Our research analysed the feminine role, status, and cultural expectations in Italian, Chinese, Bulgarian/ Romanian, and Albanian communities in Italy. It involved three steps. Firstly, guided interviews were administrated to 70 males and 70 females, all aged 25-40, from each group to investigate how they viewed the feminine role, men’s idea of the ideal woman, how women internalized their own role, and how they fit into their traditional gender role. The scores showed stereotypical perceptions with little differences between groups. The Bem Sex-Role Inventory was then applied to assess the convergence/disagreement between expected traits and real status. Data, correlated with social indicators and compared among the groups, suggested a tendency in all groups to achieve higher scores on the femininity scale. These scores confirmed the self/other descriptions in the first step, emphasizing separate spheres of influence for women and men. Finally, Gilligan and Noddings’ models of moral reasoning were administrated to prove the correlation between the previous scores concerning gender identity and a propensity to caring, relationships and responsibilities as feminine characteristics. These scores contrasted with those of the former steps, showing a tendency to the masculine style of reasoning based on jus49 tice, rights, and decision-making. This analysis suggests that more reflection is needed on ethical rather than ethnic differences.
Interethnic feminine gender: a pilot research
SINATRA, Maria
2010-01-01
Abstract
Our research analysed the feminine role, status, and cultural expectations in Italian, Chinese, Bulgarian/ Romanian, and Albanian communities in Italy. It involved three steps. Firstly, guided interviews were administrated to 70 males and 70 females, all aged 25-40, from each group to investigate how they viewed the feminine role, men’s idea of the ideal woman, how women internalized their own role, and how they fit into their traditional gender role. The scores showed stereotypical perceptions with little differences between groups. The Bem Sex-Role Inventory was then applied to assess the convergence/disagreement between expected traits and real status. Data, correlated with social indicators and compared among the groups, suggested a tendency in all groups to achieve higher scores on the femininity scale. These scores confirmed the self/other descriptions in the first step, emphasizing separate spheres of influence for women and men. Finally, Gilligan and Noddings’ models of moral reasoning were administrated to prove the correlation between the previous scores concerning gender identity and a propensity to caring, relationships and responsibilities as feminine characteristics. These scores contrasted with those of the former steps, showing a tendency to the masculine style of reasoning based on jus49 tice, rights, and decision-making. This analysis suggests that more reflection is needed on ethical rather than ethnic differences.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
