CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON GENDER ROLES

CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON GENDER ROLES

1. VALUES OF CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES

   • Can tell whether something is universal or not.
   • Consider the roles that males & females play in the UK society.
   • Are masculine roles such as independence and dominance universal?
   • Are female traits such as nurturing and sensitive universal?

2. MEAD - NEW GUINEA

   • Compared gender roles in 3 tribal societies in NG
     • ARAPESH
       • Both men & women were taught to play what might be seen as a feminine role. Cooperative, non aggressive and sensitive to the needs of others.
     • MUNDUGUMOR
       • Both men & women were brought up to be hostile, aggressive and emotionally unresponsive to other people (masculine pattern of behaviour).
     • TCHAMBULI
       • Males were passive, emotionally dependant and socially sensitive whereas the women were independent, dominant and aggressive.

3. LEUNG & MOORE - INDIVIDUALISTIC VS COLLECTIVIST

   • Compared Australians of English and Chinese origin using bee's Sex Role inventory.
   • Male & female English Australians showed masculine traits which are valued in individualistic cultures.
   • Male & female Chinese Australians showed feminine traits that are valued in a collectivist culture.
   • Cultural values and expectations have a strong influence on the development of gender roles and expectations.

4. MOHAVE TRIBE - 4 GENDER CATEGORIES

   • Traditional male
   • Traditional female
   • Alyha; man who lives as women
   • Hwame; women who lives as man

5. HIJRAS - NANDA

   • In India & Pakistan are physically intersex.
   • Adopt female names and wear women clothing but do not try to pass as women.
   • Heavy make-up, long unbound hair and sexualised gestures set them apart from women in general.

6. ALBANIAN SWORN VIRGINS - YOUNG

   • Shortage of males has led to creation of a new gender, sworn virgin.
   • Women who take on all aspects of male role except do not marry.
   • Some women are forced into this role because there is no male left in the family, others choose it is an alternative to marriage.

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