/library/oar/handle/123456789/24066 Sat, 27 Dec 2025 07:23:49 GMT 2025-12-27T07:23:49Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/140336 Title: Shifting expectations : the impact of evolving gender roles on young men in contemporary society Abstract: This dissertation explores how young Maltese men perceive and navigate shifting gender roles in contemporary Maltese society. Grounded in feminist standpoint theory and a social constructionist epistemology, the study aims to examine men’s attitudes toward evolving gender expectations, the psychological, social, and financial impacts they experience, and the coping strategies they employ in their daily lives. A qualitative methodology was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews with 17 men aged 18 to 35, recruited through gatekeepers and snowball sampling, to capture a diverse range of perspectives. Thematic analysis revealed several key patterns. While many participants supported gender equality in principle, traditional norms surrounding masculinity, such as emotional stoicism, financial responsibility, and reluctance to seek help, were perceived as mainstays in their perception of masculinity. Participants often expressed ongoing internal conflicts between embracing ‘modern’ values and adhering to traditional societal expectations of what a man should be like. Their vision of a man as being the main breadwinner emerged as a critical concern for many, as did uncertainty in the face of future roles, especially fatherhood. Mental health was also a prominent issue, with stigma and inadequate public services compounding the challenges these male participants face. The findings suggest that while attitudes are slowly evolving, cultural and institutional frameworks often lag behind, reinforcing outdated gender norms and mentalities. These results highlight the need for increased investment in mental health services and gender sensitive education that is currently relevant, as well as more inclusive support systems that validate men's experiences while promoting healthier, more flexible models of masculinity. Description: M. GSC(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/140336 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/138855 Title: Understanding attitudes towards non-Maltese live-in care workers in Malta Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to understand perceptions and attitudes of Maltese individuals towards non-Maltese live-in care workers, with a specific focus on the power dynamics involved in this relationship. This study also seeks to understand how these perceptions and attitudes in turn influence the inclusion of foreign live-in care workers in Malta. A qualitative approach was adopted, whereby data was collected through twelve semi structured interviews which were carried out with Maltese nationals who required the services of a paid non-Maltese live-in care worker for a family member in the past four years. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, through which key themes emerging from participants’ responses were identified and interpreted. This study adopted a feminist epistemology, drawing on Black Feminist thought, which acknowledges that social positions are rarely absolute, as individuals may simultaneously experience both privilege and disadvantage through intersecting systems of oppression. This study highlights how certain stereotypes around live-in care work are prevalent in Malta, particularly the gender and racial connotations related to paid care work. This study also reveals the difficulties Maltese nationals experience when recruiting live-in carers. This study also sheds light on the significant level of trust required when entrusting family members to the care of strangers. The participants also pointed out that they shared common cultural elements with the foreign live-in carers, and although initially the cultural differences were more notable, with time, they were more likely to focus on those that they shared. This helped influence the quality of their relationship. This study delineates the power dynamics inherent in the live-in care relationship in Malta and reveals the interdependent nature of this relationship between Maltese employers and their family’s live-in carers. While employers hold power at the macro-level as citizens, livein carers hold powerful positions at the micro-level in domestic spaces, particularly due to the intimate and emotional nature of the labour involved in care work. This study has identified how the dependence on foreign care fosters sustained interpersonal contact with migrant workers, which gradually improved perceptions and attitudes towards migrant workers in Malta. Therefore, this study concludes that the interdependent nature of this relationship contributes to the integration of migrant workers in Maltese society, as with time these ‘barranin’ (outsiders) become insiders via caring. Description: M. GSC(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/138855 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/138853 Title: A feminist critical discourse analysis of misogynist comments in Maltese media Abstract: This research sought to determine the prevalent themes in comments underneath five Maltese news portals and their respective Facebook pages in relation to women’s issues, such as abortion and gender-based violence (GBV), and whether these comments perpetuated gender stereotypes and inequality. This dissertation analyses how discourses can extend beyond verbal expressions, as they possess the capacity to produce tangible online and offline effects. Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA) and Judith Butler’s (1990) postmodern approach to feminist theory are applied in this study. There were two phases of data analysis, which were Thematic Analysis and FCDA. The six main themes identified were: ‘The Unborn’, ‘Responsibility and victimhood’, ‘Gender and migrants’, ‘Religious discourse’, ‘Ideology’, and ‘Pro-choice / feminist discourses’. The first theme revolves around pro-life discourses, focusing on language about the unborn, their rights, and scientific arguments presented by pro-life contenders. The second theme reflects discourses blaming women, portraying them as manipulative, framing men as victims, and criticising Malta’s legal system. The third theme describes fears of Maltese population replacement by non-Europeans, and perceptions of foreigners through a gendered lens. The fourth theme outlines religious discourses on abortion, the link between faith and social issues, and abuse by religious figures. The fifth theme presents the perceptions of feminism and left-leaning politics labeled as “woke”, critiques local and European Union (EU) politicians, as well as comparisons to conspiracy theories. The sixth theme delineates support for pro-choice beliefs and women’s autonomy in a misogynistic and paternalistic society. The themes indicate that the political and religious spheres continue to exert great influence over societal attitudes toward gender-related issues. This is done through persistent gender inequalities and stereotypes in Malta, highlighting women’s constrained bodily autonomy, societal attitudes towards femininity and motherhood, claims of institutional bias that favours women, as well as attacks on advocates for abortion rights. This dissertation provides recommendations for policies and practice related to these findings, such as recommendations for policymakers, educators, and enforcement systems. Description: M. GSC(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/138853 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/138849 Title: Balancing dreams and duties : a qualitative exploration of opportunities and challenges for mothers returning to education in Malta Abstract: This thesis, "Balancing Dreams and Duties: A Qualitative Exploration of Opportunities and Challenges for Mothers Returning to Education in Malta," explores the complex and often conflicting realities faced by Maltese mothers who re-enter formal education while simultaneously fulfilling caregiving roles. Framed within a social constructionist ontology and grounded in feminist epistemology, the study adopts a phenomenological qualitative approach to examine how gendered social expectations, institutional frameworks, and personal ambitions shape these women’s educational journeys. The research involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews with nine mothers who were either currently enrolled in or had recently completed formal education. They were selected through purposive and snowball sampling to ensure the richness and relevance of their experiences. The interviews were conducted face-to-face, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Ethical principles, including informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw, were strictly upheld, ensuring participant autonomy and integrity throughout the research process. Findings illuminate a dual narrative. On one hand, education emerges as a transformative tool, opening pathways to self-fulfilment, identity reconstruction, and socio-economic mobility. Participants described their return to education as a reclamation of personal agency after years of prioritizing others. On the other hand, they reported numerous structural and emotional barriers: acute time poverty, financial insecurity, inadequate childcare options, and inflexible academic systems that are slow to accommodate the needs of caregiving students. These tensions were often intensified by internalized societal pressures to embody the "ideal mother" while striving for academic achievement. Despite these challenges, the study also highlights strong sources of resilience. Many participants relied on supportive partners, extended family, peer networks, and empathetic educators. Intrinsic motivation—rooted in a desire for self-improvement, role modelling for their children, and long-term career goals—played a central role in sustaining their efforts. Importantly, the presence of adaptive institutional practices, such as hybrid learning options or understanding lecturers, significantly enhanced women’s ability to persist and succeed. The themes emerging from the data underscore a broader systemic disconnect between educational structures and the realities faced by caregiving students. The research emphasizes that while these mothers navigate an uphill battle, their stories are not solely defined by struggle; they also reflect strength, agency, and a redefinition of motherhood through the lens of education. Based on these insights, the thesis presents a set of practical, context-specific recommendations. These include expanding access to affordable childcare, implementing flexible learning pathways, offering targeted financial assistance, and fostering inclusive academic cultures that recognize caregiving as a legitimate and valuable perspective within educational spaces. This study contributes to feminist research by highlighting the voices of a demographic often overlooked in educational discourse. It also offers actionable insights for policymakers, academic institutions, and support services aiming for more equitable access to lifelong learning for mothers in Malta and similar contexts. Description: M. GSC(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/138849 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z