Role identities versus social identities: Masculinity, femininity, instrumentality and communality

Abstract

Three studies were designed to prove that while instrumentality and communality are mainly dimensions related to role identities, and thus determined by occupational status, masculinity and femininity are social identities linked to gender. Some ideas are put forward as to the reasons that have led historically to the overlapping of role and gender identities. The studies showed that people differentiate communality/instrumentality and masculinity/ femininity, perceiving the former as linked to professional status and the latter to gender membership. Finally, current representations of masculinity and femininity are explored.

Male and Female Emirati Medical Clerks’ Perceptions of the Impact of Gender and Mobility on Their Professional Careers

“…According to Echabe (2010), women in such societies are often relegated to jobs that display supportive behaviors, such as empathy, tenderness and understanding while men are appointed to high status positions involving decision-making, ambition, aggressiveness and assertiveness. Although Islam regards a woman's role in society as a wife and mother, she is, however, not forbidden to work provided there is a societal need and in positions which 'fit her nature'.…”

“…While such groupings are most commonly structured along sex, class, ethnic, racial or religious lines, with dominance of one group over another often along these same structures (Sidianus et al 2000Levin 2004;Zakrisson 2008), 'gender' is the focus of this study. The social dominance orientation that arises from groupings is a key element of social dominance theory, reflecting a preference for hierarchical group relations in which one group has dominance over another (Pratto et al 1994;Sidianus and Pratto 1999;Echabe 2010). Social dominance of males over females along gender lines appears to be relatively invariant across cultural, situational and contextual boundaries, including the Middle East (Levin 2004;Sidianus et al 2000;Pratto et al 2006;Zakrisson 2008), with exceptions perhaps in situations where women outnumber men (Zakrisson 2008).…”

The dual roles for accountants in sustaining rural communities

“…accountant): the social context in which the person is located assists in creating expectations regarding behaviours of people in the roles (Biddle, 1986;Echabe, 2010;Senatra, 1980;Zurcher, 1983). "Role theory" explores patterns in people's behaviour (Biddle, 1986).…”

More than ‘information provider’ and ‘counselor’: Constructing and negotiating roles and identities of nurses in genetic counseling sessions

“…Further insights into the complexities of roles and identities can be gained from identity theory which is ‘principally a micro‐sociological theory that sets out to explain individuals’ role‐related behaviors’ (Hogg, Terry and White : 255), and which conceptualizes roles as ‘a set of expectations prescribing behavior that is considered appropriate by others’ (Simon 1992, as cited in Hogg, Terry and White : 257; see also Echabe : 30). Identities, on the other hand, are understood as the ‘meanings one attributes to oneself in a role (and others attribute to one)’ (Burke and Reitzes : 84).…”