Survey Summary says!
So the fascinating question is, are there almost three times as many women(19%) as men(7%) who agree that the gender stereotypes have some element of truth to them because the men are more afraid of being called sexist, or because I am much more likely to be friends with atypical men, or some other reason entirely? (note: I don’t think you’re sexist just because you agreed, we’re just talking about the perception here)
Fascinatingly, the smallest proportion of people taking my survey think they’re reasonably typical in the traits for their gender (at 14%), with almost 40% of people thinking they’re somewhat atypical, 22.8% thinking they’re moderately atypical or very atypical in a few traits, and 24.6% saying they don’t believe in gender traits as defined. The question there: Was it my definition, or were these people stepping forward with their own understanding of gender stereotypes? (Both are valid, I wasn’t clear.)
Approximately half the men who voted consider their weight, height and appearance to be a significant factor in how they behave toward women they don’t know (I didn’t ask whether a person thought they had significant weight/height/appearance) … and, as it turns out, half the women do, too.
16% of women in my poll don’t change their behavior when a strange guy exiting from the same place is behind them, and only one man and two women never think about getting assaulted, in such a circumstance. Nearly equal proportions sometimes consider it, but three times as many women are always on alert.
Out of the people who voted in my last question, 16% have been assaulted by a stranger. While that is still a large number of people, and it surged near the end there, I was still surprised at the low number.
Interesting. It was a good poll :-)
Interesting. It was a good poll :-)
Yay for fascinating surveys! I can attempt an answer to the first question…in my experience (which is useful, I think, only because I encountered no gender-opposition that I recall until I was in college, and have only recently begun to pay attention to feminist issues…I remember working as a mechanic in high school, wondering what all this crap about repressed women was about!) …anyway, in my experience, *women* are much more pervasive, and active, about throwing gender “roadblocks” and expectations at women than men are! I’m sure there’s many reasons for this and most of them are obvious with a little thinking (i.e. women are more deliberately trained to think that way), but it’s a statistic I’ve encountered before, in print and in real life. And it’s way weird. And neat to see it in your survey!
Yay for fascinating surveys! I can attempt an answer to the first question…in my experience (which is useful, I think, only because I encountered no gender-opposition that I recall until I was in college, and have only recently begun to pay attention to feminist issues…I remember working as a mechanic in high school, wondering what all this crap about repressed women was about!) …anyway, in my experience, *women* are much more pervasive, and active, about throwing gender “roadblocks” and expectations at women than men are! I’m sure there’s many reasons for this and most of them are obvious with a little thinking (i.e. women are more deliberately trained to think that way), but it’s a statistic I’ve encountered before, in print and in real life. And it’s way weird. And neat to see it in your survey!
I would posit (without attempting to be snarky about it, honest), that the large percentage of people out there who like to consider themselves “atypical” in terms of their adherence to various traits, may very well be the most typical of all, in believing so. :)
(For the record, I consider myself pretty typical as far as gender traits go)
I agree. I would think that whenever questions are asked that require some measure of self-evaluation, the results will tend to skew in favor of the “I am a unique and special snowflake” variety. Very few people really see themselves as stereotypically anything.
Well, I would say that based on my survey, that’s not entirely true – plenty of people consider themselves reasonably typically skilled for their gender.
Yes, but I see that at least partially as the other side of the self-evaluation coin. While most people believe themselves to be atypical of the usual stereotypes, when asked directly, they will at least hedge in favor of being “generally typical” while maintaining a certain level of uniqueness. The question of “what is typical?” is subjective enough that anyone can see almost anything in it.
Or maybe I’m just a cynic and people really do approach their answers with a lot more internal honesty than I give them credit for.
I’d say there’s nothing wrong with that kind of questioning – my survey is far from scientific in many ways, especially in language.
I laid out my own understanding of gender stereotypes from my own life in the preamble, but did not ask people to conform to them, just whether they thought they are more, less, or not like the stereotypes for their gender.
I think it’s important to note that I think many people consider those stereotypes to be fair assessments, and are happy to think of themselves as having the skills for their gender.
The main reason I expect my survey to be fairly accurate on that note is that my friends list is chock full of gay and bisexual people who are fairly used to questioning gender identity issues in their own personal life. I honestly expected an even more atypical response.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your survey or your questions. I found the whole thing really interesting, actually.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your survey or your questions. I found the whole thing really interesting, actually.
I’d say there’s nothing wrong with that kind of questioning – my survey is far from scientific in many ways, especially in language.
I laid out my own understanding of gender stereotypes from my own life in the preamble, but did not ask people to conform to them, just whether they thought they are more, less, or not like the stereotypes for their gender.
I think it’s important to note that I think many people consider those stereotypes to be fair assessments, and are happy to think of themselves as having the skills for their gender.
The main reason I expect my survey to be fairly accurate on that note is that my friends list is chock full of gay and bisexual people who are fairly used to questioning gender identity issues in their own personal life. I honestly expected an even more atypical response.
I think I’m mostly typical, but skew more masculine in my entertainment choices.
I think I’m mostly typical, but skew more masculine in my entertainment choices.
Yes, but I see that at least partially as the other side of the self-evaluation coin. While most people believe themselves to be atypical of the usual stereotypes, when asked directly, they will at least hedge in favor of being “generally typical” while maintaining a certain level of uniqueness. The question of “what is typical?” is subjective enough that anyone can see almost anything in it.
Or maybe I’m just a cynic and people really do approach their answers with a lot more internal honesty than I give them credit for.
Well, I would say that based on my survey, that’s not entirely true – plenty of people consider themselves reasonably typically skilled for their gender.
I agree. I would think that whenever questions are asked that require some measure of self-evaluation, the results will tend to skew in favor of the “I am a unique and special snowflake” variety. Very few people really see themselves as stereotypically anything.
*chuckle* I don’t think I would say that believing you don’t align with the stereotypes of your gender is particularly typical of either gender.
My personal experience in social situations with strangers is that people are constantly, constantly, constantly making reference to gender stereotypes as explanations for just about everything. It’s kinda creepy at times, actually, as if no one has any personal responsibility for their behavior as long as what they’re doing is explained by their gender.
*chuckle* I don’t think I would say that believing you don’t align with the stereotypes of your gender is particularly typical of either gender.
My personal experience in social situations with strangers is that people are constantly, constantly, constantly making reference to gender stereotypes as explanations for just about everything. It’s kinda creepy at times, actually, as if no one has any personal responsibility for their behavior as long as what they’re doing is explained by their gender.
I would posit (without attempting to be snarky about it, honest), that the large percentage of people out there who like to consider themselves “atypical” in terms of their adherence to various traits, may very well be the most typical of all, in believing so. :)
(For the record, I consider myself pretty typical as far as gender traits go)
That’s fascinating.
I haven’t been assaulted by a stranger. I do have a hilarious story about being pick-pocketed, though. Which doesn’t count as assault.
I’d love to hear it!
Standing in a crowded line at the movie theatre. I felt a hand in one pocket, and grabbed before the hand got into the other pocket. The kid (10 or 12 or so) pulled his hand away and ran. I never carried more than a bit of change in a pocket anyway. I’d stopped him before he’d gotten to the pocket that did have change. He had, however, cleaned out the contents of the other pocket.
Said pocket contained one used kleenex.
Standing in a crowded line at the movie theatre. I felt a hand in one pocket, and grabbed before the hand got into the other pocket. The kid (10 or 12 or so) pulled his hand away and ran. I never carried more than a bit of change in a pocket anyway. I’d stopped him before he’d gotten to the pocket that did have change. He had, however, cleaned out the contents of the other pocket.
Said pocket contained one used kleenex.
I’d love to hear it!
That’s fascinating.
I haven’t been assaulted by a stranger. I do have a hilarious story about being pick-pocketed, though. Which doesn’t count as assault.
I would guess the atypical skew has more to say about the kinds of people you befriend than that people think of themselves as being terribly unique.
There’s a very interesting essay here about sexism being equally as damaging to men as to women. It’s a well put piece. I recommend the whole sight, for political and feminist type stuff, but this piece is particularly relevant.
Personally, I said I don’t believe in gender traits as defined, but I may have been misunderstanding the question. I don’t believe that there are genetic gender traits, as such, except for a few neurological biases, about which I am unsure as to whether they develop genetically or environmentally, because I am not aware of those ‘bias’ tests being done on children. I do believe that there are socially imprinted gender traits, that are generally applicable thanks to culturally similar conditioning, via schools, television, etc. However, I also strongly believe those traits can be altered or ameliorated, to some extent, by aware parenting and being picky about schools and such.
I would guess the atypical skew has more to say about the kinds of people you befriend than that people think of themselves as being terribly unique.
There’s a very interesting essay here about sexism being equally as damaging to men as to women. It’s a well put piece. I recommend the whole sight, for political and feminist type stuff, but this piece is particularly relevant.
Personally, I said I don’t believe in gender traits as defined, but I may have been misunderstanding the question. I don’t believe that there are genetic gender traits, as such, except for a few neurological biases, about which I am unsure as to whether they develop genetically or environmentally, because I am not aware of those ‘bias’ tests being done on children. I do believe that there are socially imprinted gender traits, that are generally applicable thanks to culturally similar conditioning, via schools, television, etc. However, I also strongly believe those traits can be altered or ameliorated, to some extent, by aware parenting and being picky about schools and such.
You did not ask how many people had been assaulted by someone they knew and if that person was of the opposite gender. That can also be a contributing factor in perceptions. If someone you know or are close to assaults you, especially if it is someone you trust, chances are likely that trust issues will extend to people you have never met as well.
That is true, but I worried about confusing the issue. Also, things get much more complex – does childhood bullying count? And finally, I felt that was getting a little more personal than I felt I could ask for in a public poll.
I definitely agree with you – being assaulted by someone you trust would, I think, definitely make a person less likely to be carefree in any future situation. The question I asked, though, I thought was very directly applicable.
That is true, but I worried about confusing the issue. Also, things get much more complex – does childhood bullying count? And finally, I felt that was getting a little more personal than I felt I could ask for in a public poll.
I definitely agree with you – being assaulted by someone you trust would, I think, definitely make a person less likely to be carefree in any future situation. The question I asked, though, I thought was very directly applicable.
You did not ask how many people had been assaulted by someone they knew and if that person was of the opposite gender. That can also be a contributing factor in perceptions. If someone you know or are close to assaults you, especially if it is someone you trust, chances are likely that trust issues will extend to people you have never met as well.
I had to think a lot before I voted that I thought gender stereotypes had some element of truth – but yes, I do think that they do. I’m not able to say whether they’re societally enforced or genetic.
Of course, stereotypes often have some ring of truth to them. That’s how they exist, warped or not. People recognize them on some level.
I think that my choice of career, entertainment, and friends often places me out of the “girly” norm, but that I’m not a standout butch or anything. Usually. ;)
Nature vs Nurture, at it again, y’know?
Nature vs Nurture, at it again, y’know?
I had to think a lot before I voted that I thought gender stereotypes had some element of truth – but yes, I do think that they do. I’m not able to say whether they’re societally enforced or genetic.
Of course, stereotypes often have some ring of truth to them. That’s how they exist, warped or not. People recognize them on some level.
I think that my choice of career, entertainment, and friends often places me out of the “girly” norm, but that I’m not a standout butch or anything. Usually. ;)
Nuts. I shoulda taken that.
Nuts. I shoulda taken that.
1- Stereotypes. I often wonder whether people are just playing into stereotypes- consciously, because of social expectations- and also whether “practice makes perfect” in those situations. Say, for instance, that because I played the role of good little girl (consciously) at my grandparents, I got very good at cleaning & organizing- simply because I got practice at it. Now, I’m still good at it, and often I’ll take over that role just to help someone in need out or because it would be the quickest, most efficient thing to do.
2- What was your sample size? How many people does 16% represent?
The results are open, so you can check for yourself. The numbers have changed since I wrote this post, because additional people have taken the survey, but we are at 57 at this moment, if you go by the final question. I haven’t delved into it to figure out if there were people who didn’t answer the final question, though.
The results are open, so you can check for yourself. The numbers have changed since I wrote this post, because additional people have taken the survey, but we are at 57 at this moment, if you go by the final question. I haven’t delved into it to figure out if there were people who didn’t answer the final question, though.
1- Stereotypes. I often wonder whether people are just playing into stereotypes- consciously, because of social expectations- and also whether “practice makes perfect” in those situations. Say, for instance, that because I played the role of good little girl (consciously) at my grandparents, I got very good at cleaning & organizing- simply because I got practice at it. Now, I’m still good at it, and often I’ll take over that role just to help someone in need out or because it would be the quickest, most efficient thing to do.
2- What was your sample size? How many people does 16% represent?