Gender Roles In The Twentieth Century

Gender defined roles are continuously adapting to the new societal norms of the era. There is a surplus of historical events that have reimagined the traditional expectations of a man or women.

Gender roles have progressed since the 1950s, and there is now more equality between genders. According to the encyclopedia Credo, “Gender roles are the set of expectations a society has about males and females. These expectations are multifaceted and include specifications about appearance, personality traits, emotions, interests, abilities, and occupations” (Blair and Lenton 1). The majority of people conform to those roles very early on, but sometimes the line blurs between masculinity and femininity. The fifties were known and classified as the era of stereotyping, but as we move forward the equality of the gender roles is more recognized. Women have had to deal with the rubbish of being stereotyped as the least important gender due to

In Jamaica Kincaid’s story, Girl, a mother is talking to her daughter about all the proper things she must do to be considered a good girl to her family and to the public, and when she grows up, a proper lady. She must follow the rules that are given to her by her own mother and by society. The mother also teaches the daughter how to act when things don’t go her way. She is told that along with being a proper lady, she must also be able to get what she wants and be independent. This story was written in the late 1970’s and gender roles, for women, back then were not being “followed” because women wanted equal opportunities (Women In the Workforce). “Gender stereotypes are beliefs regarding the traits and behavioral characteristics given to individuals on the basis of their gender” (Deuhr). This essay will discuss the gender roles that were given to women in the story, during the late 70’s, and in today’s society.

Gender roles became so complex in the twentieth century due how society has changed what men and women should be like. Men take being strong and independent as a God given right to them, while females on the other hand have had to work their way up in order to be titled independently strong. From growing up to early adulthood I faced the conflict of constantly worrying about how society wants me shape myself as a dependent and self-confident which was the complete opposite of me.

Since after World War II, gender roles have played a big part in women's lives in the 1950’s. Their new job was to be mothers and wives, whereas men go out and make the money. In the 1950’s there were many gender roles that were expected for women, because of stereotypical education, jobs, and household duties.

Blee, Kathleen M., and Ann R. Tickamyer. "Racial Diffences in Men's Attitudes about Women's Gender Roles." ProQuest Research Library [ProQuest]. Springer Science & Business Media, July 2010. Web. 17 May 2016.

Gender roles have changed in a positive way by creating opportunities for women, independent women, and equality in our society between genders. While women have changed men have kept many of the same roles in society, with just a few changes. For many years women were thought of as the stay at home moms who took care of the kids and made dinner for the family. But much of that has changed especially within the twenty first century and women can now be seen taking important roles in our society.

During the Roaring Twenties, the topic that was interesting to me was the change in women’s behavior. This was due to the “Postwar Prosperity in the urban areas in which helped to release long-suppressed impulses” among women. The Flapper replaced the Victorian woman. The Flapper women change their appearance. During this period one of the best know writers named F. Scott, Fitzgerald called “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” (pg.12). The short story explores women’s feelings. Compared to the Victorian women Flapper women had short cut hair, short dresses, and sack-like dresses. In the 1920’s women embraced new fashion, personal freedom, and challenged the traditional roles of women. Flappy women were more open to their sexuality and less worried about

This week’s reading focus on changing gender roles in the 1950’s through culture, and political upheaval. In the African Girl from Paris, gender, and the role of women shows a view of women to be subservient her husband and follow what he says. However, that did not really happen in the play. Rather the play shows there was a change in the view of gender shown through Cecilia who does what she wants and does not listen to her husband. Ultimately, John expects her to follow his every command, and Cecilia does not want to live like that, given following Johns command ended in the death of Monique. While the play shows gender through defended roles, fashion allows for another two stories about gender to develop. Fashion tells two stories of national

Women are becoming the “man of the house”. One may say this is due to technical advances that have allowed women to escape domestic chores and step into the male domain. However, this is a product of the movement beyond one’s egocentricity, leading selfless movements such as anti-slavery. Feminists fought for women’s rights during the end of the 19th century: gaining the rights to possess their own property independently of their husbands, to receive their own salaries, to act as adjudicators, to go into professions like law and medicine and to go into higher education. In 2014, 7.1% of men dropout of schooling as compared to 5.9% of females (NCES). Gender roles are becoming fluid as the “new man”, a man of the house who enacts in domestic

Gender roles were sharply defined in the 19th century. Women were expected to stay at home and carry out the domestic duties as well as taking care of the children and educate them and provide a peaceful home for their husband. Women were seen as loving and caring. On the other hand, men were expected to work and earn money for the family. They would fight wars and were seen as strong and powerful. Men had more freedom and rights, such as the right to vote, than women in the 19th century. Society had created two completely separate spheres. In the medical field, men were doctors. There were laws in many states, such as, that prohibited women from becoming doctors. Women, who decided to practice medicine in the 19th century had to struggle with much opposition because it went against prevailing ideas about women’s role in society. Women belonged in the private and domestic sphere. Men belonged to competitive and immoral public sphere of industry and commerce. The women in medicine would face accusations that they were abandoning their sphere and threatening society. Due to these arguments and the fear of economic competition from female practitioner, male medical schools and hospitals denied women access to institutions. However, Elizabeth Blackwell, changed this idea of separate spheres when she decided to take on the medical field and become a doctor. Although Elizabeth Black had a natural aversion to the medical field, her

    Gender norms come from many different places and can be influenced by either sex. The mindset that men and women need to be a certain way hinder both parties. Julia Serano, transgendered women and trans and queer author and advocates article “why nice guys finish last” explains how gender binaries such as men can’t be the victim or women can’t be the aggressor or Women can’t be tough or masculine and a feminine man is undesirable and not a “man”. affect our way of life. These gender norms in society lead to unfair situations between genders and overall negatively affect how we are depicted in society. these issues can become eradicated by

Beliefs are instilled in each of us from early childhood; oftentimes, inherited through our upbringing, in relation to a trauma, or simply by repetition (Jemmer, 2006). Because humans are egocentric by nature, they often use self-centered standards to justify their beliefs, assuming that others whose beliefs are different than theirs are inaccurate (Paul & Elder, 2012). When using critical thinking, beliefs should be supported by factual evidence. In years past, women have assumed the roles of caregiver for the family and elders, food preparation, and housekeeping, while men have been the family breadwinner (Kray, Howland, Russell, & Jackman, 2017). For many, the shift in gender roles in modern day society is an adjustment for the family, extended family, friends, and even the individuals themselves (Kray, et al., 2017). Due to changes in modern day society, more women are becoming the family breadwinners, often in male-dominated jobs, and men are assuming the family caregiver roles (Kray, et al., 2017). Promoting gender equality in these changing roles is important for the masculine identity as well as enabling the female to find success in the traditional male-dominated roles (Kray, et al., 2017). Older adults often still view the female as the caregiver and assume that there is either something physically wrong with the male or that he is lazy if he is not the family breadwinner.

Society today places many ideals when it comes to proper behaviours regarding gender roles. These are considered societal norms that are widely debated and controversial. Society has created a norm, which encompasses specific expectations and rules that change the daily lives of men and women, giving them specific tasks and behaviours to abide by. These standards are known as gender roles, which are defined as distinguishing actions, thoughts, and feelings of males and females. Gender roles are said to be a result of nature, which is a natural process, every male or female is to follow. On the other hand it can be a result of nurture, which changes ones way of thinking and adapting their lifestyle to fit their environment. Either way gender roles are a part of someone’s life from the moment of their birth, as they develop, and long after that, this proves that gender roles are influential to a person’s life and development. This essay examines how media such as music, family life, and different parenting styles encompass gender roles and teaches behaviours regarding them. Therefore, gender roles define males and females are a result of nurture and not nature.

The twentieth century is known as the historically transitional period of women’s roles in society not only in America but also all over the globe. Early the twentieth century, women began to question their positions and rights. They found that their value didn’t just stop at domestic work. They no longer wanted to be seen a potential source of ”help” for men but wanted to take part in the process of society’s development like any other men. Even in literature, many famous authors started to indicate women’s role through their novels. Mostly, this foundational period of women movement was usually emphasized within the frontier context. Thus, it was believed that the transition and progress between the Western countryside and big city in the East play a big role in the changes of women themselves as well as the society’s perspective toward women. Women began to approach other opportunities to work different types of jobs other than just staying home doing housework. Also, women held many responsibilities during the westward expansion, such as managing the movement of households overland, establishing social activities in pioneer settlements, and sharing the hard labor of farming new land. Eventually, frontier towns attracted women who worked as laundresses and seamstresses, and organized church societies and other reform movements. In other words, the born of Feminism took place and was impacted by the Westward movement.