Gender studies

Pathology

Sociology

Archaeology

Neuroscience

Qualitative research

Perception

Disease

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Distancing

Social science

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Clinical psychology

Epistemology

Philosophy

Political science

Psychology

Subjectivity

Geography

Framing (construction)

Performativity

Sensemaking

Public relations

Medicine

Coping (psychology)

Social psychology

Gender Work and Organization

This article examines the coping strategies of individuals during the confinement in France using a sensemaking lens. We draw on two studies consisting of 85 qualitative surveys followed by a diary in which 20 individuals wrote about their experiences during the first three weeks of the confinement. We employ an interpretative phenomenological approach to analyse the data. The findings reveal two patterns in the ways men and women cope with their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first pattern shows intensification of gender performativity manifested in the reproduction of 'masculine' and 'feminine' reactions to the crisis. The second pattern detects a tendency towards a gradual deflection from gender performances through mental improvisations that foster new awareness of the crisis presenting an opportunity to transcend traditional gender roles. Our study highlights some potential emancipatory implications the COVID-19 crisis may have for the practices of 'doing gender' and perceptions of work-life balance therefore instigating a transition towards more egalitarian households.

Coping with the COVID‐19 crisis: <i>force majeure</i> and gender performativity

Coping with the COVID‐19 crisis: force majeure and gender performativity