Gender Roles In Society

Gender roles are expectations of how a person should act, dress, and talk based on his or her sex. A majority of people conform to these roles at an early age, and will continue to carry these beliefs, often unconsciously, around with them throughout their lives, and these beliefs can affect people negatively. The message that gender roles send is that in order to be part of society, you must fit into the predisposed mold for your gender, or most importantly, what society deems as acceptable. But at the same time, try to incorporate individuality and establish a sense of self. The phrase, “let the boys be boys.” before, is often repeated by parents regarding their sons. So what makes a boy, a boy? Bulging muscles? G.I. Joe like characteristics? Short hair? Wearing blue? Boys must learn what boys and men like, what they do, and even how they think and feel. Men are encouraged to act tough, strong, aggressive, and show no weakness. According to this …show more content…
To be feminine means having qualities and or appearances traditionally associated with women. Women are expected to act a certain way, and that certain way is to be subservient to men. They are depicted as insecure human beings who want to look pretty to impress others, and in order to find a husband. Gender roles in society state that women who are opposed to them are rebellious “she-males” who wouldn’t make a good wife or mother instead of viewing them as women who are independent, powerful, and strong in society. When beautiful women in magazines or television shows always have flawless skin and a perfect complexion, the typical female viewer, who is most likely not all of these things, will be alienated by the very image in which she is supposed to identify with. Young teenage girls, whose bodies are changing and developing, are being deprived of necessary nutrients at every meal in order to match this archetype of an ideal