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On Norms and Agency: Conversations about Gender Equality with Women and Men in 20 Countries
Social norms, gender roles, beliefs about one’s own capacity, and assets, as well as communities and countries, determine the opportunities available to women and men—and their ability to take advantage of them. World Development Report 2012 shows significant progress in many areas, but gender disparities still persist.
Our study covered 20 countries in all world regions, where over 4,000 women and men, in remote and traditional villages and dense urban neighborhoods, in more than 500 focus groups, discussed the effects of gender differences and inequalities on their lives. Despite diverse social and cultural settings, traits and expectations of the ideal “good” woman and “good” man were remarkably similar across all sample urban and rural communities. Participants acknowledged that women are actively seeking equal power and freedom, but must constantly negotiate and resist traditional expectations about what they are to do and who they are to be. When women achieve the freedom to work for pay or get more education, they must still accommodate their gains to these expectations, especially on household responsibilities.
Girls’ desire for education, which nurtures their aspirations for greater agency, exceeded that of boys in rural and urban communities. Both young women and men wished for more education and better jobs than are common in their communities and strikingly wanted to marry later, bear children later, and have more autonomy in choosing their partners than traditional community norms dictated.
The main pathways for women to gain agency are education, employment, and decreased risk of domestic violence. A safer space encourages women to negotiate for more participation and equality in household discussions and decisions. Women’s ability to contribute to family finances and control (even partially) major or minor assets helps them gain more voice at home and in public spheres. Women’s aspirations and empowerment to break gender barriers occur regardless of dynamic or poor economies, while men’s perceived gain in agency—and their identity as breadwinner—largely depends on economic conditions.
When only a few women manage to break with established norms—without a critical mass—traditional norms are not contested and may be reinforced. The process of gender norm change thus appears to be uneven and challenging, lagging behind topical conditions. The easy co-existence of new and old norms means that households in the same community can vary markedly in how much agency women can exercise, and women feel less empowered when opinions and values of families and communities stay with traditional norms.
Our study covered 20 countries in all world regions, where over 4,000 women and men, in remote and traditional villages and dense urban neighborhoods, in more than 500 focus groups, discussed the effects of gender differences and inequalities on their lives. Despite diverse social and cultural settings, traits and expectations of the ideal “good” woman and “good” man were remarkably similar across all sample urban and rural communities. Participants acknowledged that women are actively seeking equal power and freedom, but must constantly negotiate and resist traditional expectations about what they are to do and who they are to be. When women achieve the freedom to work for pay or get more education, they must still accommodate their gains to these expectations, especially on household responsibilities.
Girls’ desire for education, which nurtures their aspirations for greater agency, exceeded that of boys in rural and urban communities. Both young women and men wished for more education and better jobs than are common in their communities and strikingly wanted to marry later, bear children later, and have more autonomy in choosing their partners than traditional community norms dictated.
The main pathways for women to gain agency are education, employment, and decreased risk of domestic violence. A safer space encourages women to negotiate for more participation and equality in household discussions and decisions. Women’s ability to contribute to family finances and control (even partially) major or minor assets helps them gain more voice at home and in public spheres. Women’s aspirations and empowerment to break gender barriers occur regardless of dynamic or poor economies, while men’s perceived gain in agency—and their identity as breadwinner—largely depends on economic conditions.
When only a few women manage to break with established norms—without a critical mass—traditional norms are not contested and may be reinforced. The process of gender norm change thus appears to be uneven and challenging, lagging behind topical conditions. The easy co-existence of new and old norms means that households in the same community can vary markedly in how much agency women can exercise, and women feel less empowered when opinions and values of families and communities stay with traditional norms.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 21, 2016
Insightful read. The observations in this book/report give a good perspective about the still prevailing gender disparities. The essays are not merely confined to sociological perspective, but look at intentions of the participants and the communities they come from. The research vignettes of the members are thoroughly enjoyable, intriguing and appropriate. But most of all, unlike rest of the literature that records gender disparities, this book/report doesn't ride on the 'shock value' of gender inequalities. Never giving you the impression that there is no hope for gender equality. By which I mean, the notion propagated by NGOs and GOs that individuals within the family are obtuse about, and incapable of change and therefore a third party agency like these should aim to overthrow disparities.
An example cited from Papua New Guinea, a good wife, was imagined to be "honest, friendly, smart, sharing, caring, helpful, submissive, loving, understanding, faithful, (have) the heart of a servant, hard-working, respectful, responsible and wise (with budgeting)."
Amusing to see how the woman is observant of the gender roles. 'Have the heart of a servant' which is a figurative statement confirming the role of women as caregivers. And, 'wise (with budgeting)' - very honest observation, penned down as is. The report addresses the problem but never actually enforces own meaning to the statements. Also cites the ways new generations are resisting these norms. In another subsequent paragraph: An adolescent from Andhra - 'women of those days (mother's age) were "innocent," they had not seen the world outside their homes.'
A great read for both statistics on gender equality, as well as on genuine concerns and personal struggles of women today.
An example cited from Papua New Guinea, a good wife, was imagined to be "honest, friendly, smart, sharing, caring, helpful, submissive, loving, understanding, faithful, (have) the heart of a servant, hard-working, respectful, responsible and wise (with budgeting)."
Amusing to see how the woman is observant of the gender roles. 'Have the heart of a servant' which is a figurative statement confirming the role of women as caregivers. And, 'wise (with budgeting)' - very honest observation, penned down as is. The report addresses the problem but never actually enforces own meaning to the statements. Also cites the ways new generations are resisting these norms. In another subsequent paragraph: An adolescent from Andhra - 'women of those days (mother's age) were "innocent," they had not seen the world outside their homes.'
A great read for both statistics on gender equality, as well as on genuine concerns and personal struggles of women today.
July 23, 2013
I liked this World Bank report, because it contains some very interesting insights into the gender norms that still persist.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews