The Importance Of Gender Roles

Feminine characteristics are thought to be intrinsic to the female facility for childbirth and breast-feeding. Hence, it is popularly believed that the social position of females is biologically mandated to be intertwined with the care of children and a 'natural' dependency on men for the maintenance of mother-child units."

In the beginning of this article, Andrew Reiner described his experience with having a son. He stated, “I was faced with one of my biggest fears about parenthood: having a son” (Reiner, 2016, para. 6). Reiner elaborated on the growing trend of parents wanting female children instead of males. The article mentioned that adoptive parents are even willing to pay an average of $16,000 more in finalization cost for a girl instead of a boy (Reiner, 2016, para. 10). Reiner also noted that the boys-will-be-boys behavior does not originate with them (Reiner, 2016, para. 12). Instead, it is a product of their environment. He cited “... parents tend to touch infant boys less often and more roughly than infant daughters and that daughters are handled more gently and protectively… (Reiner, 2016, para. 12)” This displayed how societal norms shape behavior attributes that can be seen as non advantageous. Towards the end of the article, Reiner emphasized that we should empower our daughters and empower our sons with the same emotional literacy skill set and expansive worldview we teach our daughter (Reiner, 2016, para. 18). He finished the article with a short anecdote about how his son only wanted his attention and that is why he was acting out.

From a biological standpoint, the role of the father is demarcated by the maternal feeding

Study on gender role stereotypes has shown that there are several negative effects of stereotyping. The study on how gender role stereotyping effects children is not as prevalent because most believe that it doesn’t matter, since children are just forming their stereotype so children do not care. However, some psychologists have done some research on it, and from their research found out that children used a mixture of moral and social conventional reasoning

He helps his audience see how easy it is to naturally assume that dominance is the stronger trait, when in fact all characteristics are neutral. Society determines which characteristics are positive, negative, stronger or weaker. Devor uses scientific research to show how society’s definition of male and female characteristics “flow inevitably from evolutionary and biological sources.” (Devor 476). He argues that “feminine characteristics are thought to be intrinsic to the female facility for childbirth and breastfeeding,” forcing them to be more passive, attentive and communal. This, along with the female’s “‘natural’ dependency on men for the maintenance of the mother-child unit” gives them the title of “weaker sex” (Devor 476). Devor’s research clarifies that, from a strictly scientific perspective, men and women harbor a mutualistic relationship where the man must protect the woman, who is critically responsible for the birth and maintenance of his offspring. From a biological perspective, the two possess complementary character traits, making them equally important variables in this genetic relationship. Yet, somewhere along the lines, this evolutionary relationship seeped into modern day society, introducing the belief that the female social position is “biologically mandated to be intertwined with the care of children and a ‘natural dependency on men” (476). The modern

Sandra Bem’s book, The Lenses of Gender, discusses the three lenses of gender: androcentrism, gender polarization and biological essentialism. The first sense of gender Sandra touches on is androcentrism, which is the idea that men create the standard for society and females do not meet the standard. The most important concept in this reading is the idea that women are naturally given the caregiver role because they bear children. This is important because men are given the responsibility of defending the family and collecting food, “because they were bigger and stronger and also because they did not have their mobility limited by the continuous presence of children” (Bem, 1993, p. 31). The significance of this is that it seems to be the biggest

Great importance was placed on the preservation of traditional gender roles, specifically the role as a mother, and the separation and segregation of the worlds of men and women. Women were continuously told that they are biologically different from men to rationalize why their worlds, careers, and activities should

Women are always looked at as the person in the house making food and caring for the kids while the man goes out and works. As much as people say and believe this, we have to come to the realization that women now do just as much work as men, men can cook just as good as women and children can be cared for by either parent. In another study a group of ¨Baby ducks who lovingly follow their mothers seemed, in the mother´s absence, to just as lovingly follow wooden ducks or even vacuum cleaners.¨ Just like the ducks, human babies act respectively in the same way. They will act and feel affection from their parent whether it is the mother or the father.

In the 1950’s Talcott Parsons, a renowned sociologist described the mothers role as ‘expressive’ and the fathers role as ‘instrumental’. This means that the mother offers emotional security for her children so they can have strong healthy relationships with others . Whereas the father acts as a link in the mind of the child ‘s mother/home life and life after high school.

There is a certain difference in the care given by a mother versus the care given by a father but, in my opinion, not one that would greatly impact the child’s development if we are strictly speaking in terms of gender of the care giver. As the text book explains “Gender differences are sometimes found in details, but babies thrive in father-care or mother-care.” (Berger, 2016 pg. 148) In general terms it can be said that females are more nurturing and males offer more of a “play mate” connection to the infant, however there are exceptions. Some males can be extremely nurturing, displaying tenderness usually expected only in females and females who are cool and detached, unable to connect with their own children. In many ways I feel that this is one of those cultural beliefs that abound in our world. We expect women to be the care providers while the men provide food, shelter, and protection but I think it’s time we realize that both sexes are capable of both.

In reference to Macinois (Macionis, 2017), gender roles involve “attitudes and activities that society links to each sex” (p. 91). In society, we have gender roles males are usually the tougher and the figures of the family while the mother is the nurturing one. Unfortunately,

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.

Experimental data suggest that the past experiences of the mother are a major determinant in molding her care-giving role. Children use adults, especially loved and powerful adults, as models for their own behaviour. Children development literature, states that the powerful process of imitation or modelling socially inclines children. Kennell and Klaus explain that unless adults consciously and painstakingly reexamine these learned behaviours, they will unconsciously repeat them when they become parents (Kennell and Klaus 11). Thus the way a woman was raised, which includes the practices of her culture and the individual idiosyncrasies of her own mother's child raising practices greatly influences her behaviour toward her own infant. Bob Brazelton in The Early Mother-Infant Adjustment says that, "It may seem to many that attachment to a small baby will come naturally and to make too much of it could be a mistake... but there are many, many women who have a difficult time making this adjustment...(Brazelton 10). He points out that we must understand the ingredients of attachment in order to help, because each mother-child dyad is unique and has individual needs of it's own (Brazelton 12).

Males and females are polar opposites and act exceedingly different from each other in a variety of ways. Most parents have quite a few obvious similarities and differences in how they do things. From birth a baby takes in everything it sees and hears from its surroundings, and each part affects it’s life. Parenting, playing, communicating, disciplining, and connecting differently is only a few of the ways a mother and father can impact a child’s life.

However, in the light of recent developments I would like to differ and cite the alternative point of view. The equations in today’s world are changing and the women are actively seeking employment and pursuing very challenging careers. Though the idea of motherhood is very fascinating, the actual process of bringing up a child can be very demanding. And here is where the male’s rational, organised and practical outlook counts. They can make it tick even in such a very demanding situation and hence men are capable of being better parents.