Gender Issues

McIlroy, Rich C.; McPeake, Katie

doi: 10.1007/s12147-024-09345-5pmid: N/A

Despite considerable attention in the academic domain, end-users of transport systems are rarely directly asked what they think of gender inequity in transport. Shedding light on this could inform education strategies to address such inequities. This research addresses this research gap, revealing how people think about differences in the way transport systems support (or do not support) the safe and comfortable mobility of men and women. It does so via the use of asynchronous online focus groups, to which 114 people contributed. The research also addresses questions around the impact of focus group gender composition on participants’ responses, an issue not previously considered in online or asynchronous contexts. Results suggest there is broad acceptance of women’s transport disadvantage, with men’s views of women’s experiences largely matching women’s own reports. Women’s views of men’s experiences were less reflective of the male reality. Safety and security were commonly discussed; however, trip complexity and other constraints, driven by differences in care roles taken, were discussed less and therefore represent a potential avenue for education strategies. Group gender composition did impact upon responding, with several of the effects previously found in face-to-face focus group research also manifesting in the anonymous, online context.

Simon, Richi; Hasan, Shumayela

doi: 10.1007/s12147-025-09351-1pmid: N/A

This research paper provides a comprehensive examination of gender inequality and the status of women's empowerment in contemporary Indian society, focusing on the pervasive influence of patriarchy. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining historical analysis with empirical data to explore various factors—social, economic, political, educational, legal, cultural, and healthcare—that contribute to gender disparities. The research underscores the systemic barriers entrenched within patriarchal structures, emphasizing the need for holistic interventions to dismantle these obstacles. Through the application of key patriarchal theories, such as Sylvia Walby's Theory of Patriarchy and Pierre Bourdieu's Theory of Masculine Domination, the paper contextualizes the manifestation of patriarchy in modern India. The study also evaluates existing initiatives aimed at women's empowerment, including government programs and legislative measures, and provides recommendations for advancing gender equality. By highlighting the persistent challenges and proposing actionable strategies, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on fostering a more inclusive and equitable society in India.

Carvalho, Sérgio A.; Forte, Teresa; Manão, Andreia A.; Pascoal, Patrícia M.

doi: 10.1007/s12147-024-09347-3pmid: N/A

Despite the critical role of clinicians in facilitating access to healthcare by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people, their insight and practice-based knowledge have been underresearched. Also, they may complement TGD people's experiences by giving an insider perspective. This exploratory qualitative study, conducted online in a sample of 25 clinicians who work with TGD people (n = 11 clinical sexologists), explores how clinicians working with TGD people in Portugal perceive healthcare provision to TGD people, using a summative content analysis. Results showed that clinicians perceive their role to be all-encompassing, ranging from helping to cope with individual and interpersonal issues, and to cope with other health services. Participants highlighted the increase of TGD people’s visibility, awareness, and scientific knowledge, albeit more is needed as evidenced by several challenges derived from clinicians (e.g., lack of national guidelines, lack of training for standardized care, and lack of professional skills) and from the TGD clients (e.g., unrealistic expectations and lack of compliance). The proposed solutions include increasing the investment in specialized training and human resources, raising awareness within the healthcare system, and increasing interdisciplinary specialized care. Clinicians specialized in clinical sexology highlighted changes in scientific knowledge, more available evidence, and a need for socio-political changes and awareness raising. This study reveals that healthcare providers are self-critical but also reflect upon the difficulties of navigating between organizational, human, and personal constraints, claiming that to provide better healthcare there, policymakers must take concerted measures that can have a social impact.

Bjarnesen, Mariam

doi: 10.1007/s12147-024-09346-4pmid: N/A

Based on in-depth interviews with female cadets, this article explores what it is like to be a young military woman in the 2020s. Focusing on the Swedish Armed Forces this study takes its point of departure in minority group processes examined from a gender perspective. How do young military women navigate challenges specific to their gendered positionalities, and to what extent are coping strategies needed in this male-dominated environment? The article concludes that despite an increased focus on gender equality and a more welcoming attitude to military women, persistent norms of masculinity remain challenging for women in military settings. At the same time, young military women may have found new ways of navigating the burden of visibility that women in minority often struggle with. For example, while gendered performance pressure remains a reality, strategies of disassociating oneself from other women, in line with previous theorising, do not appear to be a dominant coping strategy. This generation of women entered the military under different circumstances than those who paved the way. The reassurance of being strategically prioritised may have inspired new ways of navigating a fear of visibility, in contrast with previous generations who often rejected the idea of female networks within the organisation. Young military women of today might therefore be more inclined to fight structural challenges. Given the gendered challenges military women still face, it remains to be seen whether these forms of gendered empowerment will be enough to retain them.

Keener, Emily; Reichert, Amanda; Khalaifa, Mohamad; Henry, Shaye; Wilsoncroft, Kimberly

doi: 10.1007/s12147-025-09353-zpmid: N/A

This study examined how specific dimensions of toxic masculinity relate to sexually violent attitudes and behaviors among male college athletes. Through surveying Division 2 male athletes (N = 194, 91% response rate) at a northwestern Pennsylvania state university, we examined how three dimensions of toxic masculinity—Power Over Women, Heterosexual Self-Presentation, and Winning—relate to rape myth acceptance and sexual deception. Structural equation modeling revealed Power Over Women as significantly associated with all dimensions of rape myth acceptance (She Lied, He Didn't Mean To, and She Asked For It). Correlational analyses showed Power Over Women was also linked to both dimensions of sexual deception. Heterosexual Self-Presentation was only associated with the She Lied dimension of rape myth acceptance and Blatant Lying, while Winning was exclusively associated with Blatant Lying behaviors. These findings demonstrate that Power Over Women is the critical dimension of toxic masculinity driving sexually violent attitudes and behaviors in athletic contexts. Results suggest that sexual violence prevention programs in collegiate athletics must specifically target beliefs about men's power over women rather than focusing solely on consent education or bystander intervention.

Alhassan, Issahaku; Asekere, George; Braimah, Awaisu Imurana; Asante, William; Kanlisi, Simon Kaba

doi: 10.1007/s12147-025-09352-0pmid: N/A

This paper is an analysis of how the twist in the LGBTQ + discourse in Ghana influenced voter behaviour in the 2024 Assin North Constituency by-election. This is a preliminary step to help inform policies to address the utter dislike for members of the LGBTQ + community. Despite the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) attempts to sway voters with overnight development projects and vote-buying, the opposition National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) anti-LGBTQ + propaganda campaign proved more effective. The NDC claimed that the NPP’s funding came from the LGBTQ + community aiming to influence the vote on the anti-LGBTQ + bill. This political strategy resonated well with voters, particularly in religious communities, who rejected the NPP candidate based on supposedly support for LGBTQ + values. Our study supports Yale’s attitude change theory, highlighting the influence of persuasive messages on voter behaviour. It particularly underscores the need to address discriminatory rhetoric in political campaigns and protect the rights of marginalised groups. The study concludes that the NDC’s anti-LGQBTQ + standpoint influenced the By-election outcome of the Assin North Constituency. We recommend political correctness on LGBTQ + concerning people’s sexual orientation. Further, policymakers should enforce regulations against hate speech and promote fact-based future campaigns that align with democratic tenets to safeguard the rights of all people in line with International Human Rights conventions.

Youssef, Moustafa Haj; Sayour, Nagham

doi: 10.1007/s12147-025-09350-2pmid: 39975472

We investigate the impact of gendered personality traits on the entrepreneurial performance of male and female entrepreneurs in Lebanon during the COVID-19 crisis. Using the Big Five personality model and survey data from 500 entrepreneurs, the research examines how traits such as agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience influence business outcomes in high-pressure environments. The findings reveal that agreeableness and neuroticism benefit female entrepreneurs more than males during crises, while conscientiousness significantly deteriorates the financial performance of female entrepreneurs. Extraversion and openness exhibit no differential effects on financial performance by gender. By examining the interplay between gendered personality traits and entrepreneurial performance within the unique context of Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study contributes novel insights to the literature. It challenges traditional views on gendered advantages in entrepreneurship, particularly by highlighting the underexplored positive implications of neuroticism and the nuanced role of agreeableness. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and support organisations. Specifically, fostering relational skills such as agreeableness and leveraging neuroticism’s sensitivity for proactive crisis management can enhance entrepreneurial resilience. Additionally, training programmes aimed at addressing the rigidity associated with conscientiousness can help entrepreneurs adapt more effectively to volatile environments. By tailoring interventions to gender-specific personality dynamics, these insights can strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and improve resilience in times of uncertainty.

Gyurián Nagy, Nikolett

doi: 10.1007/s12147-024-09349-1pmid: N/A

This study initially conducted a systematic literature review to examine gender differences in environmental orientation (EO) using the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale. Following PRISMA guidelines, 38 studies were selected from a total of 168, providing a comprehensive overview of the existing research on the topic. Based on the insights gained from the review, a large sample survey was then conducted to explore further the differences in EO between male and female consumers. The results were compared with previous studies employing similar methodologies. The central research question is: Does gender identity influence EO as measured by the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale? The NEP scale is a well-established instrument for assessing environmental attitudes. The significance of this topic lies in the potential impact of differing attitudes among gender groups on the effectiveness of communication and comprehension. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing strategies for sustainable development through targeted and effective messaging. Our findings indicate that women exhibit a higher NEP orientation, suggesting they are more aware of environmental concerns than men. The systematic review also confirmed this trend, with the majority of studies reporting higher environmental awareness among women. Additionally, women demonstrate greater awareness of related problems and a higher willingness to change their behavior to reduce their environmental impact. In contrast, men’s attitudes are more varied, reflecting a broader diversity of opinions within this group.

Alkan, Deniz Palalar; Gündüz, Safak; Ozbilgin, Mustafa; Kamasak, Rifat

doi: 10.1007/s12147-024-09348-2pmid: N/A

The representation of motherhood using digital platforms, which we call sharenting, can shape the socially constructed motherhood identity, i.e., supermoms in modern societies. Despite building a positive identity as mothers, supermoms may unintentionally violate their children’s privacy, instrumentalise, and even monetise the children. We examine sharenting and supermom identities as manifestations of neoliberal repositioning women as mothers and employees with little consideration of their unarticulated struggles. Drawing on a netnographic study of social media practices, we analysed fifteen working supermom accounts with over two hundred thousand followers, where child-related content was shared and posted between 2019 and 2023. We find that sharenting is often employed to construct the identity of supermoms, yet it frequently leads to the exploitation of children for profit-driven purposes, thereby increasing their vulnerability. We contribute to the literature by offering empirical evidence that the supermom identity is a by-product of the neoliberal system, which normalises time-intensive demands on women in the workplace and caregiving roles. Furthermore, we highlight the adverse consequences of sharenting and provide critical insights into the privacy and security risks associated with child-related digital content.