A conflicted world : examining the negotiation of contradicting egalitarian beliefs and traditional gender roles.

Abstract

This research seeks to understand the way contemporary highly educated women make sense of the seemingly contradicting beliefs about gender roles and gender equality as taught by education and often held by mainstream society, as opposed to the beliefs promoted by the Protestant Christian church. It seeks to examine what contemporary women define as “gender equality” as well to address the link between the gendered roles which one plays and the value one is given by others according to the role that one performs. Drawing on in-depth interview data, this research finds that these women believe that Protestant Christian beliefs are not necessarily antagonistic or incompatible with notions of “gender equality”. Consequently, most of these women do not seem to experience long-term conflict in their beliefs. This research will show the ways in which they negotiate and make sense of their circumstances.