How Gender Roles Influence Our Identity

Gender role plays an important role in our society, whether it is for good or bad. Though men and women both have their own tasks and roles, one is no better than the other; they are both equal. In today’s society, gender roles are a very heated and essential topic to everyday living. One way in which gender influences our identity is how others perceive us as men and women. Masculinity and femininity affect people’s perspective, especially in the work place. The way we present ourselves in our gender roles can negatively and positively impact how others view and regard us as people. In contrast, gender defined roles and behavior for men and women. These roles have been placed in the society since the beginning of time. Having conversation on this topic makes people feel uncomfortable because they are being treated very unfairly compare to others. At certain time, we have always been expected to act in a certain way and the reason is different sex.

Gender role can be defined as a person’s inner sense of how male and female should feel and behave. It begins before a child is even out of the womb. A mother decorates their nursery pink or blue depends on what she’s having. It also changes people’s prospective and the way of thinking about that specific gender. For example, in most of the countries, men are the head of the house just because they go out to work thinking that women are not strong enough to work outside their house. Surprisingly, there are people who still thinks that women only belong in the kitchen or should only work at home. On the other hand, female are seen more as a house-wife who stays at home to take care of their kids and other chores. Somehow that effects on martial life.

Another way in which gender regulates our character is how we recognize ourselves. Literature and media are just a couple of sources that persuade us to see ourselves and our roles in a certain light. In the article, “Gender role attitudes and expectations for marriage”, by Shirley M. Ogletree talks about gender equality and describes that, “Gender roles and martial recent research suggests that marital quality and satisfaction as a function of gender is changing”. This shows that in these days, gender role is changing as the time is changing. Modern men and women don’t want to be dependent on anyone. They have their person ambitions and aspirations for the future. They want to be successful on every step. They are seeking freedom and satisfaction from life. According to the google research, In 2000, the women reported more divorce and less happiness than men. After marriage men are more responsible for the family income while women are more responsible for the housework and children. Based on 2012 statistics form “the bureau of labor statistics” shows that per week 40 to 43 percent of men’s work full time. It also has a negative impact. When women work full time plus they have house hold chores to do including taking care of children’s, making dinner, washing dishes. Also, there’s another differential between men and women is due to men’s increased involvement with their children’s. In these days gender difference has decreased compared to the earlier life. In modern gender role two people know what to expect from each other when they come together. Back in days my grandfather probably didn’t marry grandmother wondering where they would live because of my grandmother jobs might require relocating. Neither he cooks nor clean the house and takes care of his children. Women do all the work at home without any arguments as well as taking care of the children. However, when books portray men as only workers, family financial supporters, and completely authoritative within the household and women as only stay at home mothers who cook, clean, and care for the children all day, men and women will begin to think that those are their only options. Tradition can be good at times, but it should not limit everyone to the same expected gender roles in education and vocation.

A third way in which gender controls our identification is the option of being chosen to be the sex we are. Some parents desire to choose the gender of their child by going through a medical procedure to ensure their unborn baby’s sex. Many people stick to traditional ideas that men and women should behave in ways that fall into specific categories determined entirely on their gender. However, male or female gender specific identities are irrelevant in modern, civilized society. Gender role are social constructs developed over time and are based on natural human behavior. Some people may say that due to the fact that traditional gender roles have been practiced for so long, they should not be changed. In many modern societies today, there’s no need for traditional gender roles. As instant, many people struggle to reach their full potential. Every gender should get equal; importance no matter what. Gender roles are influenced by social beliefs that have been use for centuries. In the article, “Women Describe Their Struggles with Gender Roles in Military”, by Talya Minsberg mentions that, “according to army data, female’s soldiers are more likely than male soldiers to report depressive symptoms, and women are 10 times more likely than their male counterparts to have reported serious sexual harassment after deployment.” This illustrated that it can cause suicidal risk. Female work twice hard to get half as far, they cut their hair, change their way to talk and eliminate their so-called feminine characteristics, so they can blend in with the guys. I would be glad if this gender role will completely change from our lives. Families make big issues about gender role in India as well as other countries. I would like to share my own experience that made me cry and not to have a family like that.

In my childhood, I saw a huge gender issue in my family. My dad and his family usually complained and pinned down my mom that she doesn’t have a son. Even though my dad’s brother has the girls. The only difference was that I didn’t have a brother. My dad used to brag and argue over not having a son in his life. He gave really a hard time to my mom. When we first moved to the United States, first thing I learned from my cousins, work places, and people surrounding me was that everyone lives their life independently including women. Women do not need any men to make decisions for them. So, I decided to not listen to my dad and his family anymore. I took a stand for my mom. My mom has very different personality and she’s very naïve who doesn’t like having drama not just at home, but in general life as well. Things were getting intense, so someone had to take a stand for it. I spoke with my dad about this issue and told him that if he can’t stop this drama then he can live with his brothers, but we do not need a brother to live a good life.

Whatever gender parents choose for their child will determine their role in society for the rest of their life. Gender roles dominate our identity and part in civilization in many ways. Whether it be how others consider us, how we consider ourselves, or who our parents choose for us to be, our roles in society are an important aspect of who we are and will be. Socially, culturally, and biologically, men are taught and wired to have masculine tendencies, and women are taught and wired to have feminine tendencies. Without these unspoken roles, the world would not be what it is today. As vital as our gender roles are to our character and personality, we should not allow them to restrict what we decide to make of our lives.

Works Cited:

1. Bar-Tal, D. (2013). Intractable conflicts: Socio-psychological foundations and dynamics. Cambridge University Press.
2. Carpenter, C. (2007). Setting the stage: prenegotiation and postnegotiation phases. Negotiation Journal, 23(1), 93-103.
3. Chappell, D. W. (2008). Peace psychology and the problem of reconciliation. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 14(1), 51-74.
4. Coleman, P. T. (2006). Reconciliation as an approach to peacebuilding. Journal of Peacebuilding and Development, 3(1), 42-62.
5. De Rivera, J. (2013). Reconciliation and emotional healing in the aftermath of mass violence. Journal of Social Issues, 69(2), 209-225.
6. Lederach, J. P. (2005). The moral imagination: The art and soul of building peace. Oxford University Press.
7. Ross, M. H. (2004). The psychology of the peace process. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 28(6), 539-553.
8. Rothman, J. (2017). From reconciliation to peacebuilding: moving beyond the end of violence. International Journal of Transitional Justice, 11(1), 29-48.
9. Schirch, L. (2004). Little book of strategic peacebuilding: A vision and framework for peace with justice. Good Books.
10. Staub, E. (2011). Overcoming evil: Genocide, violent conflict, and terrorism. Oxford University Press.