Posted: January 18th, 2023

Gender Roles in the Family

Gender Roles in the Family

Gender roles are the expectations and behaviors that society assigns to different sexes based on their biological characteristics. Gender roles can influence various aspects of family life, such as parenting, household chores, decision making, and power dynamics. In this paper, I will examine how gender roles are constructed and maintained in the family, and how they affect the well-being and satisfaction of family members.

One of the main factors that shape gender roles in the family is socialization. Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the norms and values of their culture and society. Socialization begins from an early age, as children observe and imitate the behaviors and attitudes of their parents and other significant adults. For example, if a child sees that his father is the breadwinner and his mother is the homemaker, he may internalize that this is the appropriate way for men and women to behave in a family. Similarly, if a child sees that her mother is submissive and her father is dominant, she may learn that this is the expected power relation between genders in a family (Lorber 2017).

Another factor that influences gender roles in the family is the media. The media is a powerful source of information and entertainment that can shape people’s perceptions and expectations of gender roles. The media often portrays stereotypical images of men and women in different roles and situations, such as men being strong, rational, and adventurous, and women being weak, emotional, and domestic. These images can reinforce the traditional gender roles in the family, or challenge them by showing alternative or diverse representations of gender roles. For example, a TV show that depicts a single father who takes care of his children and does household chores can challenge the stereotype that men are not suited for domestic work. On the other hand, a TV show that depicts a married woman who sacrifices her career and personal goals for her husband and children can reinforce the stereotype that women’s primary role is to be caregivers (Wood 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online).

The consequences of gender roles in the family can vary depending on how they are enacted and negotiated by family members. Some studies have found that families that adhere to traditional gender roles tend to have lower levels of marital satisfaction, communication, intimacy, and equality than families that adopt more egalitarian or flexible gender roles (Coltrane 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers). This is because traditional gender roles can create role strain, role conflict, and resentment among family members who feel constrained or oppressed by their assigned roles. For instance, a woman who works outside the home may feel stressed and guilty for not fulfilling her expected role as a homemaker, while a man who stays at home may feel emasculated and unappreciated for not fulfilling his expected role as a breadwinner (Coltrane 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers).

However, some studies have also found that families that adopt non-traditional or alternative gender roles may face challenges and difficulties from external sources, such as social stigma, discrimination, or lack of support. For example, a woman who earns more than her husband may face criticism or hostility from her relatives, friends, or co-workers who view her as violating the norm of male dominance. Similarly, a man who takes on more domestic responsibilities may face ridicule or rejection from his peers or superiors who view him as violating the norm of male competence (Wood 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online).

Therefore, gender roles in the family are complex and dynamic phenomena that are influenced by various factors and have diverse effects on family members. It is important to recognize that there is no one right or wrong way to perform gender roles in the family, but rather multiple ways that can be adapted to different contexts and preferences. The key is to respect and support each other’s choices and contributions, and to communicate openly and honestly about one’s needs and expectations.

References

Coltrane, Scott. 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers. “Gender Roles in Families.” In Sociology: Understanding
and Changing the Social World (Brief Edition), edited by Steven E Barkan,
10.1-10.14. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing.

Lorber, Judith. 2017. “The Social Construction of Gender.” In Mapping the Social
Landscape: Readings in Sociology (Eighth Edition), edited by Susan J Ferguson,
103-110. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Wood, Julia T. 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online. Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender & Culture (Thirteenth
Edition). Boston: Cengage Learning.

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