Mental Disorders: Gender Stereotypes

Mental illness is defined as any of various disorders in which a person’s thoughts, emotions or behavior is so abnormal that it may cause bodily harm not just to themselves but also to other people (Stuart, 2013). Consequently, people suffering from mental disorders are viewed as outcasts and are deemed unfit by society. According to Robbins, Cummings, McGarry & Larkin (2014), Culture is defined as “ the system of meanings about the nature of experience that is shared by people and passed on from one generation to another, including the meanings that people give to things, events, activities and people” (p.6). Gender is also an important factor to consider as we create gender roles therefore as humans we establish what is appropriate for those …show more content…
However, the methods you choose can create some challenges during the study. For instance being an active participant during the study can sometimes be problematic, Bernard (1995) states that informants can alter their behavior around the researcher because they know that they are being studied (p.136). As an ethnographer time is very important when conducting research as I mentioned previously my findings will be constructed over a month but as Bernard (1995) states most anthropological research is done over a year (p.139). Due to the time restriction it was not possible to follow up with the subjects after the study was completed. With respect to interviews the Bengali Muslims face many cultural barriers especially a language barrier, as they speak ‘Bangla’ their native tongue (Ahmed & Lemkau, 2000, p.95). According to Bernard (1995) researchers strive to create open dialogue with their informant (p.139). However, their dialect can pose as a real problem as people are restricted within their own cultural roles as it seen with the Bengali Muslims. In addition, questionnaires may cause answers with a lack of background or thought, subjects cannot elaborate or further explain their answers (Bernard, 1995, p.140). As a result, there can be many problems associated with the methods that anthropologists use to examine their findings. For the purpose of my research, how I would minimize these problems would be to make sure that at the beginning of conducting the study the participants are aware of the procedures. Therefore, they know what is being asked of them, as a lack of education becomes a potential problem particularly with the Bengali Muslims and an interpreter might become necessary. With respect to asking questions to the participants as an ethnographer I will repeat the question therefore the women are able to comprehend what is being asked of