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Tough girl or sidechick?

A study of female characters in American action films reveals that over 58% are portrayed as submissive to male heroes, while 42% are romantically involved with them. Despite appearances of empowerment, these women often rely on masculine norms and re-articulate gender stereotypes

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateApr 21, 2010

You've come a long way on film, baby!

The rise of female-driven movies marks a significant shift in Hollywood, with films like Precious and Sex and the City receiving critical acclaim. This change is attributed to a shift in identity from traditional 'chick flicks' to more topical and relevant stories for modern women.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalThe Journal of Popular Culture·DateApr 16, 2010

Hooking up or dating: Who benefits?

Researchers explore why college students prefer hooking up or dating. Women fear emotional attachment, while men value independence in both situations. Men and women agree on benefits and risks of dating and hooking up, with context influencing preferences.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateApr 7, 2010

Badly fitting condoms curb sexual pleasure

A study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections found that badly fitting condoms can lead to reduced sexual pleasure for both partners. Researchers surveyed 436 men who reported using poorly fitting condoms, finding a significant link between poor fit and increased rates of breakage, slippage, and penile irritation.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·DateFeb 15, 2010

Back to work policies need gender awareness

Back-to-work policies are losing impact due to their 'gender blind' approach, neglecting the needs of teenage fathers and men working in childcare. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted support for young fathers to address gender inequalities and promote inclusive policies.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalCritical Social Policy·DateFeb 3, 2010

Teaching computer games

Researchers from Oklahoma State University outline a teaching method that uses rapid computer game creation to bridge the digital divide. This approach circumvents traditional barriers to computing, such as prior knowledge of programming, and fosters critical and creative thinking skills.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Social and Humanistic Computing·DateJan 21, 2010

School burnout

A recent study by the Academy of Finland has found a correlation between school burnout and parental work burnout. Children of parents experiencing burnout are more likely to experience school burnout, with shared experiences often occurring between adolescents and parents of the same gender.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalEuropean Journal of Developmental Psychology·DateJan 19, 2010

Rescuing male turkey chicks

A new technique using infrared spectroscopy can accurately determine the gender of six-week-old turkey poults with over 95% accuracy, potentially saving millions of male chicks from being killed shortly after birth. This method could be used by the breeding industry to identify female eggs for breeding and select female turkeys.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·DateNov 23, 2009

What's eating the breadwinners?

A new study explores the experiences of American female breadwinners, revealing common themes such as control, independence, and guilt. The research highlights the challenges faced by women in this role, including societal and personal expectations, and offers practical implications for organizations and families.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateNov 18, 2009

Gender-based pay gaps among US faculty

A new study published in Psychology of Women Quarterly found a significant gender-based pay gap among US faculty members, with women earning an average of 30% less than men. The study analyzed salaries at a large American university and controlled for factors such as education level, experience, and rank.

SourceWiley·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateNov 10, 2009

Preschoolers challenge stereotypical gender roles

Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that preschool children actively challenge and redefine traditional gender structures. Despite teachers' biases, children often share play and learning activities, show concern for each other's well-being, and reformulate possibilities through child-led initiatives.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalPedagogisk forskning i Sverige·DateNov 3, 2009

What you eat depends on with whom you eat

A study by McMaster University found that women tend to choose foods with lower calories when dining with a man compared to another woman, while dining with more men leads to even lower calorie choices. The research suggests that social grouping and perceived attractiveness play a role in food selection.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAppetite·DateAug 5, 2009

What about the boys?

A new study published in Springer's journal Gender Issues highlights the significant problems faced by American boys, including lower literacy levels, higher drop-out rates, and increased rates of mental health issues. The research suggests that policy makers have largely neglected these issues, focusing instead on those affecting girls.

SourceSpringer·JournalGender Issues·DateJun 8, 2009

Culture, not biology, underpins math gender gap

Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison report that culture, not biology, underpins the math gender gap. Girls are now performing on par with boys in standardized mathematics tests and taking calculus at the same rate. The study challenges the validity of the greater male variability hypothesis, suggesting that providing femal...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2009

Male or female? Coloring provides gender cues

A recent study published in the Journal of Vision found that subtle coloring patterns around the eyes and mouth play a crucial role in rapid gender discrimination. Researchers discovered that the shades of reds and greens in these areas lead to faster gender identification, contradicting previous assumptions about facial features.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Vision·DateMay 27, 2009

Parents' sexuality influences adoption choices

A study published in Springer's Sex Roles journal found that gay men are more likely to prefer adopting a boy, while heterosexual men are the least likely. Heterosexual couples tend to prefer girls over boys, with reasons varying by sexuality, including patriarchal norms and perceived socialization challenges.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateApr 2, 2009

His and hers: Study examines the role of gender in the stigma of mental illness

A national survey found that participants expressed more anger towards individuals with stereotypical mental health conditions, but showed more empathy when their symptoms deviated from expectations. This suggests that stigma-busting campaigns should consider the role of intersecting stereotypes in shaping mental illness stigma.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 3, 2009

Race and gender determine how politicians speak

Researchers found that politicians' speech patterns reveal a social hierarchy, with black race and female gender assigned subordinate roles, while white males dominate. This study highlights the reproduction of racism and sexism in political discourse, affecting how leaders are perceived.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Psycholinguistic Research·DateJan 13, 2009

Rheumatoid arthritis: Worse in women?

Research published in BioMed Central's Arthritis Research and Therapy found that women experience more severe symptoms, greater disability, and poorer treatment outcomes compared to men. The study of over 6,000 patients revealed a significant gender gap in disease activity measures, treatments, and clinical characteristics.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalArthritis Research & Therapy·DateJan 13, 2009

Men are red, women are green, Brown researcher finds

A Brown University researcher has discovered that men tend to have more reddish skin and greenish skin is more common for women. The finding has important implications in cognitive science research and potential industry applications in facial recognition technology and advertising.

SourceBrown University·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 8, 2008

Sexism pays: Study finds men who hold traditional views of women earn more than men who don't

A new study by Timothy Judge and Beth Livingston found that men who believe in traditional roles for women earn an average of $8,500 more annually. In contrast, women with egalitarian views don't make much more than those with traditional outlooks. The researchers controlled for various factors to reach this conclusion.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateSep 22, 2008