On Norms and Agency

The Rules We Live By: Gender Norms and Ideal Images

Figure 1.4 Characteristics of a Bad Girl Does not help at home Promiscuous Does not study Stays out a lot Indecently dressed Disobedient Disrespectful Bad behavior 0

Share of total mentions, % According to boys

According to girls

Note: Data from 82 focus groups.

Figure 1.5 Characteristics of a Bad Boy Promiscuous Stays out a lot Disobedient Not religious Does not study Steals Bad behavior Disrespectful Aggressive behavior Bad habits 0

5 10 15 20 Share of total mentions, % According to girls

According to boys

Note: Data from 82 focus groups.

On Norms and Agency • http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-9862-3

On Norms and Agency

Published on Apr 15, 2013

World Bank Publications

About

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.

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