innehåller könsrollkonstruktionerna bland annat kvinnors kritik mot passiva män, vilket kan förstås som ett uttryck för mer traditionella könsroller.

Thesis advisor: Belle Liang / Research on women's voice and self-silencing has shown that girls begin to silence themselves during adolescence in response to sociocultural pressures to conform to gender norms and as a way to stay relationally connected with others. While the literature on voice for women has been extensive, it has centered primarily on the experiences of European-American women, which may not be generalizable to other ethnic/racial groups. This study extends existing research by examining voice experiences for Asian American women specifically. Given the multiple minority statuses and social roles that are a part of Asian American women's identities, the current study examined the intersecting influences of gender, race, culture, and power, in the experience of voice and authenticity. Specifically, this study explored voice for these women in different social contexts where issues of gender, race and power tend to be salient. Additionally, the study examined the role of racism-related stress and culture in self-silencing. Finally, associations between voice, support for voice, and psychological wellbeing were assessed. Findings indicated that levels of voice, as well as levels of perceived support for voice varied by social context, providing evidence for the importance of social climate in voice. In general, both voice and perceived support for voice were higher in settings with minimal power differentials (i.e., with female and Asian peers vs. with authority figures). In two of the social contexts of interest (i.e., non-Asian peers and male authority figures), racism-related stress was significantly associated with lower levels of voice. Self-construal, which was used as an indicator of cultural tendencies, was also significantly associated with voice; individuals with an independent style had more voice, and those with an interdependent style had less voice. Higher levels of voice were associated with higher perceived support for voice. And ultimately, higher voice was linked with better psychological outcomes. Implications for research, work/school settings, and clinical practice were discussed, as well as limitations and suggestions for future research. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology.

My work explores domesticity, the role reversal happening in the family dynamics, the banality of home life, and the common escapism that occurs in parents. Men play a larger role in the home and women play a larger role outside the home blurring the lines of responsibility and changing expectations. This emasculating process often creates a power struggle within the home. These common issues are the fodder for my artistic practice. Domestic pattern, utility, sexual frustration, chaos and contentment all play a part.

This research explores the relationship between gender role stereotypes and art interpretation. The study focuses on survey results collected from high school students in an art education classroom and undergraduate college students in an art exploration course. The aim of the study was to determine if gender role stereotypes affects the way that individuals perceive artwork as created by a male or female artist. Results show that gender role stereotyping along with the gender of the participant affects the symbolism within the artwork that results in the attribution of artwork being created by a male or female artists. It also demonstrates a perceived decrease in gender role stereotypes of males over the past 42 years.