Society has shaped many roles for men and women since ancient times. These social conventions have established normative patterns of behavior that are often unconscious and expected to be followed without question. Gender stereotypes and prejudices play an essential part in this process, but they do so subtly, sometimes imperceptibly. In the beginning, these norms were based on natural differences between males and females, such as biological procreation and childcare responsibilities. With time, however, gender norms became more restrictive. The expectations of how men and women should act and behave today differ widely from those during the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, society still relies heavily on these roles, even though the division between them is blurred today.
The main problem with societal norms is that they don't consider individual needs, desires, and abilities.
If you're born a man, it's assumed that you will take up physical tasks that require strength, like building or repairing things, while women take care of children and cook.
Some individuals may be better at other activities than what society expects from them based on their sex. This can create conflicts within families, workplaces, and communities when people cannot fulfill these roles due to personal preferences or limitations.
Gender expectations affect not just domestic chores but also professional careers and ambitions. Men have been conditioned to seek out high-paying jobs, while women are encouraged to focus on family life. Men who choose non-traditional professions face stigma, ridicule, and rejection, while women who aim for executive positions risk being labelled selfish and uncaring. As a result, most people end up compromising their true selves and adopt predefined roles.
Society has created rigid rules about romantic relationships too. Men and women must follow specific guidelines regarding courtship rituals, intimacy levels, commitment timelines, and relationship structure. These norms often ignore individual tastes and preferences, creating challenges in many aspects of dating and marriage. Gender expectations can influence how couples express affection, negotiate disagreements, and make decisions together. In extreme cases, they can lead to violence or divorce.
Although the media plays an important role in promoting gender stereotypes through movies, television shows, magazines, books, music, etc., it doesn't address all the nuances involved in this issue.
Men shouldn't feel ashamed if they want to stay home with children while the wife goes to work. Women shouldn't be penalized for wanting to pursue a career rather than focusing on housework. It would help everyone if society could accept these variations without judgment or shame.
How do societal norms and gender expectations shape role adoption?
The social norms and gendered roles are shaped by multiple factors such as education, family background, culture, socioeconomic status, etc. These expectations can influence an individual's identity development and lead them towards adopting specific roles that are assigned based on their sex at birth.