Essay on The Social Construction of Gender Roles - 848 Words

The Social Construction of Gender Roles Gender or sex roles are the expected patterns of behavior assumed to follow from a persons sex. Gender roles are not natural. They are formed by and vary within society, culture, geographic location, politics and time. There is a strong relationship between the social construction of gender and compulsory heterosexuality. People are programmed into certain gender roles and social categories through socialization and interaction with others. Expectations about appropriate gender role characteristics and sexual behavior have evolved throughout history, especially for women. In the 1700’s and 1800’s, the men’s role included earning an†¦show more content†¦They were paid considerably less than men and had the dual role of housewife. In 1920, women won the right to vote and they were gradually moving into the male-dominated labor force, but gender roles were not changing much. Due to the World War II draft, many women entered the labor force and even helped run the country. Upon the return of the veterans, many women were forced back into their homes. However, the opportunities for women were broadening and some women began making careers for themselves outside of the home. The 1960’s saw many feminist movements and in 1963 the Equal Pay Act was passed by Congress which enticed more women to get out of the house and into better careers. Men had difficulties accepting and adjusting to changes in women’s roles. They had to adjust to having women around them at their job sites and some felt that women were filling positions that an unemployed man should have been given. Men also felt that the traditional male role as provider was being threatened, so some men did not allow their wives to enter the labor force. Most men, however, have gradually accepted women in the career world. Today, men are even taking on roles that were once deemed ‘female’ like nursing, homemaking and teaching. There are many social agents that cause the construction of gender roles. Parents and family are important socialization agents in the gender role development of children. They have different values and attitudes regarding maleShow MoreRelatedSocial Construction Of Gender And Gender Roles903 Words   |  4 Pages While observing interactions between people of both different and the same genders in the park at Orange Circle, it becomes evident how the social construction of gender and standard gender roles may or may not follow archetypal manner and can be applied differently depending on the individuals. Some of the observations recorded during this period have provided evidence that gender roles and gender stereotypes may be followed or applied in an archetypal way. However, what is most interesting isRead MoreGender Roles And Social Construction1252 Words   |  6 PagesGender roles have influenced our society our whole lives, without us realizing it. They determine the way in which we, as members of society, behave among others and what is deemed socially acceptable and what is not, all based on our gender. From the moment children take their first breaths, they are exposed to the gender roles society has set. This is all part of a social construction to categorize the two genders into believing that they should act in a particular matter, using toys as an advertisingRead MoreSocial Construction Theory And Gender Roles1179 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Social construction theory, in contrast, argues that gender roles, behaviours, and differences are not the natural consequence of minor biological differences, but are instead the result of historical, economic, and cultural forces which have pushed women into social and economic roles and men into others. 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When discussing gender, we are faced with two opposing ideas: biology versus social construct, or ‘nature versus nurture.’ From a social constructivist viewpoint, gender is not an inherent truth but constructed through society’s expectations and norms. Those who believe in the biological repudiate these claims, firmlyRead MoreSocial Construction Of Race And Gender1529 Words   |  7 PagesSocial Construction of Race and Gender, Patriarchy and Prejudice and Discrimination in the Society Social construct may be defined as the social mechanism or a category which has been created by the society. It may either be a perception which is created by an individual or an idea which is constructed as a result of the culture. The present society has created a large number of constructs which are not good. In this paper, the discussion will be done on the social construction of raceRead MoreDistinction Between Sex And Gender1740 Words   |  7 Pages distinction between sex and gender be defined? 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Using a variety of evidence, this essay will first define what a nuclear family is, and ho w it is socially constructedRead MoreGender Identity As An Axis Of Social Order1611 Words   |  7 PagesGender is considered an axis of social order. Its categorisation into masculinity and femininity is social constructed and maintained in everyday life (Clark and Page, 2005; Mackie, 1994). Gender identity is our innermost understanding of our self as ‘male’ or ‘female’. Most people develop a gender identity that matched their biological sex (their body). Gender identity can be affected by, and is different from one society to another, depending on the way the members of society evaluate the role