Homogamy preferences for cognitive sex-typicality in women

Homogamy has been suggested as crucial for human mate preferences and mate choice. People are attracted to and choose romantic partners that are similar to them in socio-demographic, physical, and psychological traits. However, only a few studies have shown homogamy in preferences for evolved sex-typical traits. Here, we have investigated male and female preferences for the level of cognitive masculinity-femininity (MF). We tested whether self-reported MF positively correlates with preferences for MF. One hundred men and one hundred women from Brazil filled in questionnaires on their own level of cognitive MF and preferred level of cognitive MF in their ideal partner. Half of the respondents were asked to indicate their preferences for long-term, and the other half for short-term relationships. We found a positive correlation between self-ascribed and preferred level of cognitive MF in women (P = 0.002), but no significant correlation in men (P = 0.309). There was no significant effect of the temporal context of the relationship, but there was a positive correlation between self-ascribed and preferred level of cognitive MF only in women answering about long-term partner. By subtracting the preferred from the selfascribed level of cognitive MF, we created a self-similarity index. We found that women desire potential mates more self-similar and more masculine than men (P < 0.001) and that in men there is greater variation in the self-similarity index than in women. Our results thus add to previous evidence on the role of homogamy in human mating, by showing preferences for self-similarity also in cognitive MF for women, especially for long-term partner preferences. Future studies should cross-culturally test whether the higher self-similar preference found in women is universal.

Corpo e identidades femininas: a intermediação das mídia

This article intends to contribute to a reflection about the relationship between the body, media and femininities, thus seeking to indicate some elements in order to clarify how the media currently interferes in this relationship, especially for the construction of female identity with the presentation of styles of femininity that are part of a particular body standard. In order to do so, we present a brief bibliographical debate on media issues, identity, discourse and power, electing as empirical choices examples of print media aimed at the female segment in Brazil and Barbie dolls.

O gênero nas ciências da saúde: produção e reprodução de concepções sobre a diferença entre homens e mulheres

The historical and social process has built models of masculinity and femininity that culminate in standards and norms to be followed by individuals in their social interactions. In recent decades studies based on the discussions that originated in the feminist movement have been investigating how social institutions, including medicine and other health sciences, have established standards of masculinity and femininity throughout the history, nurturing this sexist discourse on common sense and sciences. Social roles are assigned to the genera specifying rigid boundaries of behavior and social control. The notion of the female predisposition to physical and emotional disorders has prompted speculation within academic strands culminating in the creation of specialized medical illness that would prevent the female, the male permeated by notions of endurance and strength has become synonymous of a healthy body, confirming the male domination and the economic and political role of men. This research concerned to study and investigate through semi-structured interviews and content analysis, conceptions of gender and the differences between men and women in reports of 11 health professionals. The results indicate that in large part the conceptions of health professionals reproduce the hegemonic discourse about what being a man and woman. Further research could investigate the relationship between women and men with health care as well the care provided by health professionals

Padrões normativos de gênero em livros infanto-juvenis sobre educação sexual

The concept of gender is relational and refers to the the overcoming of the biological determinism, it has historical and cultural roots going beyond the anatomical differences between men and women. This documental research investigated patterns of sexuality and gender in sexual education books for children and teenagers. Ten books were analyzed, selected in bookstores websites. The content of the books and their illustrations show: 1) stereotypical and naturalized view of femininity and masculinity, 2) patterns of traditional and patriarchal families, 3) romanticized concept of marriage and reproduction, 4) stereotypes of beauty and "normal" body. It is concluded that sexual education books for children and teenagers reproduce normative standards that can stimulate a sexist education and should not be used in works of sexual education without critical reflection.

Territórios marginais dos desejos: dissidências, resistências e prostituição feminina

In this research, we discuss important aspects related to the scope of the adult female prostitution in a municipality located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. We rely on the theoretical contributions provided by the Cultural Studies, the Queer Theory and other aspects referenced by gender studies, by sexualities and other subjective processes, in parallel with the analysis of the reported life stories of two women linked to the context of commercial sexual practice in the studied city. From the presented informations, we observed multiple stories of women in the process of resistance to some standards of femininity, and come to the conclusion that the economic factor is not always preponderant for the entry/residence in female commercial sex practice, especially today, when relationships tend be established by the confluence of multiple interests.

Territórios, gerações & cultura: (des)continuidades das expressões de gênero entre lésbicas

Our propose in this article is to articulate the ways how women that call themselves lesbians, live and consider the masculinities and the femininities. The discourses were obtained through semi-structured interviews with ten women from different ages, who live in different towns in São Paulo and Paraná states. Theoretical references were sought in poststruturalists authors who approach the social construction of gender and sexes as category analysis, necessary for the reflection of the subjectivity processes that are permeated by materiality and transitoriness that are inherent to social, historical, cultural, political and territorial contexts.

Identidades em movimento: a representação feminina e as relações de gênero na obra de Angela Carter

Pós-graduação em Letras - FCLAS

Noção de feminilidade em Melanie Klein: subjetivações para além de um registro fálico

Pós-graduação em Psicologia - FCLAS

Dança do ventre e feminilidade: análise dos relatos de praticantes

Pós-graduação em Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e Aprendizagem - FC

Rap florido: reconhecimento artístico, amor e relações de gênero

Pós-graduação em Ciências Sociais - FFC