Gender roles in Spanish cinema: a critical and creative process around the word ‘woman’

Franco's dictatorship (1939-1974) significantly impacted Spanish women, limiting their rights and confining them to domestic roles. However, from the 1960s onward, increasing numbers of women entered higher education and the workforce, leading to social tensions and demands for equality. The legal ban on sex-based discrimination in the Spanish Constitution marked progress, but women continued to face challenges in balancing work and family life. The fourth wave of feminism brought a new perspective, focusing on women's needs and advocating for work-life balance and career advancement. This evolution resulted in the coexistence of generations with differing and sometimes opposing gender stereotypes, creating misunderstandings and hindering solidarity. The "Women in the Spotlight" project, within the framework of the Master in Artistic Education, aimed to bridge this intergenerational gap using film and focus groups to facilitate feminist reflection and cognitive change.

The theoretical framework of the "Women in the Spotlight" project is grounded in the methodology of social work with groups, aiming to raise awareness and facilitate cognitive change among participants. The study draws upon Paulo Freire's conscientisation model, utilizing cinema as a mediating tool to analyze the evolution of female gender roles and generate dialogue. Existing research highlights the rapid evolution of gender expectations in Spanish society, resulting in an intergenerational clash and the persistence of sexist stereotypes. The chosen methodology is appropriate for prompting reflection and fostering attitudinal change, recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary awareness-raising projects in driving social change.

This qualitative study employed a mixed research design using film forums and discussion groups to explore the impact of gender expectations on women's lives. Seventy-five women from three generations (under 35, 35-59, and over 60) participated. Three films were selected to represent different eras and challenges: *The Red Cross Girls* (1958), *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* (1988), and *My Life Without You* (2003). These films were chosen because they present women as central characters facing unique challenges in different decades, spanning the experiences of the participating generations. Data was collected using 21 focus groups (3-5 women each) and interviews with the 21 group coordinators. Content analysis was used to analyze the data obtained from the focus groups and interviews. A protocol of good practices was adopted, ensuring informed consent and confidential treatment of data. The study explored two key dimensions: the social construction of gender and evaluation of the project's effectiveness. Specific objectives were defined within these dimensions, focusing on identifying variables influencing gender from a generational perspective, analyzing the influence of birth place and time, generating cognitive change, and evaluating the suitability of the film proposal and discussion groups as research tools. Film was selected as a mediating technique due to its ability to capture dominant stereotypes and evoke empathetic responses. Focus groups facilitated the reconstruction of social meaning through group interaction, while interviews provided individual perspectives on the effectiveness of the film forum. The data analysis involved content analysis, coding, and categorizing the information based on predefined units of analysis and measurement.

The analysis revealed significant intergenerational differences in understanding and experiencing gender. Older women (born before 1962) rarely questioned the meaning of "woman" and viewed motherhood as their primary role. Their experiences were heavily shaped by the Franco dictatorship, influencing their views on marriage, family, and social expectations. Middle-aged women (born 1963-1986) emphasized the difficulties of balancing work and family life and their struggles against the "glass ceiling." They highlighted the lack of support systems and the personal sacrifices made to pursue both career and family. Younger women (born 1987-2002) demonstrated a strong influence of feminism, questioning traditional gender roles and advocating for self-care and personal fulfillment. They expressed a greater awareness of gender as a social construct and displayed more openness towards diverse expressions of sexuality and gender identity. Significant differences emerged regarding views on motherhood, sexual orientation, and transgender identities. Older women emphasized motherhood's importance, while younger women saw it as a choice. Similarly, attitudes towards sexual orientation and transgender individuals varied significantly across generations, with younger women demonstrating greater acceptance. While all generations recognized the burden of reconciling work and family responsibilities, the nature of the burden and the perception of the necessity of balancing those roles, differed significantly between generations. The analysis of the films revealed how each generation related to the different films differently, highlighting the impact of time and cultural context on their perspectives. The coordinators of the focus groups found that the film screenings facilitated the analysis of gender roles across time. The intergenerational dialogue and sharing of experiences promoted empathy and a sense of sisterhood among the participants. The use of discussion groups facilitated critical analysis, helping participants question gender stereotypes and their influence on their own lives and identities.

The findings of this study demonstrate the significant impact of feminist thought on Spanish women's lives across generations, although the impact varied significantly depending on the historical and socio-cultural context. The intergenerational dialogue facilitated by the use of film and focus groups allowed for a shared understanding of the different challenges faced by women across generations and highlighted the commonalities and differences in their experiences. While the study's design didn't allow for causal inference, it illustrated the evolution of feminism itself, moving from awareness of equality and difference to the fourth wave's focus on deconstructing gender itself. The study showcased the successful application of social work methods, using art and film as tools for intergenerational dialogue, leading to increased empathy and a deeper understanding of the different ways in which women have experienced gender roles and expectations. This approach fostered a more collaborative and inclusive environment.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using film and intergenerational focus groups to facilitate dialogue and critical reflection on the evolution of gender roles and expectations in Spanish society. The findings highlight the impact of feminism across generations, revealing both common experiences and significant differences. The methodology proved valuable in promoting empathy and understanding between generations, fostering a sense of sisterhood. Future research could explore similar intergenerational projects in other cultural contexts, investigating the influence of different media and methodologies in driving social change. Further investigation of the long-term impact of such intergenerational dialogues on participants' attitudes and behaviors is needed.

This study is limited to the perspectives of 75 women who participated in the project. The data collection process was conducted by project coordinators, which might introduce bias. While the findings were reviewed by an external research group, the fact that they belonged to the same university could limit the independence of the judgment. The findings are specific to the Spanish context and might not be generalizable to other cultures.