Gender Perception in Different Cultures - Research Paper

Introduction

A culture’s perception of gender can be seen through the roles that are assigned to members of that specific gender. As a result, the role differences can offer clues to the differences in gender perception in different cultures. The journal article, “Culture and Gender Role Differences by Angelica-Nicoleta Neculaesei, tries to answer the question of how and why gender perception is either similar or different in various cultures. According to the author, culture is an instrument used to shape human behavior, language, and a person’s thinking. The study identified different cultural dimensions that reflect gender roles and ethics of sexual differences. The researcher concluded that binary thinking that is modeled along social evolution accommodates positive and negative perceptions.

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On the other hand, a different researcher also studies the differences and similarities of gender perception in different countries. Since different countries have different cultures, the various understanding of gender in different countries is also an indication of the gender perception of the cultures within the states. Just like Neculaesei(2015), Weziak-Bialowolska (2015) uses gender roles as an indicator of the gender perception of the respective culture. The study addresses the lack of proper statistical treatment of the measurement invariance (MI) assessment while investigating and comparing the values and attitudes towards gender roles in different countries. By using the multi-group confirmatory factor analysis with or without alignment to ascertain, weak, strong, and strict MI, the researchers found that the concept of gender equality is not comparable in all countries that participated in the survey (Weziak-Bialowolska, 2015). The researcher indicated that most egalitarian gender role attitudes measured by the Gender Equality Scale (GES) are in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, and Croatia. The researchers observed that the egalitarian gender roles and attitudes found in the countries mentioned above are higher than the gender equality attitudes recorded in countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Albania, and Romania.

Neculaesei (2015) and Weziak-Bialowolska (2015) are not the only studies that have delved into the topic of gender perception across different cultures. Van De Vijver (2007) wrote a paper on cultural and gender differences in gender role beliefs. The researcher examined the nature and size of culture and gender differences in gender roles beliefs among five cultural groups in the Netherlands (Van De Vijver, 2007). These cultural groups include the Dutch mainstreamers, the Antillean Dutch, Turkish, Moroccan, and Surinamese. The researchers addressed the acculturative gender role beliefs and sharing practices in immigrant groups. The researchers observed that increased sharing and egalitarian gender role beliefs were associated with better well-being in all cultures and gender groups. The cultural differences were more significant for gender role beliefs as compared to the sharing behavior. The study found that there are still cultural differences in gender role beliefs, but differences decrease after a correction from background variables. The researchers concluded that background variables such as education are significant influencers for the differences in gender role beliefs across various cultural groups and between generations.

I agree with the research findings from the three articles, which indicated that there are differences in the perception of gender in different cultures. These differences can be seen in communication and the relationship that exists between the people of different genders. According to Neculaesei (2015), men place importance on what they do, while women prioritize, “what they are.” Also, the gender perception of a particular culture is influenced by communication, which is, in turn, influenced by their gender perception.

The study by Neculaesei (2015), indicates that there is a two-way relationship between cultural perception and communication. The perception that one gender has regarding the other gender is influenced by the nature of communication between the two cultures. On the other hand, the interaction between the two genders will end up being affected by cultural perception, which is reflected in their gender roles. Through such a relationship, I can see how differences would exist in the way different cultures perceive gender. Different cultures have different communication techniques, modes, languages, and even rules. Such differences would be carried forward to their gender perception.

However, while Neculaesei (2015) speaks extensively about communication and its influence on gender roles and perception, it doesn’t offer much regarding the attitudes that different cultures have regarding gender. Weziak-Bialowolska (2015) couldn’t find studies on the different gender role attitudes but was still able to discuss the gender attitudes in different societies extensively. I agree with the research by Weziak-Bialowolska (2015), which indicated that there were varying perceptions of male gender roles in countries with egalitarian, traditional, and intermediate attitudes. These attitudes are what shape the gender perception in various cultures and societies. These attitudes are the instruments that shape the understanding of gender. The members of the community get to see gender from the perspective of one gender supporting the other rather than one gender dominating the other.

Conclusion

Finally, I do agree with the findings that identified education as one of the variables that influence the gender perception of a culture through their gender role beliefs. Research has indicated that education is a tool through which societies have come to favor gender equality (Van De Vijver, 2007). That means that varying the nature of communication and education are some of the reasons for differences in gender perception in different cultures.

References

Neculaesei, A. N. (2015). Culture and gender role differences. Cross-Cultural Management Journal, 17(1), 31-35.

Van De Vijver, F. J. (2007). Cultural and gender differences in gender-role beliefs, sharing household task and child-care responsibilities, and well-being among immigrants and majority members in the Netherlands. Sex Roles, 57(11-12), 813-824.

Weziak-Bialowolska, D. (2015). Differences in gender norms between countries: Are they valid? The issue of measurement invariance. European Journal of Population, 31(1), 51-76.