Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
closed access
This thesis dives into the stories and lives of female low-caste garment workers in South India, uncovering their agency and strategies within the complex web of social norms and expectations. It's...Show moreThis thesis dives into the stories and lives of female low-caste garment workers in South India, uncovering their agency and strategies within the complex web of social norms and expectations. It's all about understanding how factors like caste, gender, and labor intertwine to shape their lives in the bustling world of textile factories. The journey starts by shining a light on the influence of big international brands on the factories' conditions and how the caste systems still affects people’s lives and opportunities. We dig into how traditional gender roles shape the lives of these female workers, dealing with both unequal power dynamics and family expectations. With the guiding question, "How exactly do female low-caste garment workers in South India show their power, and how do they tackle the challenges they face in their lives and jobs?" in mind, the research takes us through six chapters. The heart of the matter reveals that these workers, despite the odds, aren't just passive players. They've got agency and plans, like prioritizing their children’s education if their financial situation allows it in order to break free from the cycle of struggle. And then there's the central role of NGOs like READ, who give them skills and a voice to demand better conditions. Wrapping it all up, the conclusion shows strength doesn't always mean pushing back hard; it's often about finding ways to stand tall and find strategies when facing difficulties. All said and done, this research paints a vivid picture of these female workers' multi-faceted strengths, highlighting how they navigate their world with grit and grace, all while shaking up the social norms that surround them.Show less
Sibling aggression is a common phenomenon which can lead to negative outcomes on the development of children. Aggression between siblings can possibly be explained by the quality of the sibling...Show moreSibling aggression is a common phenomenon which can lead to negative outcomes on the development of children. Aggression between siblings can possibly be explained by the quality of the sibling relationship and gender. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether anger in response to a sibling, as an indicator of the quality of the sibling relationship, is related to sibling aggression and whether gender plays a moderating role. A sample of 18 sibling pairs (oldest sibling: aged 10 to 18 years, M = 14, SD = 1.9) participated. The aggression between siblings was measured with the sibling version of the Conflict Tactics Scale, CTS2-SP. To measure anger in response to provocative behavior of the sibling a Virtual Reality (VR) task was used. The provocative behavior was believed to be controlled by their sibling but was actually an avatar. The participants were also asked if they believed if their sibling controlled the avatar during the VR task. The scores of the oldest sibling of the pairs were included. The results showed that anger in response to the sibling was not related to sibling aggression and that participants showed equal aggression towards their sibling. Also, no gender differences were found between participants in the link between anger and aggression, so gender did not play a moderating role. It seems that gender differences in siblings play a smaller role than in boys and girls for showing aggression. The results suggest that aggression between siblings might be more normal and accepted than aggression between boys and girls and that siblings may be more used to each other compared to non-family related children. However, further research is needed, to understand the phenomenon of sibling aggression even better in order to prevent it, since the consequences of sibling aggression can be profoundly serious.Show less
Labeled Language analyses the use of language in the Mencius with the goal of finding out how gender differences feature in this Confucian text. It uses an innovative (original) methodology that...Show moreLabeled Language analyses the use of language in the Mencius with the goal of finding out how gender differences feature in this Confucian text. It uses an innovative (original) methodology that fuses text (data) mining and traditional close reading analysis, building from a gap in the academic literature on the topic of language and gender in the Mencius.Show less
This thesis is an examination of the character of wakashu as depicted in Ihara Saikaku's late 17th-century collection of short stories Nanshoku ōkagami. It looks at overall similarities between the...Show moreThis thesis is an examination of the character of wakashu as depicted in Ihara Saikaku's late 17th-century collection of short stories Nanshoku ōkagami. It looks at overall similarities between the stories and constructs a general view of this type of sexuality-wise intriguing youth as well as comparing it to the earlier medieval character of chigo.Show less
The discourse surrounding sex work in Amsterdam has evolved, reflecting shifting approaches by municipal authorities and stakeholders. Currently, a proposal for an "erotic center" seeks to relocate...Show moreThe discourse surrounding sex work in Amsterdam has evolved, reflecting shifting approaches by municipal authorities and stakeholders. Currently, a proposal for an "erotic center" seeks to relocate sex work from the Wallen district to address issues of over-tourism and congestion. However, this proposition has ignited controversy, as sex workers voice concerns about safety, social networks, and potential workspace loss. Researchers and activists advocate for recognizing sex work as tangible heritage to preserve its history and narratives. Despite initiatives of activists and advocates to document and safeguard the sector's history through the website www.sekswerkerfgoed.nl and the Prostitution Information Center, academic exploration of sex workers' experiences and sex work heritage in the Netherlands remains limited. Narratives from sex workers of color, migrant sex workers, and marginalized voices are often overlooked. Media portrayals often perpetuate stigmatization and negative stereotypes about sex work. The life stories of Nicolina Sant and Aaïcha Bergamin, two sex workers from the 20th century, offer valuable insights into Dutch sex work. Their narratives encompass diverse perspectives, encompassing ethnic backgrounds, cultural nuances, gender, and sexuality. Incorporating these stories enriches historical research on sex work, fostering a deeper comprehension of the industry and its intersections with urban life. Using the concept of urban citizenship, which emphasizes self-identity and recognition, challenges conventional notions tied to nationhood. Sex workers' claims to citizenship impact urban planning and city politics, influencing the socio-spatial fabric of the city, and reorienting research on sex workers to focus on agency rather than victimhood. Analyzing the stories of Aaïcha and Nicolina through this lens reflects on the idea of sex work as heritage while supplying an intersectional perspective to sex work history in the Netherlands.Show less
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder among adolescents. In SAD, gender differences are more prominent in adolescence (i.e. a higher prevalence amongst females). As...Show moreSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder among adolescents. In SAD, gender differences are more prominent in adolescence (i.e. a higher prevalence amongst females). As research on gender differences in SAD is scarce, it is still unknown why gender differences in SAD exist and why they are more prominent in adolescents. A factor contributing to the development of SAD is attachment, as it contributes to the way individuals explore a social life. Compared to securely attached adolescents, insecurely attached adolescents experience more difficulty dealing with social situations, placing them at risk for SAD signs. Moreover, an insecure attachment is more common in females than in males. Thus, adolescents' attachment might explain the gender differences in the prevalence of SAD. The current cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between gender and SAD signs, with attachment as a mediator. We also explored whether this differed between maternal and paternal attachment. It was expected that (1) gender would predict SAD signs; (2) attachment would predict SAD signs; and (3) attachment would mediate the relationship between gender and SAD signs (i.e. females would be more insecurely attached and would therefore show more SAD signs than males). In total, 116 adolescents aged 9-12 years completed the YAM-5 and IPPA-R to measure their SAD signs and attachment to their parents, respectively. Regression analyses yielded three main findings. First, contrary to our hypotheses, gender did not significantly predict SAD signs (B = .145; p = .126) and adolescents’ attachment to their parents. Second, consistent with our hypotheses, both maternal (B = -.314; p < .001) and paternal attachment (B = -.393; p < .001) significantly predicted SAD signs. Thus, adolescents’ attachment did not mediate the relationship between gender and SAD signs, but directly affected SAD signs. Attachment-based interventions are effective, but future research is needed to examine if these will also be effective for adolescents with SAD. Additionally, paternal attachment significantly predicted SAD signs. Most previous research, however, has solely focused on maternal attachment. This study, therefore, highlights the importance of more father representation in future research regarding attachment.Show less
Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
open access
Cassius Dio's 'Roman History' contains multiple colorful anecdotes concerning women with significant political power. Dio depicts powerful women in the act of mutilating corpses, cheating on their...Show moreCassius Dio's 'Roman History' contains multiple colorful anecdotes concerning women with significant political power. Dio depicts powerful women in the act of mutilating corpses, cheating on their husbands and pursuing money and power at all cost. The question I set out to answer in this thesis is: how does Dio characterize women close to the seat of Roman power? And, more precisely, what gender stereotypes does he deploy in depicting these women? The women on whom this thesis will focus are Messalina and Agrippina, who were both married to emperor Claudius at one point, as well as Fulvia, the wife of Mark of Antony. The characterization of women in Cassius Dio’s work and the part that gender norms play in Dio’s negative characterization of someone have received little scholarly attention so far. While Cassius Dio’s portrayals of Agrippina and Messalina have been compared to each other, Fulvia has not been compared to either of these women before, although there are grounds for doing so: both Agrippina and Fulvia are accused of defiling the heads of political opponents. Each chapter of this thesis is dedicated to one of these three women. The most important part of each chapter will consist of close readings of passages I have chosen to highlight because they contain Dio’s most preposterous claims about these women. Such close readings can highlight not just how ancient ideas of gender are expressed within a large narrative structure, but also how they are reflected on a small scale, such as the choice of vocabulary. We will see how Cassius Dio incorporates the previous historiographical tradition concerning these women in his own narrative, while also innovating this tradition by exaggerating certain claims and adding elements to his narrative that have no precedent in the extant literary tradition. Fulvia, Messalina and Agrippina are all portrayed as crossing the boundaries of their female gender because they were involved in politics to a degree that was not acceptable for a Roman matron. But whereas Agrippina and Fulvia are explicitly ‘masculinized’ and their political involvement is stressed, Cassius Dio’s Messalina appears as an apolitical woman in the grip of vices that were considered to be typically feminine.Show less
There is a general consensus in the academic and non-academic sphere that women should participate in health systems strengthening. Yet, implementable models that can facilitate this remain absent....Show moreThere is a general consensus in the academic and non-academic sphere that women should participate in health systems strengthening. Yet, implementable models that can facilitate this remain absent. Amidst attempts to open up International Relations (IR), intercultural health systems present compelling cases to examine what could impact women’s agency in health policymaking. This contrasts with approaches centered on theoretical human rights rhetoric. This thesis analyzes how the Holistic Care Model, developed by the dr. Denis Mukwege- and Panzi Foundation, impacts women’s participation in global health policymaking. An exploratory qualitative primary source analysis was conducted with postcolonial theory. The findings show that through developmental innovation and knowledge facilitation, the Holistic Care Model enhances the agency of women treated by it. The creation of agency has a multiplying effect: women actively tailor the model according to their health needs, which in turn makes them participants of the health system’s development. The evidence also highlights health systems’ relevance for postcolonial debates on international health governance. Though the research only analyzed one case, the findings provided an in-depth understanding of how a healthcare model can implement what theoretical formulations lack to execute. This makes the present singular case relevant for future innovations and shows that knowledge concerning health from the global South should be examined increasingly in IR and Women, Peace, and Security studies.Show less
Background: Organ transplantation recipients have been shown to struggle with medication adherence, which has severe consequences on their health. Research on medication non-adherence has...Show moreBackground: Organ transplantation recipients have been shown to struggle with medication adherence, which has severe consequences on their health. Research on medication non-adherence has demonstrated an inconsistent relationship between social integration and support (SIS) and adherence. Two theories can be used to explain a positive association between SIS and adherence. Firstly, according to the Self-Determination Theory, SIS can influence intrinsic motivation, further influencing adherence. Secondly, the Buffer Hypothesis states that high SIS can buffer the impact of negative life experiences that increase non-adherence. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the relationship between SIS and adherence is different for men and women. Aims: The current study studied the effect of SIS on adherence, hypothesizing that higher SIS would be related to adherence. The second hypothesis was that this effect would be stronger among men compared to women. Methods: To investigate the hypotheses in a cross-sectional study, transplant recipients completed questionnaires about their SIS (Health Education Impact Questionnaire) and medication adherence (Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication Scale). Recipients were recruited from seven transplant departments of five University Medical Centres. Analyses of the following associations were conducted using logistic regression: (1) SIS and medication adherence, (2) SIS and medication adherence with gender as a covariate. Results: Overall, 168 transplant recipients completed the questionnaires. The mean age was 53.87 (SD: 13.8), most participants were male (62.5%) and 17% of the patients were considered medication non-adherent. There was no significant association between SIS and adherence, (OR = 0.955, 95% CI [0.472 – 1.933). This effect was not significantly influenced by gender, (OR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.149 – 4.624]. Conclusion: No significant associations between SIS, gender and medication adherence were reported. A possible explanation for these findings is that other moderating and mediating factors exist and that the relationship between SIS and medication adherence is more complicated than this study was able to examine. Alternatively, the type of SIS studied was not specific enough to be associated with adherence. Future studies should investigate the factors that influence medication adherence and specify the type of SIS that is crucial for increasing medication adherence.Show less
This study had the objective to see the effect between the gender of a police officer and their likelihood to report on domestic violence. In order to answer the research question, “To what extent...Show moreThis study had the objective to see the effect between the gender of a police officer and their likelihood to report on domestic violence. In order to answer the research question, “To what extent does gender affect a police officer’s likelihood to file a report on domestic violence?”, an experimental survey was conducted, which was focussed on the likelihood to report as well as the credibility of the victim. It was expected that female police officers would be more likely to report alleged domestic violence if the victim was a woman and male police officers were expected to be more likely to report if the victim was male, due to their match of gender, which was based on the representative bureaucracy theory. For conclusion, it can be stated that this hypothesis (H1) is not true, as both genders tend to be more likely to report if the victim is a woman. Moreover, it was expected that female victims would be more credible to both male and female officers. When analysing the means of the outcomes, the second hypothesis (H2) seemed true. However, reliability has been a concern as the data is not statistically significant, meaning that for both statements, the null hypothesis cannot be rejected. This has occurred because of a Type II error, due to insufficient sampling. The ration men-women has not been executed well, resulting in to less male participants compared to female participants.Show less
