Gender Qualities Of Gender Essay
Throughout history, many professions have been categorized as either masculine or feminine. Whenever people hear the words teacher, nurse, stewardess, or prostitute, they usually think of these professions as feminine. Interestingly, while there is little linguistic symbolism in most feminine careers, many masculine professions end in “man.” Out of the many professions that end in “man,” the words “policeman,” “fireman,” “chairman,” “businessman,” and “weatherman” seem to be five of the most commonly used ones, from my personal experience. The meanings of these words, and especially the masculine qualities they imply, such as strength, bravery, dominance, and intelligence, describe gender stereotypes in past societies. However, the emergence
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I believe that when these terms were created, fields which required leadership skills and an education, such as these, where heavily male-dominated because domination is historically a masculine trait. From its origins, our society was structured so that only men were in leadership positions. In fact, throughout history, most the famous businessmen and leaders have been men, such as Warren Buffet and Henry Ford. However, today, there are many female leaders in the business industry, including Marissa Mayer and Meg Whitman, proving that careers in business are no longer male-exclusive. Yet, the suffixes of businessman and chairman describe societal expectations that people in these careers should be male. However, currently, the terms chairperson and businesswoman are relatively common. In fact, the first known use of “businessman” was in 1826, while the first known use of “businesswoman” was only in 1844 (Merriam-Webster). More shockingly, the first known use of “chairman” was in 1592, while the first known use of “businesswoman” was only in 1971 (Merriam-Webster). The emergence of gender-neutral and feminine versions of businessman and chairman, again, showcases a shift from “traditional” gender norms to more modern ones, in which men and women are treated relatively more
I believe that when these terms were created, fields which required leadership skills and an education, such as these, where heavily male-dominated because domination is historically a masculine trait. From its origins, our society was structured so that only men were in leadership positions. In fact, throughout history, most the famous businessmen and leaders have been men, such as Warren Buffet and Henry Ford. However, today, there are many female leaders in the business industry, including Marissa Mayer and Meg Whitman, proving that careers in business are no longer male-exclusive. Yet, the suffixes of businessman and chairman describe societal expectations that people in these careers should be male. However, currently, the terms chairperson and businesswoman are relatively common. In fact, the first known use of “businessman” was in 1826, while the first known use of “businesswoman” was only in 1844 (Merriam-Webster). More shockingly, the first known use of “chairman” was in 1592, while the first known use of “businesswoman” was only in 1971 (Merriam-Webster). The emergence of gender-neutral and feminine versions of businessman and chairman, again, showcases a shift from “traditional” gender norms to more modern ones, in which men and women are treated relatively more