When gender roles are pondered, something that everyone always questions, is at what point are they followed by genetics, biological to be exact and to what extent are they influenced by cultural/ethnic backgrounds. A way to eliminate this question is by observing the differences of gender roles throughout history, and gender roles in other cultures compared to our modern day roles.
If something is genetic/biological, it would be expected to exist since the very beginning of ‘man’kind and should be the same way everywhere else, but all gender roles are not. Current West side gender roles thought of as a ‘natural’ is an example of how sexist people and racist people doing this, both relate. When analyzing social normalities or extremities that most likely belittle women, the belief system also does not consider other communities, economies, or cultures that do things in differently.
Believe it or not, many of the social “norms” that may seem acceptable and natural to us, might seem unnatural and appalling to people from other places around the world. The only negative thing about gender roles in cultures, is the fact that they’re expected and pressured onto people, based on a “hierarchy” that places women and other dinegrated people at the bottom.
There has been a numerous amount of scientific question, on why girls like pink, rather than darker or other light colors. A Current Biology 2007 paper, theorizes why females preference for pink related colors somehow connects to the choices of female ancestors who use to pick pink colored berries while the men did the hunting. This theory has caused many conspiracy theories on why pink hasn’t always been considered a “female dominant color.” In the 20th century, pink was surprisingly considered a boy’s color. An issue of 1918, Earnshaw’s Infants’ Department reads:
“The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” (www.smithsonianmag.com)
A natural thing culturals do is, project gender roles onto gender neutral things like toys, colors, actions, but also gendered qualities, like ‘fragile and exquisite,’ on them. We might believe, pink was made for girls because it’s a “pretty, soft color,” but in all honesty, it’s more likely the complete opposite way around: We see things this way because it’s related/combines with female roles.
If you think the lack of gender diversity in technology manufacturing is a result of natural discrepancies in abilities, think once again. Coding was considered women’s work at some point. The person (a female) who introduced the notion for the first computers was Ada Lovelace, (countess born in 1815).
When the first computers were built in the 1940s, it was mainly women mathematicians who generated and wrote the programs. And this job was still considered below men, because they were the ones who built the hardware. And during the 1960s and 1970s, the popularity of women studying computer science, was increasing at such a fast rate that they surpassed that amount of men.
“Be a man,” “act tough” and “don’t cry pussy,” “don’t be a girl” are only few phrases from the millions that can be handpicked from a basket infested with “ego damaging” phrases that target masculinity. Reinforcing word use and expression that feminizes them and masculinizes violence has the power to trigger empathy, practice dominance, and connect fear with respect. Males are born loving people, but at a young age they are introduced to traits of, small language, and a small mindset that connects them with society’s concept of what “being a man” means.
The United States has created a false definition of America’s form of masculinity. Every single minute, there is a boy who feels “unmanly” because he is unable to meet the standards set by society. For the ones that manage to, it is only an exhausting façade hiding the truth of his dislikes, likes, emotions, passions, and priorities.
He is non-stop putting on a show for all of society. Most commonly in the lives of young boys, this happens mostly in school, the most experienced area of our country. School is the time in a child’s life when he discovers himself by finding a group of friends he fits with, a favorite school subject, hobbies, sports, and music preferences. Ultimately, it’s a time to get in touch with who he is in the world.
Feminism only speaks for one part of the entire perspective that revolves around society. There is a common misunderstanding that men, are gender exceptions from burdening expectations, societal pressures, and stereotypes; free from slut shaming and glass ceilings.
But in complete truth, boys may be challenged with an entirely different force, more painful, and more complicated— being forced to fit into a misogynistic and hyper masculine mold. They must hide their emotions. If boys have a natural love for theatre, art, singing, or acting, they are immediately categorized, targeted, and put on a shelf for children to be called “gay” or even “fag.”
No one can blame a child for walking down school halls intimidated by the natural desire to fit in, feeling accepted, and to be well-liked. Both the success and failure of trying to fit the mold of the set male illusion can end up linked to high male suicide rates, bullying and even sexism.
Setting an example and a sense of belongingness among young boys is the psychological fertilizer that nourishes cliques, gangs, poses, and securely knit friendships all the way up to adulthood. This is the reason why the school cafeteria is the epicenter for socialization, where who you surround yourself with, reflects the group you are most comfortable with and are a part of.
There has been studies, that examined the variations over a vast array of dimensions of gender role attitudes expressed by women, in predominantly male and predominantly female college majors using religion and other variables as predictors. 5 dimensions of gender role attitudes were used; extrafamilial roles, familial roles, female/male stereotypes, gender-role preference, and social change.
No significant difference was discovered between women in the two different types of majors nor on any dimension of attitudes regarding gender roles, multiple regressions revealed that Religious devoutness was, the most important variable among all the ones utilized in consistently predicting all the dimensions of gender role attitudes.
Gender roles affect people in many ways. A stereotype is an accepted judgment or bias about a group or a person, even though it’s overly simplified and almost not always accurate. Stereotypes about gender can cause unfair and unequal treatment because of the person’s gender. Which is known as sexism. Hyperfemininity is the exaggeration of stereotype behavior that is believed to be feminine. Hyper Feminine people exaggerate the qualities they believe are to be “feminine.” This may include being naive, passive, soft, sexually inexperienced, flirtatious, nurturing, graceful, and also accepting.
Hypermasculinity is the exaggeration of stereotype behavior that is believed to be “masculine.” Hyper masculine people exaggerate the qualities they believe are to be masculine. They believe they are supposed to battle with other men and control/dominate other women/men by being verbally demanding, aggressive, insensitive, experienced in sex, physically imposing and intimidating, demanding, and ambitious.
These exaggerated gender stereotypes can make relationships between people, very difficult and hard to work with. Hyper Feminine people are more likely to handle physical and emotional abuse from their partners. Hypermasculine people are more likely to be emotionally and physically abusive with their partners.
Extreme gender stereotypes are harmful to themselves and others because they do not allow people to fully express themselves with and their emotions. For example, it’s harmful to masculine people to feel that they are not allowed to cry or express their own sensitive emotions. And it’s harmful for feminine people to feel that they are not allowed to be independent, assertive, or smart. Breaking down gender stereotypes allows everyone to be their very best selves.
Gender equality, equality between men and women, does not mean that men and women have to become or be the same, but that their rights, opportunities and responsibilities will not depend or have to do with whether they are born, male or female. Gender equity means fairness of treatment for men and women, regarding their respective and necessary needs. This may include treatment that is different, or equal treatment, but is also considered equivalent in terms of benefits, rights, opportunities, and obligations. Gender equity is defined as fairness of how both genders are treated for both men and women, and regarding their respective needs.
This may include equal treatment or treatment that is different, but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities. While the goal of treating everyone equally and fair may seem impossible, the standards of equal treatment seems to still ignore, that people differ in their capacities, interests, capabilities, experiences, and given resources. Equality focuses on drawing the same starting line for everyone. Equity has the goal of granting everyone with full opportunities and benefits and the same finish line.
What is Feminism? Women who categorize themselves as feminists define their goals as the unity of women advocating for equality on the basis of their rights social, political, and economic compared to men. What is menimism? menimists are a satirical parody mocking of feminists. menimism is not a real movement, it is a joke and game, intended to make fun of feminists. A small tiny amount of men have used it as a way to air their grievances, but the movement itself was created as a way to satirize feminism and it’s feminist. They recreate popular feminist posters, as a way to show women the male point of view.
Personally, I have acknowledged the difference between male and female daily routines. Not necessarily disparaging one or the other, but simply realizing a truth. I woke up one morning to the ringing of my alarm, as I picked up my iPhone 7, I see that it reads “Alarm 6:30am” and at this moment I freaked out a bit bc I had slept past my earlier alarm I set at 6:00am.
I was running late to my 7:15am Anatomy class, and not that it was the end of the world, but I had a lecture exam on this day! As I rushed out my room door, I quickly got up, put on my preselected outfit for the day as I tried to do many things at the same time. I quickly slipped on my jeans and my band t-shirt then rushed to the restroom while hopping on one leg trying to put on my shoes. (If I was a female, I would have took more time as I had to put on a bra, skin tight jeans)
I brushed my teeth (if I was a girl, I would have had to brush my hair as well) and realized my hair was a mess, I simply put on a baseball cap (if I was a girl I wouldn’t have been able to easily do this) and headed out the door. I rushed to my car and quickly hit the start engine. I looked at my cars clock and it read 6:47 am. (If I was a girl, it would have been like 6:57 this point) I then hit the gas and drove off to class.
As I drove through the veins of the city, there were several red lights I encountered where a guy to my left would glance at me and look away. (If I was a girl, guys would have probably kept looking at me) I was alert not to speed if there was a police car in sight.
I safely and quickly made it to campus. I parked and glanced at my clock as it read “7:11 am” (if I was a girl, it would have probably been 7:32 am by now) I quickly exited my car as I grabbed my yellow colored backpack and made sure I had my scantrons. As I’m walking into the campus doors, I check my phone as it says “7:14 am” (if I was a girl, it would have probably been 7:35 am by now)I quickly head up stairs as I rush to class.
I enter the classroom doors as I see the professor is barely setting in, I sit down and look at the clock as it says 7:15 am” (if I was a girl I would have officially been late) I officially made it on time. I then took my exam and had enough time to answer all 100 questions. After the exam I headed over to my best friend’s house as we both headed to the Northridge mall. As we entered the mall doors we were eyeballed by a group of guys as they cat called my best friend calling her “cute” and as I looked at them, they treated me as if I was invisible and wasn’t even there. (If I was a girl, they would have cat called and said “cuties” and made eye contact with both of us.
We continued to walk as my best friend was uninterested and asked to walk faster with an embarrassed look on her face. We continued towards H&M, and as we entered we first headed towards the women’s section. And as my best friend did her shopping and scouting of jeans, skirts, and dresses, I came across a cute mesh green shirt that I found appealing for myself. As I read the tag and realized they didn’t have my size I asked a near associate “do you guys carry this shirt in a size large?”
The associate, who happened to be a woman said, “that’s a women shirt. Men’s are on the other side” (if I was a girl, she wouldn’t have responded that) I quickly replied “Okay and? I asked for a size, not a direction.” She then exposed a surprised expression and apologized and said she would check. After that incident, I was just waiting till my best friend was done so we can head over to the males section so I can look some more. After she was contempt with her search, we headed to the opposite side of the store and I continued my search for other clothes I find interesting.
As I didn’t find anything, I headed towards the desk to see if I spotted the female associate, as I did, she said they did carry it, as she handed it to me, I proceeded through the line and purchased my shirt. As we were leaving the store, she apologized to me one more time and I just smiled. As we exited the store, we headed towards the exit of the mall. We drove home and ended our day.
In conclusion, when gender roles are pondered, one thing that everyone seems to question, is at what point are they biological and to what extent are they influenced due to cultural backgrounds. A way to eliminate this question is by looking at gender roles throughout history, and gender roles in other cultures compared to our present roles. The United States has created a false definition of America’s form of masculinity.
Every single minute, there is a boy who feels “unmanly” because he is unable to meet the standards set by society. For the ones that manage to, it is only an exhausting façade hiding the truth of his dislikes, likes, emotions, passions, and priorities. He is non-stop putting on a show for all of society. Most commonly in the lives of young boys, this happens mostly in school, the most experienced area of our country.
Gender equality between men and women, does not mean that they have to become the same or be better than the other, but that their rights, opportunities and responsibilities will not depend or have to do with whether they are born, male or female. Gender equity means fairness of treatment for men and women, regarding their perspective and necessary needs. This may include them being treated a bit differently, or equal treatment, but is also considered equivalent in terms of benefits, rights, opportunities, and priorities.
Gender equity is defined as fairness of how both genders are treated for both men and women, and regarding their respective needs. This may or may not include equal or unequal treatment that is different, but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities. Women who categorize themselves as feminists define their goals as the unity of women advocating for equality on the basis of their rights social, political, and economic compared to men.
What is Menimism?
Menimists are a satirical parody mocking of feminists. menimism is not a real movement, it is a joke and game, intended to make fun of feminists. A small tiny amount of men have used it as a way to air their grievances, but the movement itself was created as a way to satirize feminism and it’s feminist.
They recreate popular feminist posters, as a way to show women the male point of view. Gender roles affect people in many ways. A stereotype is an accepted judgment or bias about a group or a person, even though it’s overly simplified and almost not always accurate. Stereotypes about gender can cause an unfair and an unequal treatment because of the person’s gender. Which is known as sexism and prejudice.
Hyperfemininity is the exaggeration of their actions that stereotyped them and developed a behavior that is believed to be too/extra feminine. Hyper Feminine people exaggerate the qualities they believe are to be “feminine.” This may include being naive, passive, soft, sexually inexperienced, flirtatious, nurturing, graceful, and also accepting. Hypermasculinity is the exaggeration of their actions that stereotyped them and developed a behavior that is believed to be too/extra masculine.
