Making sense of traditional gender stereotypes in Malta in view of the Mediterranean culture

Abstract

Stereotypes exist within all societies all over the world. Stereotypes can be attributed to various aspects, one of which is gender. When discussing gender stereotypes, it is also important to consider the society in which such stereotypes exist, in view that gender stereotypes are highly impacted by society. The Mediterranean region is considered to have relatively conservative stereotypes when compared to other European regions. It is not the scope to generalise the entire Mediterranean region as this area consists of a collection of states with different cultures which are independent of each other. Moreover, even within one state, it cannot be assumed that there is a homogenous culture. In this dissertation, a study was conducted on some Mediterranean gender stereotypes and the relevance of these stereotypes in the lives of thirteen Maltese women who participated in the research. In an attempt to make sense of gender stereotypes in the Mediterranean region, three main aspects of lived experiences are discussed: the family, education and work. Additionally, focusing on Malta shifts in gender stereotypes, the last two generations were analysed. Thus, a comparison is made, based on narratives of participants, on the expectations and limitations of two generations of women.