Gender Roles

Gender roles or stereotypes in society typically follow a binary male-female gender breakdown, and they can be harmful. There are different aspects of gender stereotypes: 
 

• Personality traits -- men are expected to be more aggressive and bold, while women are expected to be more polite and sensitive

• Expected domestic roles -- women being expected to cook and clean, while men are expected to work and provide financial support

• Occupations -- jobs like nurses or teachers are more associated with women, while jobs like doctors or engineers are more associated with men

• Physical traits -- women are expected to be graceful and smaller, while men are expected to be strong and larger

 

There are many other stereotypes that also exist, but you get the idea. In an increasingly modern society, these gender stereotypes are becoming less and less relevant, but the mentality of having gender norms can be very harmful. An exaggerated sense of femininity or masculinity can be detrimental because it can constrain a person’s emotions or experiences.

 

For example, a man may be looked down upon if he cries or stays at home, while a woman may be underestimated when she tries to become independent or assertive. Discrimination due to gender stereotypes is called sexism. In relationships, gender stereotypes can sometimes lead to abusive situations -- a hyperfeminine person may be susceptible to physical or mental abuse from a hypermasculine person.

 

Also, gender stereotypes can cause insecurities and identity difficulties for many young people -- if a boy is not “strong enough” or a girl is not “delicate,” they may feel awkward or displaced. Gender stereotypes place too much emphasis on the traditional roles of society that have existed for centuries. However, as our society modernizes, it is important that we also elevate our thinking towards gender roles and change these stereotypes. But how? The first step to changing these norms is to be aware of them -- and hopefully you now are!

 

Try spotting negative gender stereotypes in the world around you or in your own subconscious mind, then try adjusting your thinking to look past them! If someone around you makes a sexist or comment joke, try explaining how that may be harmful. Since gender stereotypes are a societal construction, they can be changed through a change in societal viewpoints and that change starts with YOU. 
 

Note: There are many situations where gender stereotypes ARE true -- after all, this is why they became the “norm,” and that’s not necessarily bad! What becomes harmful is when the gender stereotypes start creating negative implications or roles for people, or constrain people into a certain lifestyle they may not be interested in. Our goal is to get rid of the negative aspects of these stereotypes.