Women 's Gender And Gender Roles

In many shops, there seems to be an obvious separation between boys and girls items, for example, the birthday cards, books, clothes, and toys. This is shown in a variety of ways the boy's items are mainly the color blue and the books have pictures of either action figures, superheroes or tools. Whereas the girl's items are mainly the color pink. The books show pictures of fairies, princess, and Bratz. The cards also have the theme of the color pink for girls and blue for boys. The girl's cards have a lot of sparkles and pretty pictures whereas the boy's cards are covered in camo kind of illustrations and also have action figures on the covers. The children's clothes are separated into sections where there are labels for the boy's clothes and labels for the girl's clothes. The girl's clothing is all pretty and pink, it is covered in sparkles. Whereas boys clothing has camo patterns, blue colors, and pictures of action figures.

For centuries now, women have been bombarded with an infinite amount of conflicting and overwhelming messages about what it means to be a woman and which behaviors are considered appropriate, especially regarding sexual behavior. Traditionally, women have always been defined in relation to men. Men are seen as strong, while woman are seen as weak. Men are superior and women are their subordinates. This is exemplified by the fact that “masculine” traits such as strong, non-emotional, and competitive are considered socially desirable traits, while “feminine” traits such as docile, emotional, and passive are not. We evidently live in a society that is not only sexist, but also undoubtedly racist. The white woman typically appears as virtuous and pure, while the woman of color typically appears as unclean and tainted. If the woman of color also happens to be poor, she appears as being even more worthless. Therefore, in the United States, femininity as a concept is inextricably linked with concepts of race and class. In the present paper, I discuss the effect that this is having on women and their sexuality, the events that have paved the traveled path towards gender equality, and current issues plaguing women today, such as the attack on our reproductive rights and our value as women.

Throughout the years and years that society has lived out today, men have undoubtedly been glorified and held in high esteem for their accomplishments, character, and influence. Man has become a symbol of power, with masculinity becing associated with positive attributes such as strength, intelligence, and control. Femininity however, has been regarded as weak, superficial, and vacuous. Such an outlook on gender roles has resulted in an unequal power dynamic and an increasing deprecating view of the woman and her capabilities. Under represented in not only the media but also many governing bodies, women have continually been oppressed and subject to constant misogynstic transgreesions, the results of whcih have not only affected their lives and possible opportunies, but also their self worth and the way they see the worth of others.

In present day all around the world, society has certain expectations for the actions and behaviors of males and females. There are many factors in our everyday lives that contribute to the gender norms that society has set. This essay will discuss how situations in life can play a part in how people treat other people based on their gender. It is believed that males are the leaders of our world, but in present day woman can do as much as men can do. From The Journal of Marriage and Family, Hu states, “Differentiated gender roles in adulthood are rooted in one’s gender role socialization. In order to understand the persistence of gender inequalities in the domestic sphere, we need to examine the gendered patterns of children’s housework time.”(2015, P.1). Gender roles are society’s expectations of the proper behavior, attitudes, and activities of males and females that they must be taught. These roles define how females and males are viewed in society, their household, and workplace. In The Journal of Sports behavior by Hardin, he states, “Although gender role differences from biological and “Natural” exists in popular consciousness, research has long demonstrated that instead, many are long time socially constructed… Individuals understand their gender because they are given names and treated in particular ways, such as dress in pink for girls and blue for boys, that reflect social construction of gender. Bandura's social cognitive theory is key in understanding the factors in socialization”(2009, P.3). Bandura's theory of of social cognition is that behavior, environmental events, and cognitive factors are the main keys that shape attitudes and actions of an individual. Although, gender roles play a very big part in our society, specific genders are treated differently while dealing with peer influence, media influence, as well as employment.

Most people believe gender is only based on being male or female. People believe gender is based on the physical and biological differences between women and men. Over the last few years, the term gender has changed. When some people believe gender is being male or female. Most people associate gender with gender roles and how people are supposed to function or perform based on society’s expectations. In other words, people believe males and females have to behave according to their gender or gender roles to be socially accepted. For instance, it is socially accepted for women to be housewives while men work. However, gender is based upon how people are viewed and accepted. In other words, gender is based on how men and women feel about themselves, what is expected from them based on their roles, and how they are socially accepted.

Gender can sometimes be seen as biological characteristics humans have, when in fact it is the social characteristic ones society deems either masculine or feminine. Sex, on the other hand, is the biological differences in humans, for example, hormones and sex organs. People usually play gender roles in society, otherwise known as gender ideology. Gender ideology is when men and women have certain attitudes regarding their ‘fixed’ roles, responsibilities and rights. Throughout history men and women have been socialized to play these expected roles that have been placed on them due to their sex. In my own personal life I have encountered many instances where I have been socialized in relation to sex and gender.

Men collectively choose to receive psychological help less than their women counterparts. The sex distinction in help-seeking behavior occurs even when both women and men are equally afflicted. If male help-seeking behavior is to be increased, the reason for its neglect must be considered. Increasing our awareness of factors that may deter men from exploring psychological guidance may help in accessing reluctant men, allowing them to see past their preconceived ideology of masculinity.

Gender roles play an important role in society whether it is for good or for bad. These roles have been placed in society since the beginning of time. The term gender is socially created and it therefore categorizes men from women. How is gender defined, and what makes it different from the term sex? “…sex refers to the biological characteristics that distinguish women and men: sex chromosomes, reproductive organs, sex-specific hormones, and physical characteristics…Gender… refers to the social and cultural characteristics that distinguish women from men” (Cherlin, 2008, p. 81-82). The terms sex and gender are sometimes used interchangeably, although there is a clear distinction between the two. Gender is known to be socially constructed and is learned through social interactions and through the influences of the people around us. Gender roles are therefore sets of behaviors that are considered appropriate or acceptable for a man and for a woman, exclusively. These roles are socially created as well. For example, men play football and women play volleyball. Gender neutrality on the other hand is a term that is trying to push out these socially constructed roles. “Gender neutral language and gender inclusive language aims to eliminate (or neutralize) reference to gender in terms that describe people” (Gender, 2015). As the word indicates, gender neutrality refers to the idea that all genders should be equal and that all genders must have the same opportunities without

Gender socialization often begins early once parents are shown the sex of their child; from then on, baby showers are planned according to gender “appropriate” colors, which are often pink for girls and blue for boys. Even differences in how children are spoke to can be picked up easily in Western cultures. Girls are called pretty and sweet, whereas boys are handsome and strong. Ultimately, the way children learn to identify with their gender culture is in part due to not only family and friends, media, schools, and religion, but also from the toys that may inexplicitly advertise gender expectations. Gender-typed toys may be bought for children as a way for parents to encourage and reinforce gender-appropriate behaviors. However, recent debates have engulfed toy manufacturers and major retailers, which has brought about changes in toy design and marketing in an effort to make reflect more realistic and gender neutral options.

Even though women have pave through and have been recognize and now obtain high paying jobs and positions once only occupied by men. There are still issues with how women and men are depicted. In today’s society, it’s all about the electronics and technology and many see the media in the electronics. The media tends to use gender roles all the time commercials, movies, and etc. The media has a part also in the forming of the gender roles. An example is when you see commercials of little boys or girls; there’s a difference between both advertisements, girls commercials are more passive and pink, and the boys are loud and blue. Children are exposed to this media, which influences the forming of their gender role.

Children learn from their parents and from society the concept of what gender is and how to identify a male and female. Many of these learned concepts are cultural. Gender roles are the characteristics, attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that society expects of males and females. Gender roles in our society have changed significantly in current times, for example more woman working in various fields, especially those that were once held exclusively by men and a lot more men deciding to stay at home taking care of their children, while their significant other works outside of the home. In response to Eckert and Ginet's assertion that "Being a girl or being a boy is not a stable state but an ongoing accomplishment, something that is actively done both by the individual...and by those...in the various communities to which it belongs, " I believe that being a boy or a girl is a self-discovery. There are plenty of other qualities one can find about themselves, more beyond than just being a male or being a female. An example would be a female who enjoys doing masculine things and is good at sports or a male who enjoys doing hair and makeup. I believe it is never a stable state because not everyone is a society norm of a male or a female and I personally feel like it affects children and teenagers negatively because it puts pressure on them.

We are branded with a gender as far back as the second we are born. Looking into history, the different conduct of men and women has echoed gendered perceptions of public and private space. This importance is wholly fitting; what is astounding is the length of time it took for gender to find its equitable place within sociological thinking. Despite the fact there had been effort done on ‘sex roles’ prior to the 1970s, this was on the edge to sociology’s main concern. The revival of feminism in the 1970s changed the state of affairs, thought-provoking the androcentric interpretation of the world which had triumphed for a vast period of time. It was fundamental to the feminist scheme to pawn the supposition that present changes between women and men were intended by nature. The notion of gender was implemented in order to highlight the social construction of masculinity and femininity and the social organisation of relations amid women and men. Since not every person expresses and customs the term ‘gender’ in exactly the same way. Gender as sociologists outline a ranked separation between women and men entrenched in in cooperation of social institutions and social practices. Consequently, gender is a social structural phenomenon but is also produced, negotiated and continued at the level of everyday interaction. Feminism and feminists recognise that gender inequalities happen in society and they rate chance that improves gender equality, (Belknap, The Invisible Woman: Gender,

Gender stereotypes have been an epidemic plaguing society on international level since the beginning of civilization. In the United States of America, these norms have prevented both men and women from fully reaching their potential within society. The issue stems from tradition parenting methods and a deep-rooted history of raising boys and girls to see themselves differently; each with specific roles within their culture divided by a fine line between the two sexes that should not be crossed. Parents need to see the harm of enforcing such rules and how teaching both sexes the same core lessons will be the most beneficial for their children. The question of whether boys and girls should be raised the same is not black and white: it is a conglomerate of various issues that have built up and grew overtime. However, it is the solution to eradicating the toxic culture of gender roles and must be solved with new parenting techniques that embrace children for their unique selves, rather than their sex.

Growing up can be very confusing and creates a lot pressure for many. Young children and even adults might come across a confused state regarding where they belong or stand. There have been many controversies over same sex marriage because many do not agree that a man should marry another man or a women should marry another female. Based on this one can see that there are expectations on what a female or male should do, which is where gender role socialization takes place. Gender role socialization is the process whereby individuals learn and internalize the attitudes, values, behaviors and norms considered appropriate for males and females in our society. In addition to this it also teaches us ways to think, talk, and act.

Since the dawn of time, the male sex has been dominating over the female sex. As a result, society rewards them with a broader spectrum of opportunities. There are certain expectations and privileges that society holds and allots for each sex; with the males often “reaping the benefits” of these dispensations. In the book Sex and Gender by Hillary M. Lips, she addresses the constraints that society places on each sex through gender expectations and suggests that as a result of these limited cultural perceptions men are exposed to more openings: “change from male to female would involve a restriction of activities and horizons, whereas change in the opposite direction would involve a widening of possibilities” (Lips 402). After analyzing the implications of gender presumptions in class, I agree with Hillary’s statement. As a result of the guidelines that society places on gender through the feminist theory of Patriarchal dividend and stereotypical language, outlined by Laurel Richardson, there is often a divide in opportunity between genders. Lois Gould’s X: A Fabulous Child’s Story and Robert L. Allen and Paul Kivel’s Men Changing Men further supports Lips’ argument as it challenges the idea of typical gender roles by showing how these expectations impact an individual’s life. There are many attributes that contribute to an individual’s access to opportunities as Kimberelé Crenshaw highlights through her theory of Intersectionality and these attributes combined with gender