Abstract
This study examines the control exhibited by pathological women gamblers over their lives and their surroundings, and how
this is governed by their perception of their gender role and socio-cultural expectations of them as women. Seventeen pathological
women gamblers (13 of whom were mothers) were recruited from three addiction treatment centers in Israel, and participated
in semi-structured interviews. Three central themes emerged during analysis: maintaining control over the gender roles—putting
child raising and housekeeping duties first despite their gambling habits; control over the choice of gambling venue—gambling
far from their home, or where they knew the owners; and moral control—steering clear of immoral behaviors in spite of their
addiction to gambling. Further analysis reveals how pathological women gamblers who are also mothers make rational choices
that help them juggle between their gender roles and gambling, to minimize the social costs that might be incurred by their
gambling habit. Moreover, presenting the gambling behavior as more moral than theft or prostitution enabled them to normalize
their behavior. The study’s findings show how the decisions and choices made by the women in this study are shaped by the
socio-cultural context in which they are made.
this is governed by their perception of their gender role and socio-cultural expectations of them as women. Seventeen pathological
women gamblers (13 of whom were mothers) were recruited from three addiction treatment centers in Israel, and participated
in semi-structured interviews. Three central themes emerged during analysis: maintaining control over the gender roles—putting
child raising and housekeeping duties first despite their gambling habits; control over the choice of gambling venue—gambling
far from their home, or where they knew the owners; and moral control—steering clear of immoral behaviors in spite of their
addiction to gambling. Further analysis reveals how pathological women gamblers who are also mothers make rational choices
that help them juggle between their gender roles and gambling, to minimize the social costs that might be incurred by their
gambling habit. Moreover, presenting the gambling behavior as more moral than theft or prostitution enabled them to normalize
their behavior. The study’s findings show how the decisions and choices made by the women in this study are shaped by the
socio-cultural context in which they are made.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-0071-9
- Authors
- Belle Gavriel-Fried, The Bob Shapell Scholl of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978 Israel
- Mimi Ajzenstadt, The Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare and the Institute of Criminology, Faculty of Law, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025