What Is A Social Norm Important To You Essay

Social norms are the standards that are viewed as acceptable by a group of individuals or by society. Individuals look to conform because they do not want to be looked down upon. In most occasions when an individual does not conform they will be excluded from the group. A group is a sense of security to most individuals, therefore when they are left without a group to conform with, they will feel isolated. We will be conducting a study, analyzing the reaction of complete strangers conforming to the social norms expected at a shopping mall to individuals who are not conforming to the social norm by acting silly and breaking these norms.

Gender roles are categories that characterize what it means to be feminine and masculine in society, on how people think about gender as they relate to one another (Adams et al., 2013). For example, women are expected to be accommodating and emotional, while men are usually expected to be self-confident and aggressive, this shows how men and women are to behave in society. However, these sayings were taught to individuals based on norms, or standards created by a society which is called Gender Socialization (p. 318). Growing up as a child, we were taught as girls to play with dollhouses, pretend kitchen sets, cleaning supplies and play dress up. Whereas boys are taught to play with cars, sports equipment’s, action figures, and weapons. However, if a boy was playing with dollhouses, or playing dress up, he would be considered gay, or not masculine and looked down upon by society, and families. The same goes for girls who play with boy toys, or dresses as a tomboy, this is what we are taught to play with at a young age. Our families tell us how to behave, our schools tell us what

Following the customs and fashion of a social group is a key part of social interaction. For example, stated in Kivisto, “To follow custom is to be accepted by your group” (101). When a person is involved in a group, it is easy to be accepted when you follow the customary behavior and fashions of that group. This customary behavior provides security of knowing what is right within a group without the social risk associated with individual choice (101). In many instances, it is often easier to follow the group norms instead of taking the risk of making an individual decision. Simmel had many thoughts about fashion and customs. Stated in the text, “Simmel thought that, in his time, fashion was escaping the bounds of mere personal accouterments

Living in 21st century United States, being a much more liberal and inclusive environment than prior decades, gender “roles” and their normalities are being severely questioned and challenged. Americans have defined and established gender stereotypes that have become a critical part of how we look at gender roles and create biases about each gender. Stereotypes assume people who 'belong ' to a group will appear, behave, look, speak or sound like others from that group. The values, norms, practices, behaviors and traditions associated with the group are shared by all members of the group. For example, gay men are promiscuous, women are maternal and men don 't show emotions. Stereotypes are often dismissive, negative, and they are sometimes

On this site, there is an article called, “What Are Gender Roles and Stereotypes,” which goes over gender stereotypes along with providing definitions and examples of men and women who have had stereotypes against them. At the beginning of the article it talks about gender roles, which are roles that are given to people based on their gender that dictate how they should act. For example, if you were a male, you are expected to be strong aggressive, and be in charge of the household, while if you are female you are expected to act feminine and be

When it comes to gender, it is as easy to determine as quantum physics; all the pieces are there but it is impossible to put together. Without hard evidence, all people can do is to make assumptions. The two biggest arguments on how gender is determined right now is based upon social and biological construct. Arguing for the sociological aspect is Aaron Devor, writer of the article, “Gender roles behaviors and attitudes”. Dover believes that, “People use femininity and masculinity to claim and communicate their membership in their assigned, or chosen, sex or gender” (Devor 505). Devor considers that society has certain roles that are predetermined towards males, females and anyone in between. A man has to act a certain way to be masculine and a female a certain way to be considered feminine. On the not so opposite side of the spectrum is Deborah Blum, author of the work, “The gender blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?”. Blum doesn’t necessarily disagree with Devor, but asks the question, “Do the gender roles of our culture reflect an underlying biology, and, in turn, does the way we behave influence that biology” (Blum 512). Blum is arguing that maybe it was our genetic makeup that built the foundation on how a gender should act. Both authors present valid points for their arguments, but in the end, it is Blum who comes over on top with her usage of tone, evidence, and the use of a counterargument.

The behaviors and societal norms we associate with male and female are socially constructed. As Dr. Thompson states in the film “boys and girls are far more human and far more the same than they are different.” However,

Social norms are the rules of behavior that are considered acceptable in a group or society. Typically, the norms are not challenged because people are afraid of the consequences. When someone breaks a social norm, they risk ridicule, embarrassment, and possibly punishment. Some examples of social norms include shaking hands when meeting someone, making direct eye contact, and driving on the right side of the road in the United States. For my assignment, I decided to violate personal space norms and conversational norms.

Social norms have always played a major role in today's society. A social norm is how we consider behaviors to be appropriate. However, norms are the rules and guidelines regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable (Mills 1959). Social norms are essentially the means by which any given society may construct and organize itself. They are the ways in which a society defines what tends to be acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to an individual. Different views change over time whether it is through history or an individual themselves who tends to age. Sometimes staying up to date with society and keeping up with the new trends can be unhealthy and have an effect on individuals and the public. The social norm I choose to break was walking into a public men's restroom at a restaurant while out with friends. I choose this social norm because it shows the men's reactions and behaviors once I entered their restroom. However, their behaviors showed how society acts toward certain situations in certain places and what roles are played during the process.

The behavior towards people’s judgement is based on what gender they are can be summarized in one movie Grease. Grease made 159 million dollars in the year 1978 alone, but the movie itself shows the double standards on gender with two main a groups of teenage high school students. The testosterone filled group of males known as T- Birds and the Barbie pink female group known as The Pink ladies, make up the popular crew in their school. If you aren’t part of these two groups than you are considered a lack of interest and a waste of existence. The movie also contains viewpoints of conformity taken place in high school that many teenagers experience in real life, by this I mean the movie is a reflection of what is taught in society since birth.

Norms are defined as beliefs and practices that are followed by society and are culturally approved (Wade and Ferre, 165). Gender norms have always existed but changed through time. In order to determine how drastic the change has been and how it affected how individuals, interviews must be conducted. Four individuals were interviewed on how gender norms have changed during their lifetime. The interviewees consisted of a 50-year-old woman, a 19-year-old woman, a 55-year-old man and a 20-year-old man.

Such expectations or stereotypes leads to the belief that men are better suited for certain things and women are better suited for others, being that society has appropriated and defined what is appropriate “behavior”. Because of this idea that society

serve as a positive role model for others in the work place through personal work planning . Role modelling can serve to reinforce the desired behaviour in the role model themselves, as well as encourage others to emulate their actions ,values and behaviours within the working environment.

The social expectations and stereotypes associated to certain genders plays a major role in how people are discriminated against. Gender is only one aspect of a person’s identity, yet society, especially in the past, places a large amount of value on a person’s gender. In my own experiences, people would consider me incapable of performing certain tasks for the sole purpose that I am a girl. They disregard, mock and belittle me for being a young woman, rather than see me as something more than my gender. Worse yet, I sometimes think myself inadequate, just because I am a girl, due to the sexist messages that bombard me on a daily basis by the media and people in my life.

Society has clearly defined boundaries between what is considered to be male or female. The development of an individual’s gender role is formed by interactions with those in close proximity. Society constantly tells us how we should look, act and live based on gender. Family, friends and the media have a tremendous impact on how these roles are formed and the expected behavior of each gender role.