One question that has been asked for centuries is whether men and women are equal in all aspects. This is because society has tried to categorize people based on their biological differences, which has led to various stereotypes about them.
It was believed that women were supposed to be submissive while men were dominant.
These views have changed over time since they were considered outdated and inappropriate.
This paper will discuss how gender stereotypes affect willingness to pursue non-traditional sex roles. Non-traditional sex role refers to someone who goes against social norms regarding what men and women should do. It entails performing an act that is considered taboo in a particular society. Therefore, individuals may be forced to perform certain tasks, such as cleaning or cooking, regardless of their preferences or abilities.
In the beginning, there existed traditional gender roles whereby males had to earn money and provide for their families. On the other hand, females were expected to stay home, take care of children and keep the house tidy.
Feminists realized that this viewpoint was unfair since both men and women were talented and could work outside their homes. As a result, they challenged these roles through protests until male dominance became unpopular. Feminists emphasized that men and women are equal and can share duties without considering gender.
This change led to modernity, where both genders have equal rights, unlike before when men dictated everything, including making decisions at home.
Despite the changes in perception, some societies still believe that females should not engage in activities like playing sports or wearing trousers. Women are discouraged from doing so even if they love it because it is considered masculine.
Boys cannot play with dolls because it is supposed to be a girl's thing.
If a boy shows interest in playing with Barbie or dresses up as princesses, he will face ridicule from his peers and family members. This has influenced non-traditional sex roles as most people would rather conform than be mocked by others. They fear being judged negatively or shamed, which leads them to hide their desires. Such individuals will do whatever society wants them to do instead of fulfilling themselves.
The idea of pursuing non-traditional sex roles affects one's willingness because of the pressure put on them. Some people think of themselves as 'freaks' for defying what society expects them to do. They may feel ashamed because they are going against culture. Most people will keep quiet about their preferences to avoid judgment since they want acceptance. It is thus hard for them to embrace their sexual orientation fully. As such, they develop anxiety over time since they worry about being rejected or ostracized.
Non-traditional sex roles influence career choices based on gender stereotypes. Women are mostly expected to be teachers, nurses, or housewives while men are required to work in construction sites or factories. If a female decides to become an engineer, she faces resistance because most people believe this job belongs to men only. Similarly, male nurses encounter discrimination when applying for jobs. Therefore, these individuals end up choosing careers that fit traditional norms despite having other interests.
It can be seen that gender stereotypes have affected how we view sex roles. People find it difficult to do things that go against cultural expectations since they fear rejection and embarrassment. Thus, non-traditional sex roles are not embraced because of fear of ridicule from others.
How do gender stereotypes affect willingness to pursue non-traditional sex roles?
Several studies have found that gender stereotypes can influence an individual's willingness to pursue non-traditional sex roles. One study by Cheryl Kaiser et al. (2017) showed that women who conformed more strongly to traditional female gender norms were less likely to choose traditionally male-dominated occupations such as engineering than those who did not conform as strongly.