Due
to society's view on gender, each and every individual unconsciously holds a
stereotype of what each sex is supposed to be, to do, or to become of. People
of either sex are extremely affected by the continuing issues of gender
inequality and are held accountable to face such unfair expectations. Gender
roles are extremely ecumenical in today's society. They are society's ideas of
how men and women are expected to behave and are usually shaped by cultural
norms. Men and women are both victims of gender inequality, but men's issues,
however, are sometimes gone unnoticed. As we grow up, we are taught how to
behave from those around us. We are introduced to the certain roles that are
linked to our biological sex. Gender roles determine how males and females should
think, speak, dress, and interact within the context of society. While men are
to be seen as strong, brave, careless, tough, aggressive, superior, and
dominant; women are to be seen as frail, sensitive, emotional, passive,
subordinate, and homely. We
are given our roles whilst in the womb. We are taught our roles at the age
of birth. Society is quick to dress the boys in blue and the girls in pink. As
we grow older parents supply us with the appropriate toys. Boys are given
trucks, toy guns, and superhero figurines, whist girls are given dolls and
cooking sets. This promotes aggression in boys and nurturing in girls. This
continues on later in life as males become more prone to choose professions in
law enforcement, politics, and military, whilst women are more prone to choose
professions such as child or health care and social work. Our society allows a
degree of flexibility when it comes to acting out our gender roles. To a
certain degree, men can acquire some feminine roles and women can acquire some
masculine roles, however, if they choose to step outside of what society
considers acceptable, they will begin to face consequences. Once an individual
steps outside of their gender role in an obvious way, he or she will face the
aftermath.
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