To understand how genital self-image affects sexual well-being, it is important to consider its influence on sexual function and distress. It is also important to learn what type of genital appearance is considered visually appealing to men and women, and whether genitalia modified by cosmetic surgery are judged as more attractive compared to unmodified genitalia. The present study assessed women’s genital self-image, sexual functioning and sexual distress in order to elucidate the relationship between these three elements of sexual well-being. Additionally, genital photographs were presented to men and women in order to assess conceptions of female genital attractiveness relative to surgical status (i.e. before and after). Four hundred and seventy-six women (M age=24.38) completed online questionnaires to assess genital self-image, sexual satisfaction, functioning and distress. The female sample along with 429 men (M age = 27.47) also reviewed pictures of pre- and post-surgery genitalia and rated them on levels of attractiveness. The Female Genital Self-Image Scale, the Relational Concern and Personal Concern subscales of the Sexual Satisfaction Scale – Women, and the Female Sexual Functioning Index were administered. Genital self-image was positively correlated with functioning variables including arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain, and negatively correlated with sexual distress. Men rated unaltered and altered genitalia as more attractive than women; older participants rated unaltered and altered genitalia as more attractive than younger participants, and men and women of all ages found altered genitalia more attractive than unaltered genitalia.Women with positive genital self-image experience higher levels of sexual functioning and lower levels of sexual distress. Female genitalia modified by genital cosmetic surgery are considered more attractive regardless of age and gender. / text

This study examined the perceptions of female leaders' qualifications, leadership style, and effectiveness to lead. Eighty-nine leaders were surveyed using the Leader Perception Questionnaire Inventory (LPQ-i) on a four-point Likert scale and four random selected phone interviews. This study focused on several conceptual frameworks: first, role congruity theory which examined the incongruence of female leaders; second, contingency and transformational theory, which focuses on behavior style based on qualifications, leadership styles, and effectiveness of female leader's; and lastly, feminist theory which examined gender related issues of leadership. This study details current and historical context of female leader's influence in the workplace throughout history. This study utilized a (qualitative and quantitative) mixed methods approach to gain a new perspective using a phi and chi test to test the hypotheses. The findings concluded that women are continually disproportionately outnumbered by a large margin of (62%) males and '37%) females in high level leadership positions. Also, the findings concluded that men and women hold similar views of female leadership.

This study examined 10 nontraditional women at a small two-year institution. The study illuminated the challenges that these women faced as they matriculated and explored personal, professional, academic, institutional, financial resource, peer relationship, and professor relationship factors that they perceive could and has affected their attrition rates. The findings emerged from a host of dominant themes that were generalized at the inception of the study. The participants mostly provided a clear understanding of their perceptions relative to the themes. Therefore, the participants' responses provide an understanding of the relationships that the themes do or do not have to the participants' contribution to the studied institution's attrition rates. 1 The implications drew upon the research to bring forth a cause and effect understanding of the findings that if heeded could assist in decreasing the attrition rates for African-American female students. The recommendations were brought forth in an effort to provide a guiding post for future practices, policies, and research relative to understanding and adhering to the needs of nontraditional African-American female students.

This study investigates the lives of female sufferers of the Holocaust and American slavery by comparing the different experiences of female and male imprisonment. Critics’ viewpoints on African-American slavery versus the Holocaust genocide were used to write this study. Lastly, it will be noted from renowned authors, their perspective of enslavement being much more torturous to women than men. A historical-analysis approach will be used to record the lives of the women discussed. Diaries, biographies, and reputable sources such as scholarly journals are to be employed to verify and document the events of the Holocaust and American slavery. The conclusion drawn from the research supports the idea that the aspects of female daily life in bondage consists of vulnerability to rape, forced motherhood, humiliation, sexual bargaining, pregnancy, abortion and fear for one’s children.

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Obstetrics and Gynaecology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Business life is historically a male activity. Consequently, expectations of organizations toward their employees in terms of assertiveness, availabilities and submission to the hierarchy have always reflected male standards of living. Thus, the appearance of the leadership concept has naturally been shaped by masculine values. The progressive implication of women in the business life appeared in the 70’s. Consequently, this small universe tailor made for men involved the emergence of gender issues. The role of the leader is to implement the right leadership style to the right situation. A popular vision promotes two traditional leadership styles: a masculine one opposed to a new feminine one. The concept is based on long-established stereotypes regarding genders. Researches tried to prove the natural tendency of men and women to apply a certain leadership style according to their gender. However, results only show very little influence of the gender on the leadership style applied, which allowed us to put gender leadership styles into perspective. Firstly, we collected scientific data from articles and books in order to have a fair vision of concepts on this subject. Then, we envisioned the useful theories to backup concepts we used to analyze. Our analysis is also based on concrete experiences of leaders who face gender issues in the everyday life. We collected their opinions by the mean of semi conducted interviews. We concentrated on theoretical, conceptual and empirical data to explain and analyze gender impacts on leadership and organizations. Concerning our conceptual framework, our empirical findings admit that controversies led to our contemporary understanding of gender leadership. Regarding leadership styles, the current gender stereotypic categorizations do not seem to be relevant anymore. The sexualoriented education and the gender social roles shape followers and leaders perceptions which involve the current male organizational model and a glass ceiling. In other words, women encounter difficulties to access to leading positions. Because of tacit stereotypic perceptions, the business life is a men’s world referring to masculine values and standard ways of living.

Female apologetic behaviour in sport includes any behaviour by female athletes that emphasizes a female athlete’s femininity. This behaviour is in response to the masculine and/or lesbian stereotypes associated with female sport participation. This thesis analyzed the female apologetic within Canadian women’s rugby. Attention was paid to the relationship of level of competition, racial identity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status with female apologetic behaviours. In-depth interviews with nine Canadian, female rugby players from various levels of competition, races and sexual orientations were conducted to explore these negotiations. Judith Butler’s idea of gender performativity was used as a research lens. The participants stated that they did not currently engage in any apologetic behaviour, and it was found that level of rugby, race, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status did not impact female apologetic behaviours. Rugby was found to be a safe place for the participants to perform resistant versions of femininity.

The purpose of this study was to compare indicators of female empowerment gathered in the Demographic Health Survey, conducted in India as the National Family Health Survey. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a country-wide, nationally representative survey that collects important information on household characteristics, health information, and other topics, such as family planning. Two different years, NFHS-2 in 1999 and NFHS-3 in 2006, of the NFHS were compared to examine areas of progress, change, or lack of change in the selected indicators of female empowerment. Specifically, the level of decision-making and autonomy was assessed through the questions located in the Women’s Questionnaire of the NFHS. These data sets from NFHS-2 and NFHS-3 were used in this research. Two specific questions were selected as indicators of the level of independent decision-making for currently married women who participated in the survey. These questions pertained to the decision on personal healthcare and the ability to choose independently to stay with relatives. The logistical regression model revealed a positive change in the level of decision-making between the two survey years, with the range of odds ratios being 0.90 to 1.36. The largest difference occurred in the rural residents. In both measures, the youngest women had the smallest percentage of individuals with high autonomy and mobility. Overall, the study revealed an increase in the decision-making power of women but the majority of women still lack a high degree of freedom and autonomy.