Cultural messaging and gender roles

My article in The Quint. “Societal norms and cultural messages often reinforce the idea that men are the primary breadwinners and public figures, while women are primarily responsible for domestic duties. When women challenge these traditional roles, it can disrupt deeply ingrained patriarchal beliefs. The case in Kolkata seems even more nuanced as it is an example of greed, corruption and crimes playing out over a woman’s body because she “dared” to question. We of course don’t know the truth yet. Whatever it is, the answer is to let women fill theses spaces. We shall double down on our work on shifting social norms so that more and more girls feel empowered to step up, seek out the world and work outside of homes, have dreams and aspirations of careers that help them be seen out there, playing, relaxing, taking buses, entering markets, eating in restaurants, giving political speeches in crowded chowks; being doctors, engineers, pilots, wrestlers, plumbers, ward councillors in large numbers. We have to equip our girls with a strong sense of self, of being masters of their own decisions and lives. We have to train institutions to provide safety nets and implement in all sincerity laws on sexual harassment in workplaces, provide services that help women seek stigma-free, and essential mental health counselling at workplaces. We have to make sure police procedures are free from corruption along with swift and accurate investigations and meting out sentences take priority. And lastly, we have to train men on how to treat their female colleagues as equals, with respect and how to ask for consent before they can pay random innuendoed compliments. Only then, “into that heaven of freedom,” will the women of my country thrive.” #genderequality #genderequity #norms #masculinity #violenceagainstwomen #genderbasedviolence

I’ve been reading a lot of posts on LinkedIn recently urging men to stand up to displays of misogyny and GBV. Some of these posts are from people and organizations trying to develop and implement programs to help men and boys transcend the aspects of traditional masculinity that are harmful to themselves and others. Other posts are call-outs, suggesting that men should act better. And here’s the thing that only a few people are talking about - neither of those approaches will be overly successful in the short term because we live in a patriarchal society. What does that mean? First, while gender roles (including norms about men getting in the way of other men expressing traditional masculinity) are socially constructed cultural norms, they are established over time by the most influential - and that’s usually by men and for men. They prioritize masculinity over femininity, men over women. Moreover, because they are societal norms, changing individuals doesn’t lead to changing society - at least not very fast (just look around at all the many examples of that). Second, socializing gender roles goes beyond teaching our children about how boys and girls/men and women are supposed to think, behave, and feel; it’s also about maintaining and reinforcing those stereotypical roles. So people are rewarded for conforming to gender roles and punished for transgressing them - especially boys and men. In other words, gender is policed. And the biggest group policing gender is men - they police it in both men and women. Yes, women also do this, but they don’t do it as much, and the punishment they mete out for deviating from the proscribed norms aren’t as harsh. The point is, when a man decides to deviate from traditional role norms, there’s a calculation around risk and severity of punishment. And we’ve got decades of research to back all this up. All this leads to the third point I want to make about why teaching boys and men to be better and/or calling them out is not going to be overly effective in the short term: even though we can (and I say should) teach them ways to transcend or overcome those more harmful aspects of masculinity, boys and men must still live in a world where deviating from gendered norms is often punished - those consequences can be social, physical, monetary, and more. Telling them they can act differently does not take away the potential punishment they may experience as a result of doing what you’re asking. And yes, there can be bottom-up change. But that’s going to be slow because the top-down pressure to conform is strong. The take away is that changing these societal norms will take much longer than people want or expect and, because of that, there will likely be a large gap between knowing and doing for boys and men.

A month ago I was with IMD #EMBAs in Japan on program about resilience, where conversations about #population_decline seem to be everywhere. The country's fertility rate has plummeted to just 1.15 (2024) children per woman, one of the lowest in the world. It’s been declining since the 1970s. But here's what's fascinating: #fertility rates had decreased in Japan much more than Sweden for the same period. Why? New research (May 2025) by Nobel laureate economist Claudia Goldin reveals something counterintuitive: the #speed of #economic_development matters more than the level of #wealth. Japan experienced explosive economic growth from the 1960-80s. Per capita income quadrupled in just two decades. But here's the catch, #social_norms couldn't keep pace with economic reality. The result? A #generational and #gender_conflict: • Women gained education and career opportunities rapidly • Men largely maintained traditional expectations about household roles • Today, Japanese women do 3+ hours more unpaid household work daily than men • In contrast, Swedish women do less than 1 hour more than men This isn't just about childcare policies or economic incentives. It's also about what happens in #private, when societies transform faster than cultural norms can adapt. Countries that developed more gradually (like those in Northern Europe) gave men and women time to #renegotiate #household_responsibilities. The result? Higher fertility rates even with high female employment. The lesson is clear: #economic_transformation without #social_transformation creates demographic challenges that are incredibly hard to reverse. These findings are especially meaningful in the #current_context when gender equity becomes a political fault line, workplace norms continue to reward availability over care, and traditional gender roles make a come back. Walking through Tokyo's quiet neighborhoods, you can feel this tension a modern economy built on traditional family structures that no longer work for the #families (and #women) themselves. Goldin reframes the #fertility_crisis as a #macroeconomic and #cultural challenge. It’s not about persuading women to have more babies, it’s about redesigning the world so they can. Worth reading the full paper in comments #Demographics #Japan #GenderEquality #EconomicDevelopment #SocialChange

🌍 The ‘Who is Afraid of Gender?’ report, created by The Queer African Youth Networking Center (QAYN), a queer feminist organization, in collaboration with Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest – ISDAO, an activist-led fund, uncovers the forces behind the rise of anti-gender campaigns in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Senegal. This study highlights the key actors mobilizing against gender inclusivity and justice, often under the banner of ‘protecting cultural values’ and ‘traditions.’ 1️⃣ Religious and Traditional Leaders: These leaders use cultural influence to frame gender inclusivity as a moral threat, stirring opposition by labeling it as culturally dangerous. 2️⃣ Political Leaders: Many political figures leverage anti-gender rhetoric for popularity, supporting policies that marginalize LGBTQ+ communities to win public approval. 3️⃣ Media: Through sensationalist stories, the media amplifies fear, presenting gender rights as ‘un-African’ or harmful to social values. 4️⃣ Civil Society: Some groups promote narrow gender views, supporting restrictive definitions of acceptable identities and roles. 5️⃣ International Allies: Foreign conservative organizations fund local anti-gender campaigns, strengthening these narratives with resources and strategic backing. 🎨 We have visually enriched the report with illustrations that capture the urgency and resilience of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and allies pushing back against these dominant powers. The cover depicts a united front of women and queer voices asserting their rights and demanding visibility amid an oppressive climate. 🖼️ Other images throughout the report emphasize the critical need for mobilization, advocacy, and action to counteract anti-gender narratives and protect human rights. These visuals aim to inspire and empower, reinforcing the call for a peaceful, inclusive society. #artactivism #gender #change #world #narrative #artforgood #activism

💡 New Inclusive Advertising Research Alert: 15+ yrs of data, multiple industry and NGO partners and over 1,000 ads! We asked: What does award-winning advertising look like in a culturally complex, emerging market—and is it inclusive? 🌍 Proud to share our multi-stakeholder collaboration with Unstereotype Alliance, convened by UN Women Türkiye and the Turkish Advertisers Association. 🏆 Award-Winning, but Gender-Inclusive? We analyzed 15+ years of Effie-winning TV ads to explore gender representation and storytelling in the unique East-West context of Turkey. Our findings are now published in the International Journal of Advertising. Key insights: ✅ Women are increasingly shown in non-traditional roles but men remain limited to traditional portrayals. ✅ Lead character roles and perceived gender of voiceover significantly shape perceptions of gender and societal progressiveness, respectively. 📌 What’s next? 1. Keep momentum on multidimensional portrayals of women, especially increasing representation of women over 50. 2. Expand representations of men beyond the breadwinner role, to show them as involved fathers, partners, and more 📚 Learn more about the full study: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dAgsv8Zk Grateful to co-authors Gül Şener, Eda Ozturk, Önder Yönet, Hande Bilsel for bringing me into this important work—and to the special issue editors for the opportunity.

Over the past few decades, the world has witnessed a profound transformation in the roles and expectations of women. Women are now stepping into leadership roles across industries, breaking barriers, and becoming primary breadwinners in many households. In fact, as of 2021, 40% of women are the primary earners in their families (Pew Research). But despite these advances, men’s roles in society have evolved at a much slower pace—and this imbalance is contributing to a widening gender equity gap that affects everyone. Consider this: in the 1970s, 25% of activists fighting for gender equity were men. Today, less than 5% of gender activists are men, with many feeling left out of the conversation (Feminist Frequency Report, 2022). At the same time, while women have made strides in the workplace, men are still performing just 25% of household work. This unequal division of labour shows how traditional expectations persist, placing undue pressure on both men and women. Women’s advancement in the workforce has been significant and commendable, but as society changes for women, the same level of progress for men has lagged behind. Gender norms are still deeply ingrained, and men are often not encouraged—or supported—in stepping up at home, advocating for gender equity, or embracing new societal roles. Many men feel uncertain about their place in today’s gender discussions and may hesitate to engage, unsure of how to contribute. This exclusion can create a sense of disconnection and limit the potential for true progress. So, where do we go from here? 💭 We need to create spaces where men feel welcomed and encouraged to be part of the solution. Gender equity is not just about uplifting women; it’s about creating balance and fairness for everyone. This means rethinking how we define masculinity, challenging outdated stereotypes, and promoting a culture where men feel comfortable taking on more at home and becoming allies in the push for gender equality. True equity requires shared responsibility. When men become more involved at home, when they take part in advocating for equality in the workplace and society, it not only supports women but also allows men to experience a more fulfilling, balanced life. The world has changed rapidly for women, and now it’s time for men to evolve too. Together, we can break down the barriers that limit all of us and create a more inclusive, equitable future. Let’s continue the conversation. Men, your voices and actions matter. 💪🏽🌍 #GenderEquity #SharedResponsibility #MenForEquality #DiversityAndInclusion #HeForShe #BreakingBarriers

"I showed this to my father and asked why he doesn’t do this at home.” (Pavithra Krishna, Class 3, PTI) 👉The Kerala government introduced gender-neutral images in school textbooks, marking a significant step towards building a gender-neutral society and eradicating gender stereotypes and roles. This initiative is a powerful move towards sensitizing children about existing gender roles within families, challenging traditional gender norms, promoting shared household responsibilities, and fostering a value system that visualizes a future, free from gender-based restrictions. 👉For this vision to take full effect, it's essential to extend beyond just images. The examples provided in textbooks, the sentences used, and the questions asked in examinations should all incorporate the essence of gender neutrality throughout the education system. 👉 Moreover, we need to balance societal expectations for men and women both. Whenever this balance is disrupted, society regresses. The anecdote I started with highlights this issue clearly: Consider a scenario where the child’s mother is a homemaker, and her father manages household finances, or both parents are professionals, yet the mother is responsible for household chores. This is where teachers play a crucial role. 👉The way children perceive these images and concepts is pivotal. Teachers must help young minds understand the nuances of gender roles and expectations. 👉It's important to teach that parents can mutually decide their roles, and it's perfectly acceptable. It's great if a woman works while her husband is the homemaker, and vice versa. It's equally fine if both parents work and share household responsibilities. It’s time for all states and the central government to adopt similar initiatives and ensure that teachers are trained to effectively implement gender neutrality policies. #GenderNeutralEducation #PolicyAnalysis #KeralaInitiative #GenderEquality #EducationReform #BreakingStereotypes

Learning about different values and cultures can transform your relationships. This applies to gender differences too. Appreciate the differences and highlight the similarities. At our core, we all need to love and be loved. Traveling is like getting a Ph.D. in relationships. Discover different cultures through their food, art, music, dance, and language. Learn a new language if you can. Understand cultural differences in greetings, meetings, social situations, and business interactions. Thousands of books are available on these topics. I attended a yoga retreat organized by my friend Helen. To my surprise, I was the only male among 35 participants. This experience taught me a lot. On the first night, everyone gathered for dinner, not knowing each other. My past experiences with all-male groups usually involved discussions about work, boasting about achievements, and establishing a hierarchy through shared manly hobbies like sports and fishing. However, the dynamic with this group of women was completely different. They all asked, “How do you know Helen?” They were curious about my connection and wanted to establish a network and learn how everyone knew each other. Women often prioritize connections and group harmony without establishing hierarchies. This behavior may be traced back to childhood and traditional gender roles.  This concept falls into gender stereotypes, but I’m curious to find out if you think these concepts are still true.  Although this is changing, traditionally, boys played competitive and hierarchical games like king of the hill, and follow the leader, while girls tended to play more collaborative games like tea, classroom, and house. Even the latest video games bring up the discussion of gender stereotypes and male/female roles.  This is changing, but think about the games you played as a child and see if that informs how you act as an adult. This might be a great topic for discussion when you talk about gender stereotypes and men’s and women’s roles.  Even the male/female EI profiles indicate some of these gender stereotypes.  See the graph and note the highs and lows for males and females.  Keep in mind that this is a self-perception evaluation, so these graphs indicate how folks feel about themselves.  This graph represents 265 males and 64 females (all but 12 are in operations). Understanding these dynamics helps you connect with anyone, regardless of gender. Be curious, not judgmental. Seek out diverse groups and discover the many things you have in common. P.S. What has been your most eye-opening cultural experience? Comment below! #cultureandgender #personalgrowth #leadershipdevelopment #diversityandinclusion #emotionalintelligence #lifelonglearning