Assignment Prompt & Instructions
1. Reflecting on my life from 1990 to today, I can pinpoint several moments that shaped my awareness of gender and how societal expectations influenced my experiences. Here are three key events that stand out:
1. **Childhood Expectations (Mid-1990s)** – Growing up, I noticed early on that boys and girls were treated differently in school and at home. For example, while boys were encouraged to play rough, take risks, and be adventurous, girls were expected to be more reserved and responsible. I remember times when girls were scolded for being too loud or assertive, while the same behavior in boys was seen as natural. This made me aware that gender influenced behavior expectations from a young age.
2. **Teenage Years and Gender Roles (Early 2000s)** – During my teenage years, I became more aware of how gender influenced clothing, dating, and social expectations. I recall moments where girls were expected to dress modestly and act "ladylike," while boys were encouraged to be confident and even aggressive in dating situations. This was also a time when I started noticing how double standards applied to things like curfews, emotional expression, and career aspirations—boys were pushed toward independence while girls were often expected to be more nurturing.
3. **Professional and Social Awareness (2010s-Present)** – Entering adulthood and my career, I became even more aware of gender biases in the workplace. I noticed differences in how men and women were treated in leadership roles, with women often having to work harder to prove themselves. Additionally, through my studies in human services, I have learned how gender intersects with other social factors like race, culture, and socioeconomic status, which deepened my understanding of how gender expectations shape opportunities and barriers.
### **Differences and Similarities in Gender Lifelines**
Males and females experience different social expectations, but there are also similarities. For example, both may struggle with stereotypes—males often feel pressure to be dominant and emotionally restrained, while females may feel pressure to be nurturing and accommodating. However, the restrictions placed on gender roles are often more rigid for women, especially in areas like safety, autonomy, and leadership opportunities.
### **Cultural Background and Gender Lines**
Culture plays a huge role in shaping gender expectations. In more traditional cultures, gender roles are often more defined, with expectations for women to prioritize family and caregiving while men are seen as providers. In contrast, some cultures emphasize gender equality, allowing more fluidity in roles and expectations. My awareness of gender was influenced by both my personal experiences and exposure to different perspectives through education and media.
### **The Strongest Messages About Gender**
The strongest messages about gender often come from family, media, and societal norms. Family is usually the first source of gender learning, as children absorb messages about what is considered "appropriate" for boys and girls. The media also plays a significant role by reinforcing stereotypes through movies, advertisements, and social media. Schools, workplaces, and religious institutions further shape gender expectations by establishing norms around behavior, dress, and career paths.
Over time, perspectives on gender have evolved, and while progress has been made toward gender equality, many traditional expectations still persist. By continuing to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity, we can work toward a society where gender is not a limitation but one aspect of individual identity.
2.
The first key event I noticed at home was my brother and I had separate chores. I had to do all of the cleaning, such as dishes and dusting, while he only did things like taking out the garbage and occasionally vacuuming.
The second key event was when I was younger, I played basketball and was often asked or told I should be playing another sport that girls more so played or did cheerleading or gymnastics. I also noticed how my mom supported my brother with sports more than she did with me.
The third key event was when I was in high school, and it was time to meet with my guidance counselor to talk about colleges and what I wanted to major in. I remember her discouraging me from initially wanting to go medicine, specifically being a heart surgeon, because, according to her, that was typically something men do. Saying that girls are typically better at math while boys are better at science. This experience could be a wake-up call about how gender stereotypes limit opportunities and perpetuate inequality.
According to Fielding(2023), gender roles are a set of expectations society has for people based on their gender. For men, this often means being tough, focused on making money, and not showing emotions. Women are typically expected to be gentle, caring, and emotional, often putting men's needs first.
Gender roles are a set of expectations society has for people based on their gender. For men, this often means being tough, focusing on making money, and not showing their emotions. While women are typically expected to be gentle, caring, and emotional, often putting men's needs first. Looking at how men's and women’s journeys are alike or different, both experience important life events like school, relationships, and careers, though their experiences often diverge due to societal norms. Males and females face different pressures regarding looks, behavior, and career goals. For instance, women may feel more pressure to conform to certain appearances, while men might feel the need to be tough and hide their emotions.
Cultural background significantly shapes gender roles. In some cultures, traditional roles are strongly upheld; in others, there is more openness and equality. For example, many Western societies have made great changes towards gender equality, while other cultures may still follow traditional norms closely.
Messages about gender often come from different sources based on a person's life situation. Families play a big role in teaching gender norms from a young age. Parents, siblings, and extended family set expectations for how boys and girls should act. For example, parents may encourage boys to be independent and girls to be caring and nuturing. Children learn about gender roles at home through chores, job expectations, and even how love is shown. The media also shapes ideas about gender. Movies, TV shows, and social media create images of what it means to be male or female, influencing people's self-image and views of others. These portrayals can strengthen stereotypes, like the belief that women should be nurturing and men should be strong and assertive. Schools contribute to messages about gender as well. Teachers, lessons, and activities can affect students' views on gender roles, sometimes without meaning to. Boys might be pushed toward math and science, while girls might be guided toward reading and social studies. Even how students are treated based on gender can reinforce these norms as well.
**Question to the class:** How has the way gender is represented in movies, and social media changed in the last couple of years? What effects might these changes have on how future generations view gender roles?
– 2 years ago