gender roles today essay

50 Gender Roles Examples

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Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Gender roles might feel outdated in the 21st Century, but they continue to be subtly reinforced through culture, media, and gender socialization to this day.

Traditional ideas about gender identity, fitting neatly into a male-female and masculine-feminine binary, have shaped society for many centuries.

From ideas that only men could be rulers of Kingdoms to historical notions of women’s roles in the home , today’s society’s gender stereotypes are fundamentally shaped by traditional societies’ limiting and often oppressive gender theories.

As you read through the examples in this article, keep a critical eye open for how these outdated ideas of gender might be perpetuated today, in film, songs, fashion, and even everyday conversations.

Gender Roles Examples

Traditional gender roles for men.

1. The Breadwinner Role

Historically, one of the traditional roles assigned to men was being the breadwinner of the family. In this role, they were expected to provide the primary source of income, working outside the home to support their families. This idea reinforced the concept that men should be strong, financially stable, and emotionally reserved. However, these assumptions are now outdated, as progressive ideas disavow the notion that the women are less capable of working for a living.

2. The Stoic Figure

Another traditional and now obsolete gender role is that of men as ‘stoic’ figures. This perspective disallowed men from openly expressing their emotions. Men were often expected to project strength and resilience, thus discouraging them from showing vulnerability or emotional distress. This concept has significantly contributed to the notion of toxic masculinity . However, contemporary understanding of emotional health recognizes the importance of emotional expression and mental health for all genders, effectively challenging this outdated stereotype.

3. The Protector Role

In the past, men were typically characterized as the protectors of their families and communities. They were expected to bravely confront dangers, defend their ‘territory’, and ensure the safety of their loved ones. This role reinforced the belief that men are inherently stronger and braver than women. Nowadays, however, this idea is seen as antiquated since both men and women are capable of providing safety and security, depending on their individual strengths and skills.

4. The Decision-Maker

The traditional gender role often cast men as the primary decision-makers within a household. They were presumed to be the ones responsible for major decisions regarding finances, family plans, and livelihoods. This role suggested that men are more rational and superior decision-makers, which is an outdated misconception. In modern times, the importance of joint decision-making in relationships is emphasized, recognizing women’s equally valuable insights and judgments.

5. The Fixer of Things

Historically, another gender role attributed to men was being the ‘handyman’. They were supposed to naturally excel in tasks like carpentry, automotive repair, and home maintenance. This stereotype restricted men to manual and technical tasks, inadvertently excluding women by implying that they were less competent in these areas. Now, it is widely accepted that proficiency in these tasks depends on individual interests and skills, not gender.

6. Dominance in Relationships

Classic gender roles often portrayed men as the dominant partner in relationships. Their assumed dominance manifested in controlling various aspects of the relationship, including decision-making and power dynamics. This stereotype fostered inequality, giving rise to a belief that men must inherently possess more power in relationships. Today, society places a strong emphasis on equality in relationships, deemphasizing traditional gender-based power dynamics.

7. Emotional Resilience

Traditionally, men were often instructed to show emotional resilience, which involved suppressing emotional responses. Crying or showcasing any form of emotional vulnerability was portrayed as a sign of weakness restricted mainly to females. Today, these sentiments are rapidly receding as more and more people understand the importance of emotional expression for everyone, regardless of their gender.

8. Career-Focused

In the past, men were also represented as largely career-oriented. This traditional gender role perpetuated the belief that the professional realm is primarily the domain of men, while women should focus on homemaking and raising a family. Today, this representation is largely outdated as women are visible and successful across various professional spaces, and men are more involved in household tasks and child-rearing.

9. Leadership Role

In many traditional societies, leadership was regarded as a characteristic exclusive to men. Whether in politics, business, or the community, men were generally chosen to lead, leaving women in mostly subordinate roles. This outdated belief was based on the erroneous assumption that men are inherently more competent leaders. In recent times, we recognize that leadership qualities do not depend on gender but on individual capability and skills.

10. Adventure and Risk-taking

Another traditional masculine role involved adventure and risk-taking actions. Men were usually portrayed as thrill-seekers, willing to take on dangerous tasks or careers—often leaving women to the safer, routine tasks. Presently, this role has been challenged with advancements in gender equality as women have proven themselves in various risky and adventurous fields, negating gender as a determinant of risk-taking behavior.

Additional Examples of Traditional Male Gender Roles:

• Men don’t cry.
• Men are breadwinners.
• Men are strong and tough.
• Men don’t show emotion.
• Men are protectors.
• Men should be handy and good with tools.
• Men should not be interested in fashion or makeup.
• Men are not nurturing.
• Men should be dominant in relationships.
• Men should not be interested in “domestic” tasks like cooking or cleaning.
• Men should be interested in sports.
• Men should not display vulnerability.
• Men are not good listeners.
• Men are not interested in or good at childcare.
• Men should be sexually aggressive.
• Men should not be interested in gossip or “chick flicks”.
• Men should not express affection towards other men.
• Men should be the head of the household.
• Men should be interested in cars and mechanics.
• Men should not ask for help.
• Men should not be interested in arts or dance.
• Men should be stoic.
• Men should not be concerned with personal appearance beyond basic grooming.
• Men should not show fear.
• Men should be decision-makers.

Go Deeper: Examples of Masculinity

Traditional Gender Roles for Women

1. The Caregiver Role

Conventionally, women were delegated the role of caregivers in the family unit. They were primarily responsible for bearing children, nurturing them, and taking care of the household duties. The stereotype conditioned society to believe that women are innately more nurturing and suited for caregiving. However, these stereotyped duties have been challenged today, as both men and women share caregiving responsibilities, proving that caregiving is not confined to one gender.

2. The Homemaker Role

Historically, women were also predominantly assigned the role of homemakers. The tasks associated with homemaking, such as cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the home, were considered their exclusive domain. This traditional belief perpetuated the image of women as domesticated beings and severely limited their pursuits outside the home. Presently, this notion is outdated as both women and men actively contribute to home maintenance and chores, reflecting a more balanced distribution of domestic responsibilities.

3. The Subservient Partner

Considered outdated now, women used to be seen as lesser equals in a relationship, often expected to be submissive to their male partners. They were purported to be less capable, both mentally and physically, thereby needing male companionship for completion. This misrepresentation fostered an unhealthy dynamic in relationships. Modern perspectives advocate an equal partnership wherein both individuals share responsibilities, rights, and voice their opinions.

4. The Emotional Support Role

Traditionally, women were often assigned the role of emotional support within family structures and relationships. They were envisaged as sensitive, empathetic, and nurturing individuals equipped to handle the emotional needs of their family members. This limited view placed undue emotional burden on women, while absolving men from expressing or dealing with emotions. Today, this stereotype is rejected as emotional capability and sensitivity extend beyond gender boundaries.

5. Appearance Conscious

In the past, women were often pressurized to prioritize their appearance, deemed an essential part of their identity. They were expected to conform to societal beauty standards, regularly engage in beauty rituals, and present impeccable appearances. This traditional role minimized the value of women to their appearance, undermining their other capabilities. Nowadays, this shallow view is constantly being challenged as beauty norms diversify, appreciating people for who they are and not merely for how they look.

6. The Nurturer

Women, according to age-old gender roles, were perceived as the primary nurturers of children. They were expected to cultivate moral, social, and cultural values in children, while men were typically absolved of these duties. This belief perpetuated the stereotype that women are inherently naturally adept at nurturing, while men are not. In contemporary society, this role is shared equally by both parents, recognizing that nurturing comes not from gender, but from the ability to care for and understand the needs of children.

7. The Peacekeeper Role

In bygone eras, women were perceived as the peacekeepers in households and social gatherings. They were expected to maintain harmony among family members and soothe any tensions or arguments. This traditional role imposed undue emotional labor on women while relieving men of such responsibilities. Today, however, we understand that emotional labor should be shared between both genders.

8. The Patient Listener

In the past, women were seen as patient listeners, often providing an empathetic ear to family members, friends, or partners. They were expected to contain their feelings and opinions to patiently listen and comfort others. This stereotype borrows heavily from the idea that women are often relegated to supportive roles and could promote emotional suppression in women. In modern times, the importance of equality in dialogue and emotional exchange in relationships is widely acknowledged.

9. The Multi-Tasker

Traditionally, women were often portrayed as adept multi-taskers, expected to juggle various responsibilities, from household chores to childcare, without any complaint. These expectations created an image of women as indefatigable workers shouldering multiple roles seamlessly. Today, this role is considered outdated, as it reinforces gender inequality. It’s understood that the ability to multitask is not gender-specific and societal expectations should reflect shared responsibilities between both genders.

10. Natural Teacher

In many past societies, women were seen as natural teachers, especially for young children. Regardless of their education or profession, they were expected to take responsibility for their children’s early education and moral guidance. This presupposition confined women to educational roles based solely on their gender. In today’s world, this stereotype is rebuffed as teaching is recognized as a skill , not a gender-dictated obligation.

Additional Examples of Traditional Female Gender Roles:

• Women are emotional and irrational.
• Women are caregivers and nurturers.
• Women should be primarily responsible for domestic tasks like cooking and cleaning.
• Women are not as physically strong as men.
• Women should be submissive and passive.
• Women are primarily valued for their appearance.
• Women should be interested in fashion and beauty.
• Women are not good at math or science.
• Women should be the primary caregivers for children.
• Women are more interested in relationships than careers.
• Women are not good at sports or are only interested in “feminine” sports.
• Women are more prone to gossip.
• Women are not as ambitious or driven as men.
• Women should be modest and demure.
• Women are not as sexually aggressive as men.
• Women should prioritize family over career.
• Women are more intuitive than logical.
• Women should not be too outspoken or assertive.
• Women are more interested in “chick flicks” and romance novels.
• Women are not good with tools or mechanics.
• Women are more sensitive and easily hurt.
• Women should aspire to be wives and mothers above all else.
• Women are more concerned with personal appearance.
• Women are not as capable in leadership roles.
• Women are more prone to be followers rather than leaders.

Go Deeper: Examples of Femininity

Gender roles are not innocuous. If we continue to perpetuate the idea that men can’t do things, women can’t do things, and so on, we will perpetuate gender bias and limit individual freedom and autonomy for everyone. But by continuing to talk about them, examine them, and look at how gender is socially constructed through media and culture, we can start to deconstruct them and highlight the absurdity of patriarchal worldviews that have been so pervasive for so much of human history.

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Essay on Gender Roles in Society

Students are often asked to write an essay on Gender Roles in Society in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Gender Roles in Society

Understanding gender roles.

Gender roles refer to societal expectations of behaviors, attitudes, and activities traditionally associated with males and females. They are shaped by cultural, historical, and social contexts.

Gender Roles in Different Cultures

Cultures worldwide have diverse gender roles. In some, men are seen as breadwinners while women manage home. In others, roles are more balanced, promoting equality.

Changing Gender Roles

Modern society is witnessing a shift in gender roles. Women are increasingly participating in professional fields, while men share domestic responsibilities.

Understanding gender roles is crucial for creating an equal society. It’s important to respect individual choices and promote flexibility in roles.

250 Words Essay on Gender Roles in Society

Introduction.

Gender roles, the societal expectations and norms associated with one’s sex, have been integral in shaping human behavior and interactions. These roles have been subject to significant changes over time, reflecting the evolving understanding of gender and its impact on society.

The Traditional View

Historically, gender roles were distinctly defined. Men were primarily seen as breadwinners, expected to provide for their families, while women were relegated to the domestic sphere, tasked with child-rearing and household chores. These roles were deeply ingrained, limiting individual potential and perpetuating gender inequality.

Modern Perspectives

In contemporary society, the perception of gender roles has undergone a paradigm shift. The feminist movement, LGBTQ+ rights activism, and increased awareness about gender diversity have challenged traditional norms. Men are now more involved in child-rearing and household tasks, and women have made significant strides in professional fields. Yet, gender-based stereotypes and biases persist, influencing career choices, income levels, and social interactions.

Impact of Evolving Gender Roles

The evolution of gender roles has profound implications for society. It fosters diversity, promotes equality, and allows individuals to explore their potentials beyond traditional confines. However, it also presents challenges, such as resistance to change and the struggle for identity.

Gender roles in society are not static but evolve with cultural, economic, and technological shifts. The challenge lies in fostering a society that acknowledges and respects this diversity, ensuring equal opportunities for all, irrespective of gender.

500 Words Essay on Gender Roles in Society

Gender roles are socially constructed and culturally specific norms that dictate the behavioral expectations of men and women in a society. These roles, deeply entrenched within the social fabric, profoundly influence individuals’ attitudes, behaviors, and identities.

The Evolution of Gender Roles

Historically, societies have been predominantly patriarchal, with gender roles strictly delineated. Men were typically associated with the public sphere – working, providing for the family, and making decisions, while women were confined to the private sphere – caring for children, managing the household, and nurturing relationships. However, the feminist movements of the 20th century challenged these stereotypes, advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.

In contemporary society, we are witnessing a shift in gender roles, with an increasing number of women entering the workforce and men partaking in household chores and child-rearing. Despite these changes, traditional gender roles persist, subtly influencing our perceptions and expectations.

Impact of Gender Roles on Society

Gender roles exert a significant influence on societal structures and individual lives. They contribute to gender inequality, limiting the opportunities and potential of individuals based on their gender. For instance, traditional roles often stereotype women as emotional and men as rational, influencing career choices and opportunities, and perpetuating wage gaps.

Moreover, these roles perpetuate harmful stereotypes, impacting mental health. The stereotype of men as strong and unemotional can lead to toxic masculinity, suppressing men’s emotional expression and promoting aggression. Similarly, the ideal of women as caregivers can limit their personal and professional growth.

Challenging Gender Roles

Challenging and reshaping gender roles is crucial for societal progress. Encouraging a culture that values individual capabilities over gender stereotypes can foster equality. Education plays a vital role in this process, promoting critical thinking about gender norms and fostering an understanding of gender as a social construct.

Additionally, media can play a significant role in challenging gender roles. By representing diverse gender identities and roles, media can help break stereotypes and promote a more inclusive understanding of gender.

In conclusion, gender roles, deeply embedded in our society, significantly shape our lives and experiences. While we have made strides towards equality, traditional gender roles continue to persist. Therefore, it is crucial to continually challenge these norms, fostering a society that values individuals for their capabilities and potential, rather than their gender. Through education and media, we can facilitate this shift, promoting a more inclusive, equal, and diverse society.

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123 Gender Roles Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Gender roles have long been a contentious topic in society, with debates raging on about the expectations and stereotypes placed on individuals based on their gender. From the traditional idea of men being the breadwinners and women staying at home to the more modern understanding of gender fluidity and non-conformity, there are countless angles to explore when it comes to gender roles. If you are looking for inspiration for your next gender roles essay, here are 123 topic ideas and examples to get you started:

• The impact of gender roles on mental health
• How gender roles are portrayed in the media
• The role of gender roles in shaping identity
• Gender roles in the workplace
• Gender roles in relationships
• The history of gender roles
• Gender roles and parenting
• Gender roles and education
• Gender roles and politics
• Gender roles in sports
• Gender roles in literature
• Gender roles in fairy tales
• Gender roles in the LGBTQ+ community
• Gender roles in different cultures
• Gender roles in the military
• Gender roles and body image
• Gender roles and social media
• Gender roles and religion
• Gender roles and technology
• Gender roles and aging
• Gender roles and healthcare
• Gender roles and fashion
• Gender roles and language
• Gender roles and leadership
• Gender roles and stereotypes
• Gender roles and intersectionality
• Gender roles and race
• Gender roles and class
• Gender roles and disability
• Gender roles and privilege
• Gender roles and the environment
• Gender roles and globalization
• Gender roles and social justice
• Gender roles and human rights
• Gender roles and feminism
• Gender roles and masculinity
• Gender roles and femininity
• Gender roles and sexual orientation
• Gender roles and gender identity
• Gender roles and gender expression
• Gender roles and non-binary identities
• Gender roles and trans identities
• Gender roles and intersex identities
• Gender roles and genderfluid identities
• Gender roles and gender nonconformity
• Gender roles and gender performance
• Gender roles and gender policing
• Gender roles and gender expectations
• Gender roles and gender socialization
• Gender roles and gender norms
• Gender roles and gender stereotypes
• Gender roles and gender binaries
• Gender roles and gender diversity
• Gender roles and gender equality
• Gender roles and gender equity
• Gender roles and gender empowerment
• Gender roles and gender liberation
• Gender roles and gender justice
• Gender roles and gender activism
• Gender roles and gender representation
• Gender roles and gender visibility
• Gender roles and gender inclusivity
• Gender roles and gender fluidity
• Gender roles and gender variance
• Gender roles and gender transition
• Gender roles and gender affirmation
• Gender roles and gender dysphoria
• Gender roles and gender euphoria
• Gender roles and gender pronouns
• Gender roles and gender presentation
• Gender roles and gender validation
• Gender roles and gender acceptance
• Gender roles and gender celebration

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A Gender Analysis of Today’s Society Analytical Essay

Introduction, a historical overview of women’s roles in america, gender roles of women in society, personal reflection.

We live in a society that is characterized by rapid social, economic, technological and cultural changes. As such, we find that we have to adapt to the change occurring around us in order to survive through different situations. Rubin (2000) defines a society as a social group in which members coexist, endure and cooperate by developing interactive relationships with each other. In America, the different roles played by members define our society. In most cases, these roles are gender based.

However, over the past fewdecades, gender roles in the American society have undergone rapid and significant changes. With these considerations, this paper shall set out to explore how gender roles affect a woman’s professional and personal life in America today. This shall be done by performing a gender analysis and a personal reflection on the topic. A brief look at the roles played by women in previous centuries shall be provided as a basis for comparison.

In most historical accounts, women have been portrayed as the “weaker sex”. As such, their roles in society were limited to household duties such as cleaning, shopping, bearing and nurturing children and farming. It was not until the colonial period when women roles in society experienced a major change.

During the colonial period, America had a serious labor deficit. This led to a situation where the contribution of women was pivotal to the survival of their families and nation. As a result, women were no longer restricted to household chores and they had an opportunity to venture out,and try different approaches to life.

Consequently, women in today’s society have diverse roles, which include both the traditional and non-traditional roles. As such, women in today’s society can be categorized as entrepreneurs, working class and housewives. Each category has different roles that impact how the women behave personally and professionally.

However, due to hard economic times, the prevalence of women in these categories has changed significantly. More women are getting higher education and joining the American workforce, while fewer women settle for being housewives (Carter, Corra & Carter, 2009).

Over the past years, women’s roles have changed significantly. This can be attributed to the implementation of affirmative action laws, as well as economic realities that call for more contribution from both the male and female sexes.

These changes have led to a situation whereby equality between the sexes is not only desirable, but necessary for the survival and continual development of our society. As such, women are no longer restricted to some roles, or denied participation in others. Equality has therefore been promoted due to the realization that it is a great unifying factor in today’s complex society (Giele, 2007).

My parents have been a great inspiration in regard to promoting equality. Since my early childhood days, my mother often encouraged me to help out in the house and emphasized on the importance of doing various womanly chores. These included maintaining a high level of personal cleanliness, learning how to cook and clean and ensuring that our house was always tidy.

My brother and his friends enjoyed freedom from such responsibilities, and while I thought that it was unfair, I came to realize that as a girl, I was expected to learn these responsibilities.

On the other hand, my father focused most of his attention in teaching my older brother how to be a responsible man. In his free time, he could call him and give him advice on his responsibilities, the value of a good education and how to behave in society. The fact that he could help my mother do some house chores perplexed me the most.

In addition, he had a keen interest in my educational progress and often insisted that I work hard in school so as to secure a brighter future for myself. I never understood why my parents pushed me harder than they did my siblings in regard to performance. As years went on, I started realizing that as a woman, I had to work twice as hard as my male counterparts in order to succeed.

By observing my parents, I learnt that while women participated significantly in the job market, they still have to play a supportive role to their families and husbands. Despite the fact that women today are more empowered and can gain useful employment in terms of status and pay rate, men’s careers and needs often take precedence over those of their women counterparts (Eich-Krohm, 2007).

Choices made often prioritize the man’s career. This is further insinuated by Eich-Krohm (2007) who asserts that men’s careers often take priority and in most family settings, if a man’s career is in jeopardy, women are forced to relocate with their families regardless of their careers.

This goes to show that society expect women to support their husbands even if it affects the woman’s career negatively (Eich-Krohm, 2007).Despite the fact that women are increasingly taking up office roles, their gender roles as mothers and homebuilders greatly hamper their professional development.

This is demonstrated by Eich-Krohm (2007) who states that, in as much as equality has taken form in today’s society, women are in most cases taking career breaks (maternity leaves and other family related leaves) in order to cater for the needs of their family members. In addition, the author states that women often request for a reduction in their working hours so that they can redirect some extra efforts to their homes. This further shows that gender roles affect the professional development of women in America.

Similarly, religion has been documented as being among the main factors determining gender roles in society. The Amish communities, as well as most Christians believe that a woman’s place is at home. As such, you may find that some women in such religions have little aspirations of developing a professional career. The truth behind this sentiment can be evidenced from results collected from a study by Bang et al (2005), which showed that religious fundamentalism had a significant impact on how people perceived gender roles.

In addition, the study also showed that religions that focused on the traditional gender role expectations had fewer women professionals. Women with greater religious commitment were inclined to carry out their traditional roles as dictated by their religion (Bang et al, 2005). As such, women with strong religious affiliations are more likely to cut short their careers in order to take up a more supportive role as homebuilders and parents as long as their husbands can provide for them.

Rubin (2000) refers to gender as the activities, behaviors and roles that society expects from men or women. In as much as this is true, it should not be static since society is always evolving and changes have to be made so that we can adapt to current affairs. Gone are the days when women were considered as the weaker sex.

Basing on recent experiences, women are actively involved in politics and business management among other professions, which were in the past dominated by men. This is proof that women have what it takes to fight for equal opportunities with men, all the while, maintain their gender roles as mothers and home builders.

In addition, education has further promoted equality among the sexes in the sense that we all follow the same curriculum and learning process. As such, gender should not be the determining factor when it comes to delegation of roles.

In today’s society where the input of both men and women remain invaluable, sharing chores enables parents to build a better and stable future for their children. This means that gender roles should not be allowed to hinder the success of women because their contribution is as important as that of their male counterparts.

This paper set out to perform a gender analysis of today’s society. From the discussion herein, it has been argued that women emancipation is of great importance. In addition, a discussion on how gender roles affect a woman’s professional and personal life has been provided and a personal reflection on gender presented. Considering the hardships that are inherent in today’s society, gender should not mitigate people’s ability to succeed.

Bang, E. et al. (2005). Ethnicity, Acculturation, and Religiosity as Predictors of Female College Students’ Role Expectations. Sex Roles, 53 (3/4): 231-237.

Eich-Krohm, A. (2007). Make It or Break It–Women’s Career Interruptions in the Age of Professional Migration . International Journal of Sociology, 37 (2): 75-93.

Giele, J. Z. (2007). Homemaker or Career Woman: Life Course Factors and Racial Influences among Middle Class Americans. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 54 (2): 393-409.

Rubin, M. (2000). Women in the American Society for Public Administration: Another Decade of Progress but Still a Way to Go. Public Administration Review, 60 (1): 61-71.

Scott Carter, J., Corra, M., & Carter, S. (2009). The Interaction of Race and Gender: Changing Gender-Role Attitudes, 1974–2006. Social Science Quarterly,90 (1): 196-211.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Sociology of Gender — Gender Roles

Essays on Gender Roles

Hook examples for gender roles essays, "breaking the mold: challenging traditional gender roles" hook.

"Society's mold for gender roles has been set for centuries. Explore the courageous stories of individuals who have shattered stereotypes and challenged the status quo."

"From Pink to Blue: The Influence of Media on Gender Stereotypes" Hook

"Media has played a significant role in perpetuating gender stereotypes. Examine how TV, movies, and advertising continue to shape our perceptions of masculinity and femininity."

"The Gender Pay Gap: Unveiling the Inequality" Hook

"Behind the paycheck lies a stark reality—the gender pay gap. Delve into the reasons behind this disparity and the ongoing fight for pay equity."

"Double Standards: The Burden of Gender Expectations" Hook

"Society often imposes double standards on genders. Discuss the societal pressures and expectations that individuals face and their consequences."

"Reimagining Roles: The Evolution of Gender in the 21st Century" Hook

"The 21st century has witnessed a reimagining of traditional gender roles. Explore the shifts in gender dynamics and how they impact our communities, families, and workplaces."

"Feminism: Empowering Voices, Redefining Roles" Hook

"Feminism has been a driving force in challenging gender norms. Share stories of feminist movements and their impact on dismantling stereotypes and empowering women."

"Parenting Without Borders: Gender-Neutral Approaches" Hook

"Gender-neutral parenting is gaining momentum. Discuss the benefits and challenges of raising children without rigid gender expectations."

Gender Roles and Norms in Modern Society

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Research of How People Learn Gender Roles

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A gender role, also known as a sex role, is a social role encompassing a range of behaviors and attitudes that are generally considered acceptable, appropriate, or desirable for a person based on that person's sex.

Talcott Parsons, Geert Hofstede, John Money, West and Zimmerman.

Biological factors, culture, religion, media.

Dressing: women wear skirts, men wear pants. Childhood behavior: boys play with guns, girls - with dolls. Sensitivity: men don’t cry, women do. Care taking: comes naturally to women. Working: men work outside, women at home.

Relevant topics

• Sex, Gender and Sexuality
• Gender Criticism
• Gender Stereotypes
• Social Justice
• Media Analysis
• Sociological Imagination
• Cultural Appropriation

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Gender Roles in Society

How it works

Gender roles have been assigned to members of a society based on their biological sex. If a child is born with female sexual reproductive organ then they are conditioned to act feminine, while those born with male reproductive organs are conditioned to act masculine. But what does it mean act feminine or masculine? Well based on the gender roles constructed by society and culture femininity is soft, warm, and sensitive. Masculinity, on the other hand, is logical, strong and aggressive. These stereotypical perception of men and women are usually what come to mind when we think of gender. Need a custom essay on the same topic? Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we’ll deliver the highest-quality essay! Order now

Gender roles have been long studied by many sociologists and psychologist alike, but how is gender defined and how does traditional gender role affect members within a society?

First, let’s consider the role of biology in determining sex and gender in modern society. While both men and women share the same sex hormones, higher levels of testosterone have been observed in men and higher levels of estrogen have been observed in women. In humans, each individual has 23 pairs of chromosomes, and the 23rd pair is thought to determine biological sex. Males sex chromosomes are XY and female sex chromosomes are XX. An individual may inherit the X chromosome from their mother and/or father and a Y chromosome from their father. Y chromosomes have the Sex-determining Region Y gene (SRY) on the Y chromosome, which initiates the process of a fetus developing testes. Embryos with a Y chromosome and an activated SRY gene will likely develop into a male while embryos without a Y chromosome will likely develop in a female due to the absence of the SRY gene. In some cases, an embryo may have XY chromosomes however the SRY gene is not activated causing it to develop into a female. An active SRY gene may cause cells to secrete testosterone while an absent or inactive SRY gene may cause cells to secrete estrogen. There are a small percentage of people who are born intersex, their physical sex characteristics do not fit that of a typical male or female. While an individual’s biological sex will be used to define his/her gender role within society, it should be noted that biology does not determine an individual’s gender but rather his/her sex.

Females and males are assigned gender roles based on their sex when they are born and continue to learn those roles as they get older. However, social constructionism does not view gender as being biological but rather as a construct of social expectations that varies across culture and time. Children learn the stereotypical gender ideals from their parents, school, religious teaching and media. The family is the first institution of socialization and much of the behavior exhibited during the first years of life is learned from the family unit. When a baby is born parents begin to assign that baby gender by placing girls in feminine colors like pink and boys in masculine colors like blue. But it does not stop at colors as even toys are gender divided, dolls are given to girls while trucks are given to boys; this creates the stereotypical idea of what each gender should like. Stereotypical gender roles are reinforced in school when children learn to socialize outside of the family. In schools there are gender divided sports teams, most of the sports team are dominated by boys with cheerleaders being mostly female. Books, toys, movies, and advertisement all reinforce stereotypical gender roles which teach members within a society how to behave and how not to behave. There are instances where products are advertised to a specific gender. For instance, video games commercials frequently use males for their ads despite the fact that women also play video games. Commercial for cleaning products often shows women cleaning the home, doing laundry and caring for the children.

The cognitive theory on gender development asserts that children often observe adults in search of cues on how to make sense of the world. Children will observe their father for cues on how a male is expected to act while looking to their mother for cues on how a female is expected to act. They use these gender cues to form expectations about how different genders are supposed to behave. By around five years of age children would have a collection of gender stereotypes which they apply to themselves. They use these stereotypes that they learn from social interactions to guide their own behavior. By the age of eleven- and fourteen-months infants can distinguish male and female voices and match them to male and female faces. There are other theories which support the idea that gender roles are learned such as the gender schema theory which was proposed in 1981 by psychologist Sandra Bem. The theory suggests that a child’s schema about male and female traits is influenced by his/her cognitive development and social influences.

On the other hand, other theories such as the evolutionary theory posit that some modern-day gender roles are a result of ancestral humans’ adaptation to social roles in order to survive and reproduce. Social roles were divided between men and women which provided an advantage as the men would hunt while the women cooked and cared for the young. Women would also take part in providing food by planting and gathering, these were less dangerous activities and seemed like the logical choice as women were needed to reproduce. Men could take more risk, they were stronger and had better spatial visualization ability. On the hand, women had better manual dexterity and visual perception. Evolutionary psychologist assumes that the differences between gender are a result of natural selection, that humans have evolved throughout history to develop genes that aid in their survival. Those roles that were created during primitive times lasted throughout human history and still influences the way modern day society view gender.

Functionalist believes that early humans found the division of labor between genders beneficial and thus has survived throughout history, however, the traditional gender roles are problematic for modern society. Conflict theorist, on the other hand, believes that traditional gender roles had survived because it provided men with an advantage as it made it difficult for women to gain access to economic, social and political resources. However, they do agree with the conflict theorist that traditional gender roles are outdated for modern society. Sociologist Talcott Parsons’ (1950) theory on gender roles suggest that the socialization and complementary roles of men and women are necessary for the traditional nuclear family. The complementary role of women is to be homemakers while the complementary role of the man is to be the breadwinner. He also believed that girls are socialized to develop expressive attribute and boys are socialized to develop instrumental attributes.

Stereotypical gender roles are caused by the division of social roles between genders. Over many years these roles have been conditioned and reinforced by rewarding or praising a child for adhering to those roles. Women are viewed as having more communal qualities and men as having more agentic qualities. This is not based on biological makeup of men and women but rather the social roles assigned to them. Women were perceived has sensitive, caring and compassionate because their social role for many years was that of a caregiver. They occupied more caretaker roles such as stay-at-home mothers or nurses, leading to the assumption that women are biologically programmed to care for others.

On the other hand, men were perceived as intelligent, competitive and aggressive because for many years’, men were more likely to be educated, to have a job and earn higher pay. They were often the primary breadwinners in their family and held more leadership roles within society. This led to the stereotypical perception of men being better leaders because they are more aggressive and logical.

The media and every institution of socialization have instilled in humans the idea of how a male and a female is supposed to look and act. It is through these socializations that people learn from a very young age that women are not supposed to be aggressive and men are not supposed to be sensitive. Children shows are full of stereotypical gender roles, like the Disney princesses. Fairytales like Cinderella often portray women as the damsel in distress who waits on a prince to save her. In these stories, the women are beautiful, helpful and nurturing while the female villain is portrayed as ugly, unhelpful and lacks nurturing qualities. The men are brave, strong and even athletic. In 1995 Thompson and Zerbinos analyzed 41 cartoons on American television and found that those produce before 1980 portrayed more stereotypical gender roles than those after 1980.

The stereotypical gender roles can often present some issues in modern society. The perception that real men do not cry causes men to bottle up emotions out of fear that they will be perceived as weak or feminine. When emotions are not dealt with in a healthy way it can cause stress and may lead to aggressive behaviors as the stress builds. The stereotype of men being breadwinners can also cause negative issues with marriages. Men are perceived as being the provider, therefore, when women become the primary breadwinner men can become resentful. Men may feel inadequate if their wives make more money than they do. Women are expected to be the nurturers and so when they don’t exhibit those characteristics they are frowned upon by society. While men who take on more caretaker roles are viewed as weak and feminine.

Women can also face a disadvantage in the workforce due to stereotypical gender roles. In the workforce, leadership roles are mainly awarded to men who are perceived as being aggressive and competitive. However, women who perform the same as their male counterpart are often perceived negatively because they don’t fit the stereotypical gender role set by society. This may also lead to wage gaps between men and women, as men tend to earn more than their female counterpart. Those disadvantages are often due to sexism which is the discrimination of a person based on their sex or gender. Apart from the inequalities of hiring and promotional opportunities as well as gaps in earnings, sexism can also present itself in the form of sexual harassment. Women are often viewed as sex objects and were more likely to face sexual harassment than men.

Gender roles with modern western society, however, changing as more women are taking on leadership roles. Women are working in areas that were once male-dominated, women make up 46% of the U.S workforce. Gone are the days when women weren’t even allowed to vote, women now have important roles within government, they are mayors, governors, and senators. 15.7% of corporate officers and 1.4% of CEOs in Fortune 500 companies are women; additionally, in government women make up 14% of senators, 15% of congressional representative and 16% of state governors.

Additionally, the feminist movement which began around 1848 is gaining more support in fighting against the sexist behaviors towards women. Women have been fighting against stereotypical gender roles, so they are not only perceived as just mothers, housewives or sex objects but also leaders and business women. The feminist movement has been bringing attention to the inequality women face in society. The 1960s brought the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan and the establishment of the National Organization for Women (NOW). But just how much fast are stereotypical gender roles changing? Data of 191 adults were collected in 2014 and compared to data of 195 college student from 1983. Researchers found that in 2014 people still held strong stereotypical ideals of men and women, particularly personality traits and gender role behaviors.

Gender roles have been long studied by many sociologists and psychologist alike, but how is gender role defined and how does it affect members within a society? It can be concluded that gender roles are a social construct that is assigned to members of a society based on their biological sex. While biological sex is inherited, gender is learned by socialization with members of society. While gender roles vary across culture and time, most traits are common in all society and time periods. Women are often assigned the role of caregivers and homemakers while men are assigned the role to provider and protector. Those stereotypical gender roles have existed since primitive time and are still held today.

The cognitive theory, social constructionism, functionalist and conflict theorist all seemed to agree that gender roles are learned through socialization. Functionalist and conflict theorist believe that traditional gender roles present an issue in modern society. Children learn gender roles from many different institutions of socialization like the family, religion, and school, as well as other avenues such as the media. Children learn gender norms as they are introduced to gender-specific colors, clothing, toys, and activities. Girls are dress in pink which are considered feminine and boys are dressed in blue which is considered masculine. Girls are given dolls while boys are given trucks and are taught how genders are expected to behave based on observation of adults around them.

The stereotypical roles applied to females portray women as weak, dependent, submissive and emotional. These kinds of stereotypes lead to sexism which can cause women to experience inequality in the workforce, abuse and to be unfairly treated when they don’t fit the traditional role. Men also face disadvantages of stereotypical gender roles, as men often face ridicule when they don’t fit the traditional roles. Men are taught to not get emotional, they are expected to be the breadwinners and are mocked when they make less than their women. Boys often feel inadequate, sad and angry when they are teased as being feminine.

There is a change that has been slowly happening in modern society has the feminine movement grows. There are men and women who are fighting to remove stereotypical gender roles and to redefine the definition of femininity and masculinity. Women are taking their place in government, owning businesses and being breadwinners while fulfilling their roles as mothers.

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