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Ahmed Khubaib Humayun

22-10058

Department of Psychology, Forman Christian College University, Lahore

PSYC 375 A: Psychology of Gender

Submitted to: Dr. Sarah Shahed

Article Critique

Spring 2022

Marks: 10

Due date: Monday, 23rd May 2022

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Q1. The study “The Burden of Being a Man in a Patriarchal Society” aimed to investigate the
issue of gender role strain among Pakistani men. it also talks about the influence these gender
roles have on their physical, psychological health and overall wellbeing. The stereotype strain
and the relationship it has with the persons demographic variables are also looked upon. The
study also focuses on the manifestations and indicators to distinguish these roles.
The study was conducted using a survey method, the sample was 100 working men from various
workplaces of Lahore, Pakistan. The age group of the sample was from 25-44 years of age. Each
category of profession had 20 men drawn for the sampling, the category includes; police,
marketing, banking, teaching, and office assistant. This is a purposive sample. The instruments
used in the study were Gender Role Strain Questionnaire (self- constructed) and Warwich
Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale.
The findings of the study confirmed that there are actually gender role strains which exists
among the working men and due to these strains there are found to be many physical, emotional
and psychological symptoms that occur. Men are normed to be the head of family which makes
them the sole provider for the family. These paramount roles cause extreme among Pakistani
men.
There were stereotypes found among men which include physical strength to be the prime
masculine stereotype. This study also revealed the average well-being score of men. Significant
differences were found in the role strain among men with different age, income and educational
levels.
Q2. Pakistani men are facing extreme gender role strain as the decision makers and breadwinners
of their families. The analysis of the data suggests that aggressiveness and violence are not
inherent in men but are the symptoms of gender role strain. There is a significant difference in
gender role strain experienced by Pakistani men within various age groups. There is a significant
difference in overall severity of symptoms of role strain within different professions. There is a
significant difference in expected gender roles experienced by Pakistani men within different
educational levels. There is a significant difference in well-being of men with various
professions and family structures.
Q3. 1. The findings makes us understand that firstly, aggression or violent behavior is not
inherent, rather is a result of gender role strain they experience. For example, women are never
seen as the Head of a family, in fact it is a male who has to bare all the responsibility, has to deal
with people in the office setting, has to deal with financial problems etc. and this pressure leads
them to become aggressive when they are not able to handle the things properly.
2. A common man is not able to fulfil all the desires and needs of his family. He feels that as a
head of the family, only he is responsible for them. This again creates a clash between both the
partners as the female counterpart is not able to understand the financial problems his man is
facing and how difficult it is for him to deal with all the expenses.
3. The stereotype that men should be strong, and therefore should not be expressive is again
another reason for creating chaos in the society. When the man doesn't share his problems with
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his female counterpart, there is less understanding between them. The wife doesn't know what
he's facing, doesn't know the reason he is being cranky or aggressive and all of this results in
family clashes or even divorce.
4. Lastly, through these findings we become aware of the fact that there is very little
understanding between both the genders. Every gender has its own problems which are not
understood by the other and this is creating a chaos in the society. So, there should be some work
done on increasing the understanding between both.