It’s a Man’s, and a Woman’s, World

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Pandemic's Lasting Impact on Mothering and Employment

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on June 23, 2021

COVID-19 drove a decrease in mothers' paid work hours, in gender parity in parenting, and in fertility. These changes may shape a generation.

COVID-19 drove a decrease in mothers' paid work hours, in gender parity in parenting, and in fertility. These changes may shape a generation.

Parenting

The Risky Business of Parenting

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on January 11, 2019

What is the line between a reasonable parenting decision and one that carries unacceptable risk? The difference may depend on the parent's gender and observers’ moral evaluations.

What is the line between a reasonable parenting decision and one that carries unacceptable risk? The difference may depend on the parent's gender and observers’ moral evaluations.

Marriage

Should Women Still Change Their Name When They Marry?

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on September 6, 2018

Most women take their husband’s surname. How did this tradition evolve? Why has it proven so durable? And what are the consequences of bucking it?

Most women take their husband’s surname. How did this tradition evolve? Why has it proven so durable? And what are the consequences of bucking it?

Trauma

Zero-Compassion Policy and Parent-Child Separation

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on June 19, 2018

Separation from parents inflicts lasting trauma and catastrophic neurological damage, increasing psychological disorders in adulthood. Why are we doing this?

Separation from parents inflicts lasting trauma and catastrophic neurological damage, increasing psychological disorders in adulthood. Why are we doing this?

Academia is a notoriously accepting of eccentric and informal attire—for men. Why are female faculty members held to a higher standard?

Much U.S. policy facilitates breast milk pumping instead of enabling breastfeeding directly. Redefining breastfeeding affects mothers and potentially the benefits of breastfeeding.

Many couples expect a new child to strengthen their union, but distress first-born children. Research suggests that these expectations are unfounded.

Marriage

Choosing Children’s Surnames

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on June 13, 2017

Conventionally, women take their husband’s surname, as do any children. But as married women increasingly retain their birth surnames, how do couples decide on children’s surnames?

Conventionally, women take their husband’s surname, as do any children. But as married women increasingly retain their birth surnames, how do couples decide on children’s surnames?

Silencing Warren reflected sexism still pervasive in American politics.

Discourses of childbirth are charged and contentious, ranging from "natural" to "medicalized." But what is an "ideal" birth and who has the moral authority to define it?

Many male Republicans predicate their opposition to Trump's remarks about assaulting women on their role of fathers to daughters. Should it take a daughter to condemn assault?

The debate over transgender rights is becoming as contentious as the debate over marriage equality. But why is it that this issue, like same-sex marriage, has created such a furor?

The Supreme Court may decide the debate over transgender bathroom laws. Let’s hope they use common sense.

Psychology

The Psychology of Mansplaining

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on March 31, 2016

Mansplaining has become a cultural trope, along with other male-bashing portmanteaus. But what exactly is mansplaining and why has it captured the popular imagination?

Mansplaining has become a cultural trope, along with other male-bashing portmanteaus. But what exactly is mansplaining and why has it captured the popular imagination?

Infidelity

The Real Reasons Why People Cheat

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on March 20, 2016

Despite strong consensus that infidelity is wrong, as many as 10-25% of married couples in the US experience sexual infidelity. Why is infidelity so common? Can it be prevented?

Despite strong consensus that infidelity is wrong, as many as 10-25% of married couples in the US experience sexual infidelity. Why is infidelity so common? Can it be prevented?

Gender

Should Men Wear Engagement Rings?

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on December 21, 2015

As many as 5% of grooms-to-be are proudly sporting mangagement rings (male engagement rings). Why has this trend taken off and what does it promise for gender and sexual equality?

As many as 5% of grooms-to-be are proudly sporting mangagement rings (male engagement rings). Why has this trend taken off and what does it promise for gender and sexual equality?

Gender

What It Means to Eat 'Like a Man' (or Woman)

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on December 4, 2015

Foods are gendered—meat is associated with virile masculinity and “light” foods are evoke delicate femininity—and are a means gender performance and others’ gendered evaluation.

Foods are gendered—meat is associated with virile masculinity and “light” foods are evoke delicate femininity—and are a means gender performance and others’ gendered evaluation.

The wedding industry promotes lavish, dream weddings as the basis for happy, lasting marriages. Yet, net of income and a score of other personal characteristics, economists link expensive weddings to shorter marriages. But do wedding expenses really cause couples to break up? If so, why?

Gender

Why Some Welcome Unisex Bathrooms, and Some Steer Clear

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on September 17, 2015

Why are women more comfortable than men when sharing multi-user unisex bathrooms? Although still influenced by Victorian-era paternalism toward women, the gendered dynamics behind men's discomfort primarily reflect their fears and insecurities in all-male public restrooms. Does man's de facto exclusion undermine the inclusive intention of multi-user unisex bathrooms?

Why are women more comfortable than men when sharing multi-user unisex bathrooms? Although still influenced by Victorian-era paternalism toward women, the gendered dynamics behind men's discomfort primarily reflect their fears and insecurities in all-male public restrooms. Does man's de facto exclusion undermine the inclusive intention of multi-user unisex bathrooms?

Gender

Does Becoming a Dad Make Men More Sexist or Progressive?

Elizabeth Aura McClintock Ph.D. on June 13, 2015

When asked to select from a list of ten items the two or three traits that they most valued—including different ranking of intelligence, attractiveness, sweetness, independence, and strength—men report different priorities for wives as for daughters. What does this tell us about men’s relationships to women and their attitudes regarding gender equality?

When asked to select from a list of ten items the two or three traits that they most valued—including different ranking of intelligence, attractiveness, sweetness, independence, and strength—men report different priorities for wives as for daughters. What does this tell us about men’s relationships to women and their attitudes regarding gender equality?