What are Gender Roles?

Gender roles refer to society’s expectations and norms regarding gender. However, these roles can change over time, and it is important to work towards gender equality, ensuring equal opportunities and behavioral expectations of women and men based on their abilities, interests and personalities.

Gender roles

Gender is certain physical or biological characteristics that make us male or female. Gender refers to culturally and socially determined gender roles. These roles also determine behavior patterns, responsibilities, sharing patterns, and our access to resources and privileges.

Here is the gender role information we often hear;

Difference Between Genus and Gender

The concept of gender was initially defined in opposition to the concept of sex, and while gender refers to the biological-anatomical differences between men and women, gender indicates that the formation of sexual identities and the relationship between them is social and cultural.

Gender encompasses the roles and responsibilities assigned to these ‘female’ and ‘male’ individuals based on social, cultural and geographic differences. That is, it is not innate, it is not physiological. It is related to how much the person behaviorally associates with “femininity” and “masculinity” according to these roles. Biological sex is innate and sex is acquired. Female gender roles are often characterized by sensitivity, understanding, sensuality, dependency; Male gender roles are characterized by traits such as leadership, dominance, and independence.

Gender roles

Gender roles are gender-related behavior patterns that society imposes on individuals. That is, what behavior a person is supposed to show in society is determined by his gender. Gender roles influence individuals’ personalities, attitudes, and behaviors.

Gender roles refer to the different roles assigned to men and women in society. Women are often seen as caring, emotional, and involved in household chores, while men are identified with strong, decisive, and leadership roles. These roles arise from the cultural and social structure of society.

Gender roles also lead to the formation of gender identities. The expected behavior patterns of women and men in society shape people’s gender identities. Men and women are supposed to express their gender identity “correctly” when they behave according to their gender roles.

Gender roles can change over time. For example, while in the past men were expected to work in high positions, women can now work in high positions. These changes occur with the change of social structures, roles and expectations.

It entails the discussion of gender roles, gender equality and gender norms. The fact that men and women have different roles in society can lead to discussions about gender equality. In addition, some gender roles can lead to problems such as discrimination and inequality.

Gender approach in children

From the moment the baby is born, cultural and social conditioning also play a role. Gender begins to emerge with the different names given to baby girls and boys, with girls wearing pink and boys wearing blue. This is continued by the different toys bought based on the gender of the children. As they get older, the roles become well defined.

The first question everyone asks when a baby is born is “Boy or Girl?” is the question. Appropriate greeting cards and gifts are immediately received, assuming that the two genders have developed different personalities from then on. “Pink” for the little girl and “blue” for the boy means much more than just different colors of clothes and items. It precedes a whole series of ideal characteristics that are sought and ultimately “discovered” in the new baby based on perceived biological and psychological differences.

Girls are ‘kind, gentle, sensitive, domestic and dependent, in other words, passive. Boys, on the other hand, are “aggressive, dominant, ambitious, strong and independent, that is, they are active. These sex-determined ideal characteristics are expected to be acquired first by the mother and the father. The woman appears as the subject of this process with the role of the mother and the man as the father.

It can be said that while buying dolls and toy kitchen utensils for girls, buying cars, repair tools and equipment for boys actually drives the cognitive process of children. Therefore, from play age, children should not be assigned a role by placing them in certain shapes. You must raise boys and girls in the family with equal treatment.

Behavioral attitudes imposed on men and women in society

The differences in attitudes between the sexes reflect what is expected of them as a society. For example, in advertisements, women are always in the kitchen, taking care of the children, cooking, sitting with the neighbors and their only concern is the neighbors couch. Men, on the other hand, work very hard, bring home the money, the best man drives the car, and display a harsh parental attitude that children fear.

Female gender roles are often characterized by sensitivity, understanding, sensuality, dependence; Male gender roles are characterized by traits such as leadership, dominance, and independence.

Masculinity is ingrained in young men’s mindsets in many different ways. There is social pressure on them to deny their feelings, to be physically strong, to prove their superiority by suppressing or competing with others. Control, the use of power over others and violence can be seen as symbols of masculinity. This kind of socialization belittles the humanity in each of us. Men and young boys are treated harshly to prepare them for military service. War itself is gender violence against men, as men and boys they have to kill.

Girls, on the other hand, are often socialized to ignore their intelligence, to listen carefully, to be decent and submissive, and to prove their worth by putting the needs of others before their own. Passivity and silence in the face of injustice can be seen as a sign of femininity. In contrast, this kind of socialization ignores human values ​​and brings sacrifice to the fore. It is a propaganda tool used to protect women and children, cause or justify war. War itself is gender violence against women, rape and sexual violence against women are used as weapons of war.

As a result, gender awareness education should be given at a very early age, individuals should not be molded and molded.

What are Gender Roles?

Gender roles are gender-related behavior patterns that society imposes on individuals. These behavioral patterns express the social roles and expectations of men and women.

How are gender roles formed?

Gender roles arise from the cultural and social structure of society. The social roles and expectations of women and men are formed as a result of this structure.

Why are gender roles important?

Gender roles influence people’s personalities, attitudes and behaviors. These roles also create people’s gender identities and gendered perceptions. Gender roles also talk about gender equality and gender norms.

Can gender roles change?

Yes, gender roles can change over time. For example, while in the past women were not expected to work in high positions, today this situation seems to have changed. These changes occur with the change of social structures, roles and expectations.