Since the beginning of time, there have been various reasons why men and women have been separated and polarized, whether it be anatomy or social status. These roles have adapted and changed over time, but they still have wide reaching and lasting effects on our society today. Examining the conversation about gender roles isn’t a simple task, as it branches into politics, social studies, biology, economics, and many other subtopics. These roles have been challenged throughout history, and while this conversation has changed drastically over the past few hundred years, it is still an important topic to discuss and analyze today.
Gender roles begin at a very early age. From the time we are born, gender roles are forced into our lives. Children are taught through toys, TV shows, and books what is expected of them because of their gender. The roles children are taught lead them into the cult of domesticity as they grow up. This is the idea that men are supposed to be the breadwinner for the family while the mother stays at home with the children, as a housewife. For decades, women in the workplace were rare; their place was in the home. Today, more and more women are working, and some men are even choosing to stay at home and be more involved in their children's lives.
Now more than ever, gender roles are being defied and challenged. Men are spending more time with their kids; women are working; young girls have been given opportunities in sports; women are joining the United States Military. A couple hundred years ago, all of this would never have been acceptable and would have outraged society. As time has passed, the American society has loosened their expectations of men and women, but still has strong opinions on the very different roles men and women should have in society.
CLICK ON THE LINKS ABOVE TO EXPLORE VARIOUS TOPICS WITHIN GENDER ROLES
Gender roles begin at a very early age. From the time we are born, gender roles are forced into our lives. Children are taught through toys, TV shows, and books what is expected of them because of their gender. The roles children are taught lead them into the cult of domesticity as they grow up. This is the idea that men are supposed to be the breadwinner for the family while the mother stays at home with the children, as a housewife. For decades, women in the workplace were rare; their place was in the home. Today, more and more women are working, and some men are even choosing to stay at home and be more involved in their children's lives.
Now more than ever, gender roles are being defied and challenged. Men are spending more time with their kids; women are working; young girls have been given opportunities in sports; women are joining the United States Military. A couple hundred years ago, all of this would never have been acceptable and would have outraged society. As time has passed, the American society has loosened their expectations of men and women, but still has strong opinions on the very different roles men and women should have in society.
CLICK ON THE LINKS ABOVE TO EXPLORE VARIOUS TOPICS WITHIN GENDER ROLES
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